Research Coordination Consultant

ABOUT THE PROJECT

International Alert is implementing a research project entitled Understanding the linkages between climate, human security, and gender in Lebanon and Jordan. This project builds on a series of consultants and roundtable discussions facilitated in Lebanon and Jordan by International Alert on the nexus between climate, human security and gender earlier in 2021.

The process had generated knowledge with key local, national, and international stakeholders that aimed to explore and better understand the adaptability of the produced global guideline to the Lebanese context and to foster networking amongst participants and identify collaboration entryways between participants.  It also demonstrated the need and appetite for more focused and inclusive multistakeholder discussions to bridge the gulfs between aspiration and action, the disconnects between national policies and on the ground realities, and the need to connect community-based activists with policy makers. The roundtable discussion and research process helped identify gaps in knowledge and need for more targeted research and analysis to address these questions and be of use to participants.

As such, this project will aim to increase and consolidate the evidence behind peacebuilding approaches to local development, including local agriculture and management of natural resources, and their gender-disproportionate impact on human security and social stability in Lebanon and Jordan.

AIM OF CONSULTANCY

The aim of the consultancy is to provide coordination support to the various research, publication, and dissemination activities planned in this project in Lebanon and coordinate remotely with our partner in Jordan to ensure both processes are in line. This process will culminate in developing a guidance note on gendered peacebuilding and circular local economies with underlying principles of sustainability, natural resources management, good governance, democracy, and inclusivity.

The Coordination Consultant will report to the Programme Manager and will work closely with the Alert team and research consultant.

DELIVERABLES & TIMEFRAME

We foresee an overall 4 months of part-time consultancy work between September and December 2021. The Research Coordination Consultant is expected to deliver the below tasks against the timeframe:

1. Review project and previous research documents and have induction meeting with project team as needed. – by mid-September 2021

2. Be responsible for research coordination activities with close follow up with Programme Manager, project team, and consultants including: - between mid-September and December 2021

• Coordinating research activities with consultants in Lebanon.
• Providing thematic input and actively participate in discussion and reflection meetings with project team and consultants on process of research.
• Work with Communications Officer to ensure quality and timely production of research reports and communications material that will come out from the Lebanon and Jordan contexts.
• Work with Programme Manager and Communications Officer to identify stakeholders and ensure proper dissemination of guidance note and related communications materials from Lebanon and Jordan (including blogs, podcasts, infographs, etc.).
• Work with Communications Officer to organize roundtable/ webinar event in Lebanon and coordinate with partner in Jordan to co-organize similar event to discuss research findings and guidance note.
• Support with monitoring, evaluation, learning, reporting activities.

3. Have regular coordination and check in meetings (online or in-person, depending on need) with Programme Manager and project team to discuss, reflect, and plan for research project activities. – September until December 2021.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate has the following:

• University degree in social or environmental sciences or relevant fields.
• At least 5 years experience in a professional role dealing with research on similar topics.
• Excellent coordination, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Good knowledge of the research topic that is grounded within the context of Lebanon including climate change, natural resources management, human security, gender issues, social stability.
• Good knowledge of research processes including methodologies, data collection, and dissemination of results through communications.
• Excellent report writing skills in English and good command of standard Arabic.

• Experience in coordinating similar projects and activities.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, safeguarding with young people and vulnerable adults.
• Demonstrable commitment to Alert’s mission, values and ethics.