Senior Researcher

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Senior Researcher

Duty Location:  Kabul, with travel to provinces when needed

Project Duration (initially):  9 months (with possible extension)

Type of Contract:  Consultancy

Reports to:  AREU Director and head of the Consortium

About AREU

The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) is a Kabul-based independent research think tank established in 2002 with the assistance of the international community in Afghanistan. AREU’s mission is to inform policy and practice by conducting high-quality, evidence-based research and actively disseminating the results, and to promote a culture of research and learning.

AREU is hiring a Senior Researcher with advance  expertise and  who will be seconded to work on research  activities under the consortium of the  Afghanistan Mechanism for Inclusive Peace (AMIP) managed by the secretariat. The consortium, AMIP is seeking a competent candidate based on the criteria described below for the Senior Researcher consultant.

The consortium led by the Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies (DROPS) and The Liaison Office (TLO) as Afghan NGOs, are in the process of setting up a program to enable an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan – the Afghanistan Mechanism for Inclusive Peace (AMIP). 

The mechanism is aimed at making the peace process and the peace in Afghanistan significantly more inclusive. AMIP also provides a structured, impartial and non-partisan form of constructive interaction between Afghan society at large and the negotiations teams. The mechanism will have a national focus, will work with civil society from across Afghanistan and will be inclusive of all sectors of society. This will make the peace process more accessible and understandable to the wider Afghan population.

Job Summary 

The Senior Researcher will take the lead on formulating policy-oriented research, data gathering tools development, critical analysis and advocacy campaigns to advance policy recommendations to the policy community in Kabul, Afghanistan. 

Duties 

• In consultation with the Consortium management, she/he will initiate research assignments and lead preparations such as data gathering tools, literature reviews, workshops and FGD facilitation materials, amongst other research initiatives. 
•  Conducts research and analysis, writes research papers and policy briefs, and identifies and disseminates comparative learning from other conflicts and peace processes.
• Develops advocacy campaigns around key research findings with the aim of impacting policy discourse, strategies and national policies. 
• Understands different policy contexts/institutions and uses multiple methods to acquire, interpret, contextualize, and disseminate information and data to policy makers and practitioners. 
• Presents research findings to members of AMIP Advisory board, governmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Provides support and knowledge on all efforts to represent the program in internal and external events, to disseminate information and research findings.
• Will help organize, moderate and lead roundtables and discussion forums with policymakers on an array of topics that are directly related to current national political, economic and security issues. 

Job Requirement 

• Proven expertise and experience of at least 7 years working in research and public policy analysis and advocacy is a must.
• Proven leadership experience of at least 3 years in a NGO, think-tank or academic environment.
• Have an in-depth understanding of research methodology tools and a professional skill-set in statistical analysis.
• Has proven experience editing documents in English and one of the local languages Dari, or Pashto. 
• Experience in writing policy briefs, policy studies and notes.
• Applicants with existing research experience and academic background in areas related to International Peace-Building Approaches, State-Building/Nation-Building, and Gender-Studies are highly preferred;
• PhD Degree in humanities, preferably in Political Science, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Conflict Management or International Relations.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English is a necessary requirement.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in one of the local languages, Dari or Pashto.
• Excellent problem-solving and strategic thinking skills and capabilities.

Closing date and Application Process 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a deadline of 5 May 2020, and an anticipated immediate start. The position is only open for national applicants. Please apply by sending a CV/resume and a cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the skills and experience in the qualifications above to applications@areu.org.af. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.