Job: Senior Research Associate, European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)‏

The European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI) invites applications for a position as Senior Research Associate within the field of “Minority Studies” beginning 1 January 2012 or shortly thereafter.
http://www.ecmi.de/people/vacancies/

 The Job Announcement as pdf can be found here.
http://www.ecmi.de/fileadmin/doc/Job_announcement_SRA_CD.pdf

The position
The successful candidate will head up our research cluster on “Culture and Diversity”. Responsibilities include conducting applied research as well as knowledge dissemination and transfer within the thematic area. Co-operation with the other ECMI clusters in multi-disciplinary research projects as well as with ECMI’s non-resident research network is also part of the responsibilities. The new colleague will take a lead in developing further the thematic area of the cluster, and for this reason we ask applicants to submit a Vision Statement (max 300 words). Other responsibilities include networking with relevant academic institutions and national/international organizations as well as media active in the area of minority politics. The candidate will also be responsible for project management and supervision of younger members of research staff. Some travel is required. For more on the cluster, see: http://www.ecmi.de/clusters/cdhome/

Requirements and conditions
Candidates are required to document a Phd-degree in law, political or social science as well as experience from previous research positions. Prior knowledge from the field of Minority Studies and the European minority rights regime is required. Independent research skills, the ability to work in a team and guide younger researchers, as well as good communication skills in written and spoken English are necessary. Experience as consultant and with training of public servants is welcome. Knowledge of German is an asset. Candidates without German language skills are expected to acquire these within a year or two.
A contract for two years is offered with renewal option. The ECMI is a German-Danish intergovernmental foundation under private German law which governs the contract conditions. The successful candidate must take up residence at the seat of ECMI in Flensburg, Germany.
ECMI is an equal opportunities institution and strives to achieve parity between women and men thus explicitly welcoming applications from women as well as from candidates of any social, racial or ethnic background. ECMI is a non-smoking environment.

About us
ECMI is an international inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research and competence institution focusing on national and ethnic minorities issues in Europe. We work directly with governments, civil society and international organisations in Europe and worldwide. ECMI aims to provide governments and the public debate with relevant information and analysis as well as to influence the European agenda-setting in the area of minority issues. In collaboration with our field offices in Georgia and Kosovo and in co-operation with academic institutions, we conduct applied research and action projects, training and advisory services in the area of minority-majority relations. We also co-operate with local universities where ECMI research staff teaches relevant courses. See further:  http://www.ecmi.de/home/

We offer an international and multilingual working environment with varied tasks and opportunities for travel. Our management structure is flat with a high degree of independence in senior research positions and opportunity to influence the work of the institution. We value openness, dialogue and team-spirit and focus on excellence, flexibility and mutual respect. Our town Flensburg is located at the German-Danish border – a provincial town where two cultures live side-by-side and the quality of living is good (www.flensburg.de). In addition to clean sea air, plenty of out-door and water sports activities, Flensburg offers low living costs and good schools in both the German and the Danish school systems. Flensburg is also within four hours travel of eleven good universities.

Applications
In addition to the Vision Statement, interested applicants are asked to submit a CV and a publications list specifying publications in English that are considered to be particularly relevant for the position. Short-listed candidates may be asked to provide copies of publications.
Application material should be marked “SRA Culture and Diversity”. It may be sent electronically to Ms. Maj-Britt Hansen, hansen[a]ecmi.de, no later than 21 November 2011. Interviews with short-listed candidates are planned for mid December 2011.
For further information about the position and information about living in Flensburg, please contact Ms. Maj-Britt Hansen, hansen@ecmi.de

Project Assistant, UNPO - Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization The Hague, Netherlands

