Associate Analyst, East Africa at Control Risks

The successful candidate will have a strong interest in and understanding of political dynamics in the Horn of Africa region, or a sub-set of countries in the region. This role will require the successful candidate to be based in Nairobi and regularly attend the office there, though Control Risks encourages hybrid and flexible working arrangements. It will also involve close collaboration with other East Africa-based colleagues, as well as with the rest of our Africa analysis team based across six offices in Europe and Africa.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular and high-quality coverage of relevant developments affecting the business environment in the Horn of Africa 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, 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 (COVID-19, sustainability, technology, etc.).
• Consulting and client engagement:
• Undertake research for bespoke projects on the Horn of Africa 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 Horn of Africa through research, attendance at relevant seminars and research trips.
• Create and maintain country-, regional and sector-specific databases as required.
• Contribute to team discussions about political and business risk issues in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan 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

Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of key political, regulatory, sector and operational risks for business in Horn of Africa countries.
• 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 Horn of Africa countries or the East Africa region as a whole).
• Practical experience of living, working or travelling in the Horn of Africa.
• Proven ability to write and verbally communicate with authority and clarity, particularly for commercial and / or non-expert audiences.

Preferred:

• Previous professional experience of risk analysis on the region and familiarity with business-focused research.
• Network of professional contacts in the Horn of Africa and the wider East Africa region (public and private sector, policy and academia, journalism, government, etc.)
• Additional language capabilities are a plus (Amharic, Arabic, Somali)
• Competencies:

Essential:

• Ability to independently identify, research and interpret significant events and developments.
• Ability to write clearly, concisely and authoritatively to tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Eagerness to seize opportunities, resolve problems and deliver work of the highest quality.
• Ability to adapt well to changing demands.
• Strong Microsoft Office and presentation skills
• Preferred:
• Good public speaking and presentation skills.