Terms of Reference:
Development of the ‘’Tana Papers’’ for the 2023 edition of the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa. Call prepared by The Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), TANA Forum Secretariat.
- Introduction
The Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University is a prominent Institute for higher education, research and policy dialogues on peace and security in Africa. Established in 2007, it ranks among the top 46 educational establishments and think tanks in Sub-Saharan Africa according to the Global Go to Think Tank Index Reports. IPSS was also selected as the Centre of Excellence for Post Conflict Societies by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) in 2017. Moreover, the Institute runs the Africa Peace and Security Programme (APSP), a joint initiative with the African Union, which is mandated by the African Union’s Executive Council to take up the intellectual challenge of finding African-led solutions to peace and security challenges in Africa
IPSS serves as the Secretariat of the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa that has been organised every year since 2012. The Forum brings prominent individuals, heads of state and government, policymakers and other experts to an informal gathering where they discuss African peace, security and development matters. This year’s Tana Forum is scheduled for 13 to 15 October 2023 on the theme “Africa in an Evolving Global Order”. The Forum will take place in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
2. Objective
The aim of the Tana Papers is to undertake research and critical analysis on the sub-themes that are related to the theme of the upcoming Tana Forum and proffer concrete policy recommendations on how best Africa can leverage the strength and effectiveness of the African Union (AU) to speak and act on how to (re)invent itself and influence its rising strategic and geopolitical importance.
3. Description of the assignment
Interested applicants are expected to send an abstract of no more than 500 words to IPSS Research and Policy Analysis Unit and, if selected, will be requested to write a policy paper. Accordingly, the contributor(s) will be expected to write a policy paper on a topic related to any of the sub-themes and send the draft paper to the IPSS Research and Policy Analysis Unit for review and approval. A Policy Paper is usually 8-10 pages long. It contains an executive summary, key points, an introduction to the topic of the paper, body, conclusion and policy recommendations. Authors are expected to revise and resubmit the brief by the deadline. The IPSS Research and Policy Analysis Unit also reserves the right to edit and make changes to the paper before publication in agreement with the author.
4. Sub-themes
1. Situating Africa in an Emerging Multipolar Order;
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- Africa’s position, destination, and how its leadership navigates (or should navigate) the dynamic and complex realities of the multipolar world.
2. Redefining Pax Africana in an evolving regional and international security landscape;
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- Africa’s autonomy, ownership and capabilities in addressing the myriad of peace and security challenges, while navigating an increasingly complex, inter-connected and multidimensional global peace and security landscape.
3. Leveraging AI and Big Data: Frameworks, Practice and Africa’s Preparedness;
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- How AI and Big Data can be used to enhance AU member states’ adaptation and resilience to climate change and environmental vulnerability, which drives conflicts.
4. Navigating transition in an evolving global order;
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- Political Transitions
- Demographic Transition: Forms of Migration and Population Quality for AfCFTA’s Success
The contributor will, on the basis of the agreement:
- Ensure the delivery of the policy paper according to the proposed structure;
- Ensure she/he meets the agreed upon deadline;
- Revise and resubmit the paper if the first draft does not fulfill the quality standards.
Guidelines
- Abstracts must be a maximum of 500 words
- Abstracts must include a maximum of five keywords sufficient to highlight the relevant topics addressed in the paper
- Abstracts must be text only- graphics, images or graphs should not be included.
5. Timeline
- Commissioning of the Policy Brief – August 11, 2023;
- Submission of the First draft – September 1, 2023;
- Submission of Final draft – October 2, 2023.
6. Place(s) of Assignment
The place of assignment is the contributor’s place of residence. There are no travels included.
7. Duration and Honorarium
The contributor will work for the period of August 4th, to October 2nd, 2023, and will receive a modest honorarium.
8. Application Instructions
Interested applicants should submit the abstract and a CV not longer than 3 pages to h.cynthia@ipss-addis.org and copy j.akamo@ipss-addis.org no later than August 4, 2023.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.