The Program on Arab Reform and Democracy (ARD) at Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, a center within the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, seeks a full-time researcher to manage and coordinate all operations of the Arab Reform and Democracy project, “Entrepreneurship after the Arab Spring”. This is an exciting opportunity for an emerging scholar to be involved with an active research program producing timely policy-relevant research, and to engage in on-the-ground work in the Arab world.

The position is half-time research and half-time project management. In the former, the candidate will be a research scholar at CDDRL, and in that capacity will conduct academic research and writing relevant to the themes of the ARD program, while also participating broadly in the intellectual life of the Center. The post would be most suitable for an expert on entrepreneurship, particularly the legal and regulatory framework and the policy environment governing entrepreneurship in the Arab world, who must also be familiar with the political economies and the civil society landscape of Tunisia and Egypt specifically, and the Arab world generally.

Working under and reporting to the ARD Program Manager, duties of the position include the following: 

* Create, design, and implement research methodologies for the project
* Conduct background research on entrepreneurship policy and economic reform
* Lead fieldwork, including interviews, surveys, and focus groups in the Arab world
* Research, identify topics and focus to implement workshops with experts and stakeholders in the Arab world
* Define topics for, write and prepare first author and co-authored working papers, policy papers, op-eds, and other analysis pieces
* Coordinate communication with the project advisory board
* Oversee, extend, improve and manage the content and functionality of the Program’s website; write and solicit content for the website; ensure information on website is current, accurate, professional, and widely accessible; stimulate use of the project website
* Perform wider ARD research and administrative tasks as appropriate


QUALIFICATIONS:

* Extensive knowledge of economic policy and civil society in Egypt and Tunisia, particularly in relation to entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, as well as of the role of international actors in this context
* Extensive research experience in survey design, both qualitative and quantitative, as well as in running focus groups and conducting field interviews
* Excellent organizational and communication skills
* Fluency in English and Arabic (spoken and written); (working ability in French is also desirable)
* Willingness and ability to travel extensively to the Arab world (mainly Egypt and Tunisia)
* Excellent leadership skills and the ability to be pro-active and creative and to work independently
* Excellent problem-solving and multitasking skills
* MA in political economy, international relations, development, economics, political science, or a relevant social science required, PhD desired. 
* Minimum of 3 to 5 years of related research experience required (includes PhD work).

The position is available for a period of one year, starting January 2013.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 9, 2012.

For consideration please submit resume and cover letter.

Academic/policy writing samples will be required from all shortlisted candidates.

Background check will be required for all final candidates.