Lead Researcher - Art & Peace

Position title: Lead Researcher

Contract type: independent/local consultant

Berghof Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization supporting people in conflict in their efforts to achieve sustainable peace through conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Headquartered in Berlin, the organization is run by a diverse team and works with local partners around the world. Berghof Foundation is seeking a highly skilled lead researcher in Lebanon for our project “Art & Peace” funded by the EU.

At a time when many formal peace processes struggle to deliver lasting impact, ARTPEACE shines a light on the creative spaces where alternative visions of peaceful societies are shaped and brought to life. The ARTPEACE consortium will bring together peacebuilders, researchers and policy makers with artists and cultural institutions from the Basque Country, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Palestine, Kosovo, Lebanon, Syria and Ukraine to investigate how grassroots artistic practices can realize their full potential in advancing conflict transformation and peacebuilding.

Key Responsibilities:

The researcher will:

• Develop and implement the Lebanon research methodology in line with the ARTPEACE framework.
• Conduct a focused literature and context review on art, culture, conflict transformation, and peacebuilding in Lebanon.
• Map relevant artists, cultural institutions, grassroots initiatives, and peacebuilding actors.
• Oversee and take part in desk research, fieldwork, and the collection of qualitative and quantitative data through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and other relevant data collection methodologies.
• Document selected artistic peacebuilding practices through case studies.
• Analyse the contribution, potential, limitations, and risks of grassroots artistic practices in peacebuilding.
• Produce research reports and contribute to consortium-level outputs.
• Participate in coordination meetings, learning exchanges, dissemination events and presentations.
• Ensure the research aligns with Berghof’s broader objectives and contributes to policy influencing and peacebuilding efforts at both the local and regional levels.
• Lead and contribute to the drafting and development of relevant conceptual products and outputs for the region, including comprehensive reports, conflict analysis and research proposals.
• Ensure ethical, conflict-sensitive, and do-no-harm research practice.

Education:   

Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in conflict analysis, political science, international relations, or a related field.

Experience:  

• 5-7 years of proven experience in research in Lebanon
• Experience in designing and conducting field-based research in fragile or conflict-affected environments.  
• Strong experience in training and capacity-building for field research teams.  
• Experience with participatory research methodologies and working with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, civil society, and international organizations.

Skills:  

• Strong network of researchers and academic institutions in Lebanon.
• Proven ability to conduct high-level KIIs and FGDs with a wide range of stakeholders.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic.  
• Strong organizational, reporting, and coordination skills.
• Ability and availability to travel to MENA region and Europe for collaborations and trainings

Further Qualifications and Skills:   

• Existing trust, credibility, or access within local communities.
• Ability to engage respectfully with diverse groups, including host communities, displaced populations, youth, women, local leaders, and community responders.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and in sensitive environments.
• Neutrality, impartiality, and respect for diversity.
• Good judgment, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.