CSDG/ ECOWAS Peace and Security Mentoring Programme

The Conflict, Security and Development Group (CSDG) at King’s College London (KCL) in collaboration with the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is calling for applications for the MA [Master of Arts] Studentships and Mentoring Programme 2007-8.

Funded by the United Kingdom (UK) Department for International Development, the Programme will bring together 5 West Africans at the early stages of their career to undertake a MA and training programme in Conflict, Security and Development at the KCL. The training will conclude with an attachment to the ECOWAS Commission for practical experience in the field of peace and security.

The programme is designed to expose young African professionals to the complexities of conflict, security, and development and to equip them for careers in this field. The programme’s aims include:

1. increasing the pool of West Africans versed in the field of Peace and Security;
2. ensuring that African regional organisations such as ECOWAS have better access to knowledge and expertise relevant to their peace and security mechanisms;
3. injecting skills within regional and national centres of excellence so that they can strengthen their policy research capacity on peace, security, and development topics; and
4. developing the existing network of African scholars working in the field whilst linking them with the peace and security mechanisms of relevant regional institutions.

Programme Content

This is an 18-month programme, with 3 components. The first comprises the MA programme and mentoring sessions based at KCL. The first part of this phase entails full-time study at KCL, where successful candidates will pursue an MA in Conflict, Security and Development and attend specifically designed training sessions on African peace and security. During this period, they will conduct visits to several UK institutions working in the field of peace and security and undertake research visits to partner institutions in Europe. The period of study in the UK will end with a simulation seminar during which a mock conflict management situation will be practiced.

The second component entails action research aimed at exposing successful applicants to the real world of policy actors, while undertaking research directly relevant to the work of key African regional organisations, particularly ECOWAS. This will be based on collaboration with CSDG partner institutions, including, for example, the New York University Centre on International Co-operation (NYU-CIC), the International Peace Academy (IPA), also in New York, and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP).

During the period of their attachment to these institutions, Fellows will be expected to produce written work, based on analysis of issues of immediate policy relevance to the work of ECOWAS and/or the African Union. The subject of their research will have been agreed with the facilitating institutions and the sponsoring African organisations at an earlier period.

The third component of the CSDG/ ECOWAS MA Studentships and Mentoring Programme will be based at the ECOWAS Commission, where participants on the programme will be based for a minimum period of six months. Here, participants will follow a structured programme applying knowledge gained through training while also gaining direct experience of the workings of the organisation. Under the supervision of senior staff working in the field of peace and security, they will participate in and contribute to the day-to-day work of the organisation. They will also be exposed to the complexities of the sub-region and to the stack realities confronting the practitioners operating on peace and security in West Africa.

Terms of the MA Studentship and Mentoring Programme

Successful applicants will have the status of full time MA students on Conflict, Security, and Development Masters course. It is necessary for applicants to make individual successful applications to the MA Conflict, Security, and Development in the Department of War Studies. Click here for details of the MA Conflict Security and Development.

The position is funded and will include a stipend of UK£825 per month for the first 12 months based in London. In addition, a one-off sum of UK£750 will be made available to each student upon their arrival in the UK, to assist with winter clothing and book expenses. Successful candidates will be able to apply for University of London accommodation, although they can make their own alternative accommodation arrangements. Candidates are strongly advised to make all necessary accommodation arrangements prior to taking up their positions at KCL. Click here for information on KCL student accommodation.

For the period of attachment in ECOWAS, participants will receive a stipend of US$1,000 per month, exclusive of medical insurance expenses; in addition to a US$500 one-off allowance to enable them settle in to their location. Fellows are expected to find their own accommodation during this phase also.

Click here for an on-line application.