Program Officer - Public Policy Lab

The Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) is a Moroccan think tank aiming to contribute to the improvement of economic and social public policies in Morocco and the rest of Africa as integral parts of the global South. It advocates for an open, accountable, and enterprising “new South” that defines its own narratives and mental maps around the Mediterranean and South Atlantic basins as part of a forward-looking relationship with the rest of the world. Through its analytical endeavors, the think tank aims to support the development of public policies in Africa and give the floor to experts from the South. Ultimately, with an approach focused on dialogue and partnership, the PCNS aims to cultivate African expertise and excellence for the holistic analysis of African and global challenges and identify appropriate solutions.

The PCNS notably examines key public policy challenges and opportunities, with a focus on Africa, in order to provide evidence-based policy analysis and recommendations. Through our events, research and publications, we aim to stimulate an understanding of contemporary public action at a time of increasing uncertainty and complexity. To achieve this, the Center draws on its network of senior fellows, experts from government, civil society, academics, the research community, and business leaders. 

The PCNS is looking for a Research Assistant in Public Policies who will be invited to reflect and work on public policy-related topics relevant to the Center.
Selected candidates will join an ambitious team, willing to contribute to a real and effective change of Moroccan and African realities. They will join a unit that will drive them to fully exploit their potential in order to serve society and hence further improve themselves and learning experience.

Your mission
•Conduct in-depth research on topics related to public policies in accordance with the priorities defined by the Center;
•Write memos, notes and reports on topics related to public policies of interest to the Center and its partners;
•Brief the Center’s Direction to take stock of the progress of internal projects’ and assigned tasks;
•Follow up on major sectorial strategies at multiple levels (subnational, national, regional, continental, bi-continental and international) and thus contribute to building up the Center’s knowledge on hot public policy-related topics;
•Identify new stakes, challenges, methodologies and academic, practical and theoretical currents and frameworks linked to public policies and that aim at ensuring better efficiency, relevance and depth, taking into account the specificities of the global South;
•Work towards a better understanding of the potential and practical use cases of new technologies (artificial intelligence, big data, open source software, etc.), new tools (audiovisual, recreational, etc.) and new logics in order to conceive and implement better public policies, particularly in the global South;
•Conceive, on the basis of the identified stakes and of the understanding and knowledge accumulated with regards to the different studied topics, innovative, result-oriented workshops;
•Contribute to reflecting on the Center’s development strategy, particularly as it relates to public policies.

Your profile
•Master’s degree in social sciences: anthropology, development, economy, political economy, ethnology, geography, geopolitics, governance, history, , international relations public policies, political science, psychology, sociology;
•Good command of Arabic, English and French, both spoken and written; a good command of another African Union (AU) language (Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili) is a plus; 
•Great spoken and written communication and presentation skills;
•Outstanding rigor and thoroughness applied to the crafting and presentation of one’s work;
•Aptitude to manage multiple projects at the same time, to prioritize tasks, to manage an important workload, and to respect tight deadlines;
•Strong polyvalence, sweeping creativity, willingness to be proactive in order to contribute to key debates on intricate topics, strong appetite for complexity, abstraction, and concreteness.

Our offer
•A full-time permanent contract, with competitive salary packages completed by social benefits;
•An intellectually stimulating work-environment that is favorable to an enhanced renewed learning experience;
•An ambitious team, willing to provide a real added-value and a concrete and perceptible impact;

Given the volume of applications received, only pre-selected candidates will be invited for an interview.