Application Guide
How to Apply for Programme Head, African Peace and Security Governance
at Institute for Security Studies
🏢 About Institute for Security Studies
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is a leading African research organization focused exclusively on peace and security governance across the continent. What makes ISS unique is its direct engagement with the African Union, regional economic communities, and member states through evidence-based research and practical projects that shape policy. Working at ISS offers the opportunity to influence African peace and security at the highest levels while being part of a respected pan-African institution.
About This Role
As Programme Head for African Peace and Security Governance, you'll provide strategic direction for one of ISS's core programmes, overseeing everything from fundraising and donor relations to team leadership and quality control. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape how ISS engages with African peace and security institutions, ensuring research translates into practical governance improvements across the continent while managing significant donor relationships and representing ISS at high-level meetings.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning virtual meetings with your remote team across African time zones to review project progress, followed by donor report preparation or proposal development. Afternoons could include reviewing research outputs for quality control, participating in ISS management meetings, and preparing for upcoming high-level engagements with AU or regional partners, all while ensuring programme activities align with both donor agreements and ISS's strategic objectives.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Institute for Security Studies Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of experience specifically in African peace and security programme management, with demonstrated success in strategic planning for continental or regional organizations
- Possesses a proven track record of fundraising from major international donors (like EU, UN, or bilateral agencies) for African governance programmes, including donor reporting and relationship management
- Has experience leading diverse teams in remote settings and managing programme budgets exceeding $1M, with strong financial planning and monitoring skills
- Can demonstrate high-level representation experience with African Union, RECs, or member state institutions, with excellent communication skills tailored to African policy audiences
📝 Tips for Applying to Institute for Security Studies
Highlight specific experience with African Union peace and security architecture (like APSA or AGA) in your resume, not just general governance experience
Quantify your fundraising achievements for African programmes (e.g., 'secured $2M from EU for conflict prevention programme in Sahel region')
Demonstrate understanding of ISS's specific research areas by referencing their recent publications on African peace and security in your cover letter
Emphasize remote team management experience, as this role requires leading distributed teams across Africa
Show how you've previously ensured research outputs met donor requirements while maintaining academic rigor - a key ISS challenge
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience with African peace and security governance institutions (AU, RECs, or member states) and how it aligns with ISS's engagement approach", 'Concrete examples of successful fundraising for African governance programmes, including donor relationship management and reporting', "How you've previously provided strategic direction to complex programmes involving research, policy engagement, and capacity building simultaneously", 'Your approach to leading remote teams and ensuring quality control across geographically dispersed projects']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → ISS's current African Peace and Security Governance programme outputs and publications from the last 2 years
- → ISS's major donors and partners in peace and security work (check their annual reports and project pages)
- → Recent African Union peace and security initiatives that ISS has engaged with (like Silencing the Guns or APSA implementation)
- → ISS's organizational structure and how this programme fits within their regional offices and thematic work
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic governance experience without specific African peace and security context - ISS needs continent-specific expertise
- Focusing only on research skills without demonstrating programme management, fundraising, and donor relations capabilities
- Not understanding the balance between academic research and policy impact that defines ISS's work approach
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Institute for Security Studies!