Lead Researcher

" A Cover Letter and a Breif Writing Sample is Required "

Basmeh and Zeitooneh is a registered Lebanese organization, committed to serving refugees and vulnerable communities in Lebanon, through four community centers across the country. The organization runs educational, relief, livelihoods, and protection programs, and aims to serve as an inclusive and supportive focal point for the entire community.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is part of a three-year research project, funded by UK Research and Innovation, through the Global Challenges Research Fund, part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance commitment. The research is coordinated by the University of Sussex and the Institute of Development Studies, in collaborative partnership with six organisations across five countries from 2021-23. Those five countries include Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Myanmar and Pakistan. In each country, three locations will be selected: an urban neighbourhood, a camp setting and a third context, which varies by country. 

In Lebanon, Basmeh & Zeitooneh is the main research partner. Therefore, Basmeh & Zeitooneh is looking to hire a Lead researcher.

What is the aim of the project?

The Research has four related objectives:

1. To investigate economic activity amongst those affected by long-term displacement.

2. To highlight sustainable economic activities; both those that already exist and future opportunities.

3. To analyze the barriers to inclusive and sustainable economic activities

4. To help build the skills of displaced people to communicate their own perspectives on sustainable economic practices.

What methodology will be used?

A combination of methods will be used: focus group discussions; a large household survey; interviews with local residents and a series of expert interviews. Throughout the project, we will also work with young people from our research locations to produce participatory films, highlighting the sustainability of the protracted displacement economy. 

What happens to the data collected?

All data will be stored securely and data that identifies individuals will be destroyed on project completion in August 2023. The exception to this is where we have people’s written permission – usually where they are speaking in their official capacity or if they appear in photos or films.  Numerical data will be completely anonymised and stored in a global data archive for future researchers to access. Films will be shared widely and archived on the project website. 

How can we find out the results?

All results will be communicated to those involved as soon as they are analysed. The project website (currently under development) will also present reports and other outputs. Stakeholder groups will be held in each country on a regular basis to update.

Project roles for Basmeh & Zeitooneh

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is selected by Sussex University as one of the research partners in Lebanon. Therefore, Basmeh & Zeitooneh is currently recruiting a Lead Researcher. 

The following individuals will mostly be involved in the project from Basmeh & Zeitooneh’s side:

- Program Manager

- Lead Researcher (currently being recruited) 

- Data enumerators (on a daily/ hourly basis) 

- B&Z Communications team

Job description of Lead Researcher

• The Lead Researcher will contribute significantly to developing the research framework and tools (FGD questions, survey questionnaires) for the research across three research sites in Lebanon (Tripoli, Nabaa (Burj Hammoud), and Bar Elias (Bekaa), and will also be in direct contact with relevant staff from Sussex University to this end. Adaptation of questions that are used across the countries of research to the Lebanese context is highly important and therefore the Lead Researcher’s input is essential.
• The Lead Researcher will manage the research process across the three research sites and ensure that all data collection is properly prepared and conducted. This includes coordinating with local authorities where necessary and relevant B&Z staff, and hiring and supervising teams of data enumerators. Training and support to enumerators and/or B&Z staff can also be required, including but not limited to the correct use of Kobo. 
• The Lead Researcher will be significantly involved in the data cleaning and analysis, and will receive training and support from Sussex University where necessary. 
• The Lead Researcher will be involved in the writing of reports and briefs, presenting intermediary findings and analyses, and attending events related to the project. 
• The Lead Researcher will be responsible for requesting and accounting for expenses related to the data collection. 
• The Lead Researcher reports directly to the Program Manager, and also briefs Sussex about progress and challenges. 
• The Lead Researcher is able to work in an independent manner and adopts a pro-active and solution-oriented approach. He/she enjoys committing to and developing projects that are still in the early stages and is dedicated to delivering high-quality research. He/she is used to operating in environments with conflict-affected populations, weak infrastructure and other obstacles requiring versatility, pragmatism, and astute tactical thinking.
• The Lead Researcher will in principle work from Basmeh & Zeitooneh’s HQ (COVID-19 precautions taken into consideration), with regular visits to the research sites and/or centers.

Overview of Tasks

● Conduct literature reviews

● Monitor and stay abreast of developments in Lebanon relevant to the research (economics, livelihoods, refugee policy, etc.) 

●Contribute significantly to developing the research framework, including the detailed methodology and research tools (FGD questions, survey questionnaires).

● Organize and supervise the data collection process, including over the three years:

1. Exploratory Focus Group Discussions 
2. Baseline and Panel Survey with 3000-5000 households across three research sites (with the use of Kobo) 
3. 350 qualitative interviews with community members 
4. Narratives through video (to be further determined, in coordination with professional documentary maker and B&Z communications team) .

• Recruit, train and supervise data enumerators and B&Z staff involved in data collection.
• Review and ensure accuracy and completeness of data, follow up with subjects or enumerators to resolve problems or clarify data collected
• Process, handle, and analyze data in appropriate manner; improving and expanding existing tools
• Provide regular updates on progress and findings to the Program Manager, Sussex University, and other partners where necessary, both in writing and orally
• Develop new research ideas and tactics 

Project Management

● Manage and respond to project related email

● Attend and organize internal and external project meetings

● Prepare progress reports where necessary

● Attend thematic seminars, trainings, and other meetings as necessary

● Request and manage resources within the scope of the budget

● Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned

● Track progress over time and collect lessons learnt.

Qualifications 

• Proven experience in conducting research, both quantitative and qualitative
• Experience in the humanitarian sector and/or contexts of displacement  
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• Ability to work in an independent manner and a pro-active and solution-oriented approach.
• You enjoy committing to and developing projects that are still in the early stages and is dedicated to delivering high-quality research. You are used to operating in environments with conflict-affected populations, weak infrastructure and other obstacles requiring versatility, pragmatism, and astute tactical thinking.
• Fluency in Arabic and English