Qualitative Research Assistant

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF Lebanon Branch Office is part of the MSF international movement. Our team is composed of 20 full time employees based in Beirut and Cairo working together in the areas of international field recruitment, communications and medical operational support.

From Lebanon and Egypt, we work regionally and contribute globally to MSF’s medical humanitarian response.

 Médecins Sans Frontières Analysis Department for the MSF Operational centre in Brussels conducts research, develops advocacy strategies and provides strategic operational support on the thematic of migration and refugees; the politics of health; humanitarianism and conflict; and negotiated access. This opportunity is linked to an Operational Research fruit of the collaboration between the MSF Analysis Department and the Operational Research Unit Luxor.

II. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

This is a unique opportunity to support a research that aims at covering a clearly identified gap in current research by highlighting the experiences and perspectives of MSF frontline workers from some of the most affected countries (terrorism & counter-terrorism)

MSF is recruiting a research assistant to support in a mixed methods research into the effects counter-terrorism legislation and measures has in the provision of impartial healthcare and humanitarian assistance. The research assistant will be based in Beirut, Lebanon, while given the current COVID pandemic, will be mostly working from home. The research assistant reports to the Principal Investigator on the Qualitative Research on Counter-terrorism effects on humanitarian action, with active engagement and collaboration with other members of the research team.

III. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities during the assignment the successful candidate will support the research’s data collection, interpretation and analysis, with a particular focus on qualitative methods. Given the iterative nature of the operational research, the tasks will evolve according to the research progression. The successful applicant is expected to support in the following tasks:

Data review, analysis and support in data collection, treatment and analysis

• Support in the data treatment and analysis of data collection in selected countries and globally, with a particular focus on supporting qualitative analysis (transcriptions of interviews, facilitation of data analysis, summaries and interpretation) as per indicated by the principal researcher
• Support in the organisation of review of literature and law and policy documents concerning counter-terrorism legislation, measures and policies.
• Background research on legal and policy issues related to access to humanitarian context of selected countries and counter-terrorism issues and global and national legislation and policies   
• Maintaining and updating key documentation and data concerning counter-terrorism legislation and measures issues in global and selected countries, under the supervision of the principal researcher
• Other support functions linked to needs arising from the operational research as per indications of the principal and associated research staff

IV. REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant will have the following characteristics:

• BA Degree in sociology/anthropology/political sciences or law
• Master’s Degree or equivalent proven experience (1 – 2 years) is a must
• Experience working with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs positions such as MEAL, Reporting, Data Analysis) or Research/Academia desirable
• Clear interest in humanitarian work and adherence to humanitarian principles
• Excellent command of English and Arabic, French desirable
• Organised, good analytical and reporting skills, able to work with significant amounts of complex data and able to meet deadlines effectively
• Understands and commits to high standards of ethical and quality assurance in data collection, storage, use and transfer of information
• Adheres to principle of confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information
• Computer literacy is a must
• Desirable, experience in qualitative data analysis