Details

Background

Transparency International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme (TIMP) aims to contribute to the improvement of the lives of people across the MENA region by engaging, empowering and strengthening the capacities of civil society organisations, academia, policy makers and the public in addressing corruption and promoting transparency, accountability and integrity. As part of TIMP, Transparency International (TI) is seeking to work with and establish academic networks on integrity. The aim of this network is to foster indigenous research on corruption and to facilitate information sharing between researchers, activists, policy makers, and the broader population. The academic network began in Egypt in January 2013. It is expected that the academic network initiative will help engage upcoming scholars, policy makers and civil society activists in the fight against corruption, and provide a link between academia, policy makers, and anti-corruption activists.

Hosted by the American University in Cairo, a first gathering of key stakeholders took place on 21-22 January 2013 to brainstorm on the specific shape and characteristics of the network and the activities that should be undertaken. The meeting participants included prominent academics working on issues related to integrity and corruption from across the academic spectrum, representatives from civil society organisations and donors. It was decided that the Egypt Academic Network on Integrity will focus on: building a knowledge repository on corruption and integrity research produced in Egypt and the MENA region; facilitate knowledge-sharing between researchers, civil society, policy makers and the broader population; and foster innovation through the involvement of young scholars. A regional academic conference focusing on the topic “integrity risks in the public-private interface” is planned in Egypt for the end of 2013. 

Overview of Role

We are currently seeking a motivated young Egyptian scholar with a strong background in corruption / integrity research to act as the editor of the Egypt Academic Network on Integrity. The editor will play a crucial role in guiding and implementing the activities of the network. She / he will be responsible for reaching out and coordinating with the academic community working on corruption and integrity in Egypt (and the broader MENA region, where applicable) to help broaden network outreach, help build up an online knowledge repository on research produced in Arabic and English, facilitate knowledge exchange between members of the network, assist in the preparations of the year-end academic conference in collaboration with the TI secretariat and the conference advisory committee, and help administer other network activities.

Key Tasks

Specific duties of the Editor are as follows:

• Manage online knowledge-sharing platform: The editor will be responsible for managing the content of an Arabic and English bilingual online knowledge-sharing platform. This platform will act both as a knowledge repository for corruption and integrity research and a communication mechanism between network members through forums and blogs. The editor will be responsible for moderating forums, editing blog posts by network members for publication on the site and regularly updating the site with new research, including by identifying independently and in coordination with network members relevant research from Egypt and the MENA region. Moreover, the Editor will liaise with the global Anti-Corruption Research Network run by TI and ensure that the outputs and activities of the Egypt academic network are featured on the global platform. Conversely, she / he will ensure that the Egypt academic network members are updated on interesting new research or events featured on the global platform.
• Coordinate with network members: The editor will act as the first point of contact for members of the network. She / he will be responsible for maintaining an up to date member directory, respond to members’ requests and keep the members updated on the activities of the network.
• Outreach: The editor will assist in increasing the outreach of the network and ensure that the network includes a multi-disciplinary and diverse group of academics and researchers who are working on corruption, integrity and related topics in Egypt and the MENA region. The outreach efforts should also include students, civil society organisations and policy makers who are interested in these topics.  
• Assist in academic network preparations: The editor will work closely with the TI secretariat and the conference advisory committee to help with the preparations for the year-end academic conference which will take place in Egypt. Tasks can include promotion of the conference through various online fora and social media platforms, manage conference communication and announcements, assistance to the conference advisory committee as needed, and logistical preparations.
• Other: Assist in coordinating and administering other network-related activities, as necessary.

Knowledge, experience, interests and skills

• Currently enrolled in graduate or post-graduate programme focusing on governance, integrity, corruption and related topics. Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply.
• In-depth knowledge of the field of corruption and integrity research, particularly focusing on the MENA region.
• Excellent communication skills in Arabic and English.
• Strong writing and editing skills in Arabic and English.
• Experience working with online content management systems, blogging, forums and other social media tools.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.
• Experience coordinating online communities and networks is desirable.
• Experience with the use of video and new media to enable learning is desirable

How to apply

To apply for this position please send:

• A maximum one page cover letter (outlining your motivation for undertaking the Editor post),
• An up-to-date CV
• Two brief writing samples (500 words or less) in both Arabic and English, and
• A completed VAT form

To: editoregyptani@transparency.org
The closing date for applications is 20 April 2013.