The Asia Center at the United States Institute of Peace has an opening for a Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow for 2017-2018 to help advance and support our growing body of work on China’s influence on global peace and conflict dynamics. The fellow will examine the impact of China’s overseas investment on fragile states and identify strategies that conflict-affected states might use to prevent investment-related conflict. This would be a largely residential fellowship, based at USIP’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., although USIP offers some flexibility in terms of precise arrangements.

Background

China’s Belt and Road Initiative has captured headlines with its promise to spread peace, prosperity, economic development and international cooperation through improved connectivity across Eurasia and around the world. Chinese firms, both state-owned and private, are already investing heavily in infrastructure construction, extractive industries (such as energy, mining, timber and jade), transportation, telecommunications, finance, and other sectors, and many of these projects are in fragile or conflict-affected states. 

These investments have the potential to provide tremendous economic opportunities and growth, but they also have the potential to exacerbate existing tensions among marginalized ethnic and regional groups or between civil society and the government. If not properly managed, monitored or regulated by local governments and stakeholders, China’s overseas investments could hinder U.S., international and third-country peacebuilding efforts to resolve violent conflict.

Fellowship

A senior fellow will conduct research that examines the impact of Chinese business practices in conflict-affected environments and identifies ways that local stakeholders in these countries might best leverage that investment to prevent violent conflict and support transformative change in their communities. Expected deliverables include a Special Report (6,000-10,000 words) for potential publication through USIP and the organization of at least one public event at USIP, as well as supplementary commentary and analysis pieces or media appearances, as appropriate. The Fellow will also help USIP develop a related research agenda and identify opportunities for future programming in this area.

Requirements

The ideal fellow for this position is a senior or mid-career analyst, policymaker or expert with expertise on the impact of foreign investment in conflict-affected communities. USIP will look for an understanding of Chinese corporations and business culture, as well as professional contacts in Burma, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, South Sudan or other conflict-affected states of strategic interest to the United States. The fellow should also have a strong writing/publication track record and demonstrated capacity to conceive and produce a writing project leading to publication. Outcomes should be proposed that show promise of thought leadership and impact, and could include, but are not limited to, a substantive publication and/or convening of a high-level symposium. 

The proposed fellowship will last for 4-6 months, beginning as early as October 2017, although later start dates are possible and the timing is flexible. The fellow would receive a monthly stipend.

Application process

Interested applicants are invited to submit a letter of interest, a 3-5 page concept note and CV by close of business on July 14, 2017, to Lili Cole, director of fellows, at ecole@usip.org and Jennifer Staats, director of the China program, at jstaats@usip.org. The concept note should describe a viable research project, including a proposed methodology, a timeline for the research and proposed outcomes. Please be sure to address how your proposal will confront the challenges and opportunities in bridging practice, policy and research in this field, and articulate the benefits that a residential affiliation with USIP will bring to this effort.