Concordis International seeks an experienced peacebuilder with exceptional ability in research and report-writing. This is a new role, intended to oversee Concordis’ consultation, research and conflict analysis, and to collate the data and recommendations from this research into clear and persuasive papers and reports for a range of audiences.
Theoretically based in London, you could work remotely from anywhere in the world, but with extensive travel in a number of African countries for up to two months at a time.
Applicants will only be considered if they:
- have beautiful written and spoken French or English, preferably both;
- have managed complex research programmes in fragile and conflict affected states;
- have published reports on this research;
- have significant peacebuilding experience, preferably in the Sahel region;
- apply using the application form; CV’s and covering letters will not be read;
Job Title: Peacebuilding Research Manager
Location: London, UK, with extensive travel to Sudan, South Sudan, CAR, Mauritania and elsewhere in the region
Duration: Permanent and full time, subject to probation
Reporting to: Director of Programmes, based in the UK
Application: Applications will only be accepted if submitted on the application form attached (downloadable from http://concordis.international/careers/) and emailed to: hr@concordis.international
Deadline: Sunday 24 January 2021 at 23.59
Hours: Full time. Official working hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm, however this is a professional role that requires flexibility, commitment and willingness and ability to work longer hours when necessary.
Salary: £40-45,000 pa commensurate with qualifications and experience.
ABOUT CONCORDIS INTERNATIONAL
Concordis International is a UK registered peacebuilding charity with programmes in Central African Republic, Mauritania, Sudan and South Sudan, plus some new work in the pipeline.
We work alongside those involved in or affected by armed conflict, helping them find workable solutions that address the root causes of conflict and contribute to lasting peace and economic development. We’re committed to finding solutions that benefit women as well as men, those in armed groups as well as those who chose not to take up arms, national governments as well as civil society.
Conflict is always complex and exists at multiple levels with numerous parties and a range of different drivers. Concordis has particular expertise in conflict management and security issues across fluid borders, particularly involving cross-border seasonal migration and trade. Independent evaluation of these dialogues found that the work was “unprecedented” and achieved “highly successful results” in mitigating conflict arising out of cross-border migration.
BACKGROUND TO THE ROLE:
Concordis believes that building relationships of trust and respect with and between those with whom it works is an important key to successful intervention in peace processes. All members of Concordis staff are required to adhere to and to advance Concordis’ values.
Concordis’ programmes are designed according to evidence gathered by qualitative and quantitative research, and in consultation with people involved with or affected by the conflict. As programmes are delivered, consultations are renewed, to monitor impact, to remain accountable to those most affected and to enable the programme to adapt to the evolving context.
Concordis has a strong track record at consulting extensively, at using the results of these consultations internally, and at measuring impact of peacebuilding interventions. We have been less good at publishing reports on those results in a clear an attractive format, for policy makers and a wider audience.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Peacebuilding Research Manager will:
- Work alongside the programme managers in designing, implementing and reporting on consultation and participative research in areas affected by conflict;
- Develop Concordis’ research methodology to gain a clear understanding of the nuances of the conflict, the needs, fears and aspirations of people affected, and people’s recommendations to address root causes of the conflict;
- Manage and oversee research teams of national staff, as they undertake consultation through structured interviews, semi-structured key informant interviews, dialogues and focus groups;
- Ensure inclusivity of these consultations, by gender, age, ethnicity, geographic location, urban / rural etc. getting out of the major towns and into the places where conflict is fought and felt.
- Collate, clean and analyse the quantitative and qualitative datasets that emerge, enabling disaggregation of the datasets by age, gender, ethnicity or livelihood.
- Prepare a range of reports that present the datasets, analysis and recommendations for a range of different audiences, including national governments, parties to the conflict, international donors and partners from other professional disciplines.
- Represent Concordis and present the findings and recommendations to key stakeholders including local and national governments, current and potential donors, research centres and think tanks;
- Maintain quality standards in research and financial management in line with log-frames, budgets and timelines in the funding agreements, as well as with Concordis’ principles, mission and values and international standards for both research and for peacebuilding programming;
- Develop a learning agenda for the organisation, and oversee implementation of the research to feed results into the learning agenda;
- Support the Programme Managers in the wider delivery of current programmes, and in using the research to design and obtain funding for new programmes that will be effective in meeting the needs and recommendations identified;
- Regularly analyse and continually manage risks related to research implementation and organisational presence. Design and implement mitigation strategies to manage identified risks;
- Ensure Concordis staff and the staff of partner organisations working on research projects comply with Concordis’ policies, national legislation in the UK and in countries where we work, international and local standards of best practice, and Concordis’ security and safeguarding policies;
- Ensure Concordis’ compliance with and understanding of national government regulations and laws in all areas of operations;
- Contribute to the development of Concordis’ peacebuilding methodology, strategy, policy and organisational issues;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES
- Writing skills: You are able to write persuasive reports that capture the complex nuances of conflict, then communicate them in a way that is clear and concise.
- Writing style: You are able to write professionally in a range of styles, including highly targeted policy documents, papers of publication in academic journals, collaborative documents intended to build professional consensus around shared objectives, communications with Concordis’ supporters, donor reports and grant applications.
- Research methodology: You are able to design research methodologies that can be implemented in a complex environment and still deliver a reliable and inclusive dataset.
- Research tools: You have working knowledge of a range of tools to capture data, (e.g. ODK, Fulcrum etc.).
- Statistical analysis: You are able to manage large volumes of quantitative and qualitative data, and process and analyse that data using a range of different packages (e.g. SPSS etc.).
- Attention to detail: You can look at a spreadsheet and see what doesn’t make sense.
- Languages: You have an exceptional level in one or more of English, French and Arabic. Preference will be given to candidates who can work at this level in two or more of these languages.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
- Relevant professional and/or academic experience in international development, conflict resolution and peacebuilding;
- Experience of managing teams delivering peacebuilding interventions or research in complex environments, preferably in the Sahel region;
- Published papers in either academic journals or in the ‘grey literature’ (NGO / World Bank / governmental reports) that address complex problem analysis in fragile or conflict affected states, preferably in the Sahel region;
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of international development, conflict analysis, security and political processes, particularly with respect to the Sahel region;
- Proven knowledge of statistical analysis (descriptive statistics, inference, causality inference, analysis of qualitative data);
- Master’s degree in international relations, development studies, conflict resolution or a related discipline;
- Professional level written and spoken French and English. Must be able to draft technical documents and reports for international audiences in one or both languages;
- Excellent communication and presentation skills;
- Excellent computer skills (MS Office, databases, desktop publishing);
- Personal efficiency, resourcefulness, organisational ability and the ability to be flexible and maintain good humour in challenging circumstances;
- Ability and willingness to work effectively in a culturally diverse team in demanding and dynamic circumstances, and to work in challenging conditions such as those found the Sahel region;
- Awareness of cultural diversity and political sensitivities and ability to address such issues with tact, diplomacy and sensitivity;
- Commitment to Concordis’ mission, principles, values (available at http://concordis.international/our-mission-and-values/;