Interns are expected to undertake tasks that include the organization of conferences, seminars and other events; the monitoring of United Nations and European Parliament processes (with possible attendance depending on the period of engagement and the aptitude of the intern); the conducting of research on UNPO Members; website management; advocacy and lobbying, project planning and implementation.
Interns are expected to have a mature and flexible attitude, display good time management skills, be able to undertake work independently and conduct accurate research. The internship involves high expectations of the intern, but in turn promises an equally rewarding experience.
Please note that UNPO has a general preference for full-time internships for a duration of a minimum of four months. Starting dates are flexible but please note that the positions are unpaid.
Interns in the Brussels advocacy office are expected to have an understanding of the workings of the European Parliament and European Structures and an eagerness to learn and network.
Intern requirements:
Essential:
Genuine interest in and basic knowledge of minority rights, self-determination, indigenous peoples and human rights.
Proven experience to multitask, work under limited supervision and take initiative under tight deadlines.
Proven experience to run short term, self-directed projects.
Excellent command of oral and written English.
Excellent command of oral and written Dutch (The Hague Office).
Good knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Sound understanding of the European Parliament and European Institutions for internships in the Brussels office.
Sound understanding of the United Nations Human Rights Council (associated UN mechanisms and tools), for internships in The Hague office.
Availability of minimum 4 months.
Desirable:
Knowledge of the international structures available to assist oppressed or disadvantaged peoples with particular focus on the European Union and the United Nations.
Working knowledge of other UN/EU languages and/or languages of our Members.
Knowledge of website management
Excellent writing style – academic and journalistic
Knowledge of office management
Experience in project proposal development and fundraising.
If you are interested in undertaking this internship at UNPO:
1. Please send an application in one email that includes the following:
Cover Letter (1 page only) addressed to UNPO General Secretary Mr. Marino Busdachin
Curriculum Vitae (2 pages only)
The names and contact details for 2 references
Writing Sample (essay/extract of maximum 1000 words in English)
2. Mark the email subject line: “Internship Application: YOUR NAME”
3. Indicate clearly in your cover letter the time period you would be available for an internship placement.
4.Send one application to either hagueinternships@unpo.org or brusselsinternships@unpo.org, based on your preference. If you have no preference please state as such, but send your application to only one of the above email addresses.

Course on Minorities in Conflict Zones, Flensburg, 20-22 July 2011 (Extended DL: 31 May)‏

"Minorities in Conflict Zones" is a course designed to assist young diplomats in the understanding and assessment of the role of minorities in internal conflicts prior to deploying to countries experiencing internal strife. This will include training in conflict management as well as an introduction to current minority protection regimes. Minorities are often seen as the cause of internal conflicts but in reality the situation may be far more complex. In many cases minorities are simply caught in the 'line of fire' and left to their own device to survive in the power struggle of warlords and profiteers. In other cases, the elites of minorities are directly involved in the power struggles. The course for young diplomats provides insights to types of conflicts and the various management approaches that are employed across the globe. It scrutinizes the types of actors and institutions that get involved in conflicts, and it provides an overview of existing international regimes of protection, dialogue mechanisms and quiet diplomacy.
Because conflicts are diverse, the course will offer specialized introduction to regional approaches and case studies through individual sessions tailored to the participants in the course. Cases From Europe including the Balkans and Caucasus as well as from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, Africa and Central and South America can be covered.
In order to allow participants to get a taste of the situation in conflict zones, the course for young diplomats organizes a roundtable discussion with speakers who have experience with conflict management in the field.
For the preliminary programme, click here: http://www.ecmi.de/fileadmin/downloads/ECMI_Einlad_2-11_indd.pdf
Detailed programme is expected to be available late May.
Lectures and Speakers 2011:
Prof. Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham
Dr. Claire Gordon, London School of Economics
Prof. Joshua Castellino, University of Middlesex
Dr. David Galbreath, University of Bath
Dr. Malte Brosig, University of Witwatersrand
Ambassador Niels Egelund, Denmark
The course is aimed primarily at young diplomats but all interested are welcome to apply. A minimum of 10 participants are required to establish the course. Applications are accepted on a first come basis.
Deadline for applications: 15 May 2011
Practical information:
Price: EUR 2.000 per person. The price includes course materials, meals and accomodation in Flensburg. A deposit of EUR 500 is requested by 31 May 2011, the rest at the beginning of the course.
Venue: The ECMI headquarter building "Kompagnietor" right on the waterfront in the old town of Flensburg, Germany.
Accomodation: Hotel Arcadia, 3 minutes walk from the ECMI building.
Location: Flensburg is a bilingual and multicultural town of approx. 85,000 inhabitants right on the border between Denmark and Germany-functioning as Scandinavian Gateway. Both the Baltic Sea as well as the North Sea are easily accessible from here. The town provides a maritime flair lying at the Flensburg Fjord right at the Baltic Sea. The atmosphere here is influenced by a mixture of cosmopolitan harbour and trading port-city. Flensburg offers a historic mixture of Danish and German culture reflected both by the distinctive architecture in the Old town part of the city as well as in a wide range of activities.
Applications: There are no application forms. Please send your indication of interest and CV to: Ms. Maj-Britt Rijsbjerg Hansen (hansen[a]ecmi.de). You will then receive confirmation and information about payment options.
http://www.ecmi.de/trainings/

