Senior Analyst Observatory of Illicit Economies in West Africa

Application Deadline : 18 September - 17:00 CET
Start Date: October 2026

Place of work: Remote, preferably based in West Africa. The position includes travel across West Africa and Europe.

Salary: Dependent on location and experience

Duration: 1 year with possibility of renewal subject to performance

Time Commitment: Full-time (100%). Applicants with 50% or greater availability will also be considered.

Application requirements: Expression of Interest detailing relevant experience in line with requirements set out below, C.V. and contact details for three professional referees.
Background

The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) is an independent civil society organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with a globally dispersed Secretariat working across 43 countries. Founded in 2013, GI-TOC brings together a global network of more than 810 independent experts and a team of over 150 staff dedicated to understanding and responding to organized crime. Through research, analysis, policy engagement and support to civil society actors, GI-TOC works to deepen understanding of organized crime and strengthen effective, rights-based responses.
The GI-TOC works to:

- Identify, analyse and map criminal trends and patterns of regional instability, and their impact on illicit flows, governance, development, security, conflict and the rule of law.

- Connect and support civil society actors working on organized crime and corruption, and on their links to instability and conflict.

- Strengthen local monitoring and analysis of national, regional and international organized crime and insecurity trends.

Summary of Role

The GI-TOC is seeking a Senior Analyst to conduct research and analysis on illicit economies in West Africa region. The role will include a focus on drug trafficking and markets, and on the intersection of illicit economies with instability.

The Senior Analyst will engage closely with the Director of the West Africa Observatory and the broader analytic team within the team and region. This role demands strong analytic and interpersonal skills, an ability to build and manage research networks across the region, and time-management skills to deliver high-quality products on tight timelines.

Applicants from West Africa are encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities

- Conduct in-depth research and analysis on illicit economies across West Africa and the Sahel, including investigative analysis of drug markets, including mapping key actors, networks, routes, markets and their links to governance, conflict and instability.

- Contribute to the research, drafting and production of high-quality public and restricted circulation reports, policy briefs, articles and other analytical outputs on drug trafficking and broader illicit economies in the region.

- Develop, coordinate and manage reliable research networks across West Africa and the Sahel, including researchers, journalists, civil society organizations, government stakeholders and subject-matter experts.

- Design and oversee field research, including research methodologies, interviews, data collection, source verification and analysis, while ensuring compliance with ethical, security and quality standards.

- Monitor emerging trends and developments in regional illicit economies and provide timely analytical inputs to the Director of the West Africa Observatory and the broader GI-TOC analytical team.

- Support the development and delivery of events, roundtables and initiatives relating to illicit economies and drug trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel, including engagement with policymakers, practitioners and regional partners.

Requisite Skills and Experience
Experience should include:

- Master’s or PhD degree in a relevant field, such as international relations, criminal justice, or migration studies.

- Minimum 5-10 years of experience in investigations, analysis or research work on organized crime in West Africa a