Writing analysis

• Provide regular and high-quality coverage of relevant developments affecting the business environment in the Great Lakes and East African region for clients subscribing to Seerist, Control Risks’ online subscription service. This will include writing succinct updates on trends and developments across the region in domestic politics, government policy, regulation, humanitarian, operational and security issues.
• Depending on team capacity and client requirements, this will also periodically require writing analysis and responding to requests on other East African countries.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other geographical regions on analysis of crosscutting pan-African or global issues and trends where required (geopolitics, sustainability, technology, etc.).

Consulting and client engagement

• Undertake research for bespoke projects on the Great Lakes and East African region under the direction of senior analysts.
• Assist in writing proposals for bespoke consulting work on the region, in consultation with analysts and consultants.
• Contribute to the development of compelling client deliverables and propose innovative ways to present facts and analysis to clients and assist in preparing the presentation of research in formats including PowerPoint.
• Support and contribute to the delivery of consulting engagements for the wider Africa region as required.

Demonstrating expertise

• Maintain a high level of regional and country expertise on the Great Lakes and East Africa region through research, attendance at relevant seminars and research trips.
• Create and maintain country-, regional and sector-specific databases as required.
• Lead team discussions about political and business risk issues in the Great Lakes and wider East Africa region and topical developments in the region.
• Work closely with other analysts covering East Africa. This will include challenging and accepting feedback on own analysis, and ensuring coherence with other analysts.
• Develop and effectively manage government, academic, journalistic and business contacts in the region and share knowledge about sources with other members of the desk. Use source information astutely and conduct in-person research as and when required, respecting client confidentiality.

Marketing and business development

• Contribute to company-wide promotional publications, press releases and sales initiatives.
• Provide research to support team responses to media queries in the region.

Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of key political, regulatory, sector and operational risks for business in Great Lakes countries (particularly Congo (DRC) and Uganda but also Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania).
• Professional experience in consulting, political and security risk analysis, emerging market analysis, market intelligence, public policy, academia, or government, with a primary focus on East Africa (whether focused primarily on the Great Lakes countries or the East Africa region as a whole).
• Practical experience of living, working or travelling in Congo (DRC), Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
• Proven ability to write and verbally communicate with authority and clarity, particularly for commercial and / or non-expert audiences.

Preferred:

• Previous professional experience of political risk analysis on the region and familiarity with business-focused research.
• Network of professional contacts in the East Africa region (public and private sector, policy and academia, journalism, government, etc.)
• Previous professional experience covering the mining, energy or international development sectors.
• Additional language capabilities are a plus (French, Swahili).