ECMI Course on 'Minorities in Conflict Zones', 20-22 July 2011, Flensburg, Germany‏

"Minorities in Conflict Zones" is a course designed to assist young diplomats in the understanding and assessment of the role of minorities in internal conflicts prior to deploying to countries experiencing internal strife. This will include training in conflict management as well as an introduction to current minority protection regimes. Minorities are often seen as the cause of internal conflicts but in reality the situation may be far more complex. In many cases minorities are simply caught in the 'line of fire' and left to their own device to survive in the power struggle of warlords and profiteers. In other cases, the elites of minorities are directly involved in the power struggles. The course for young diplomats provides insights to types of conflicts and the various management approaches that are employed across the globe. It scrutinizes the types of actors and institutions that get involved in conflicts, and it provides an overview of existing international regimes of protection, dialogue mechanisms and quiet diplomacy. ECMI Course on "Minorities in Conflict Zones", 20-22 July 2011 in Flensburg, Germany
http://www.ecmi.de/trainings/

Summer School on Human Rights, Minorities and Diversity Management, Bozen/Bolzano, Italy, 20 June - 1 July 2011 Extended Deadline - 15 April]

The Summer School deals with the complexities of human and minority rights and diversity management in Europe. The 2011
special focus explores linguistic diversity in Europe: How can minority languages spoken by more than forty million people
in the European Union be protected and promoted? Which languages need a special attention? How to acquire and teach a
minority language? What is the challenge of linguistic diversity and language protection within the EU?

The Summer School deals with the topic of linguistic diversity and language rights from a multi-disciplinary perspective: on one
hand the international and interregional protection mechanisms of the United Nations, the OSCE and the Council of Europe
as well as the European Union regarding language rights are presented and discussed with academics and practitioners.
On the other hand the wide range of linguistic diversity will be explored through theoretical discussions from all relevant fields
(law, political sciences, sociology, linguistics) and practical case studies of promoting and protecting minority languages in
Europe.

We offer not only an in-depth overview on human and minority rights, focussing especially on linguistic diversity and language
rights, but also the possibility to discuss their implementation with international leading academics, lawyers and practitioners
from international organisations.

The Summer School participants will engage also in the discussion on old vs. new minorities: Besides the theoretical foundations
participants will take part in an international conference presenting the final results of a research project on Migration in
the Alps (MigrAlp: see www.eurac.edu/migralp).

Applications online at www.eurac.edu/summerschool until 01.04.2011.
The program is tailored for members of linguistic minorities and civil servants from local, regional or national administrations
who primarily deal with the minority related issues and therefore require both theoretical and practical training in diversity
management; lawyers, economists, social scientists and others in the employment of non-governmental organisations
wishing to enhance inter-disciplinary skills and to specialise within different aspects of minority rights; journalists and teachers
interested in the recent developments and advanced training in the related fields; Master and PhD students wishing to acquire
greater competitive personal competence beneficial for a future career in the academia or practice-orientated professions.
Tuition fee: 500€. Accommodation, travel costs and other expenses are not covered by the tuition fee.

Scholarships covering parts of the tuition fee are available.
Convenient accommodation for every participant can be arranged by the
organizers.

EURAC - The European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano is located in the
autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/South Tyrol in northern Italy. The
case of South Tyrol is often quoted as a model of self-governance as well as
a model solution for minority protection the accomodation of linguistic diversity.
Hence EURAC is able to provide exceptional theoretical and practical
knowledge in the examination and application of issues related to minority
protection and regionalism.

For further information, including detailed programme and application
procedure, please visit: www.eurac.edu/summerschool