International Peace Information Service (IPIS)

Summer Internships

Antwerp, 2012.

The International Peace Information Service (IPIS), a research NGO which works on Sub-Saharan Africa, is looking for two research interns to support its research on business and human rights. The interns will work at the Antwerp office, 45 minutes from Brussels, Belgium.

We are seeking two independent and highly motivated people, each to work on one of the following topics:

1. The interaction between oil contracts, multinational corporations and human rights in Uganda;

2. The impact of Chinese investments in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a small and dynamic team, the intern will have the opportunity to work in close cooperation with the research team on corporate social responsibility in a leading research NGO in the fields of natural resources, arms trade and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in sub-Saharan Africa. The intern will undertake substantial research on issues of business and human rights, contributing to the work and publications of IPIS. The intern will also assist the researcher corporate social responsibility’s everyday work and in the activities of the organisation, including, when possible: attending meetings with officials and other organisations; participating in project design; and following projects up. Depending on upcoming the possibilities and the progression of interns’ work, they may have the possibility to introduce their own research interests. This has the potential to contribute to an IPIS publication, for which the intern would bear considerable responsibility.

Required Qualifications and experience

■ Good knowledge of international law or human rights law;

■ Excellent research and writing skills;

■ The ability to prepare syntheses and work independently;

■ An understanding of recent evolutions in Business and Human Rights.

Desirable Qualifications and experience

■ A good command of written and spoken French;

■ Knowledge of the African system of human rights protection;

■ Familiarity with international conflict dynamics;

■ Knowledge about EU law and policies.

Time commitment

At least 3 full days per week for a minimum of 4.5 months, or full time for a minimum of 3 months.

Start Date

Mid to Late June 2012.

Application Deadline

30 May 2012.

To Apply

Please submit the following electronically to vacatures@ipisresearch.be:

1. Curriculum vitae;

2. A cover letter describing how you meet the specified requirements;

3. A unedited writing sample of recent work.

About IPIS

The International Peace Information Service (IPIS) is a research NGO which works on Sub-Saharan Africa. We focus on arms trade, exploitation of natural resources and corporate social responsibility. IPIS also devotes attention to post-conflict reconstruction, sustainable development, human rights and environmental issues.

We carry out in-depth research into the exploitation of natural resources and put into perspective issues as the redistribution of rents, poor governance and corruption, the financing of conflicts, and corporate social responsibility. For more information please contact us at info@ipisresearch.be or visit our website at http://www.ipisresearch.be/.