Analyst – Native English Speaker

Position Title: Analyst – Native English Speaker

Reference No.: 240109

Position Location: Beirut, Lebanon

Position Scope: Full Time

Timeframe: subject to funding availability

Coordinator: Project Manager

Overview: This Scope of Work (SoW) outlines the Analyst consultancy with the Center for Operational Analysis and Research (COAR). The Analyst will produce deliverables related to the pipelined Humanitarian-Development-Peacebuilding (HDP) Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) project in Syria for which COAR will be expected to support the client by developing the Nexus strategy, and conducting research in support of the Nexus implementation such as political economy analysis, location assessments, and partner scoping. The Analyst will also be expected to support on drafting deliverables of other projects as required. The production of written research outputs is critical to this role. Applicants will be required to complete a written test (in English) as part of the application process.

About COAR: COAR is an independent social enterprise that directly supports practitioners, policy-makers, and donors by facilitating humanitarian and development interventions in complex, fragile, and high-risk environments. COAR delivers neutral and objective research and analysis, which identifies – but does not influence – local stakeholders, relationships, interests, and analyses broader political, economic, social, and security dynamics and trends. COAR research leverages social media, personal networks, field research teams, and local experts in order to map and translate the local human context; COAR analysis synthesises and studies this data in order to inform both programmatic and strategic decision-making, reduce security and conflict-sensitivity risks, and increase the impact of humanitarian, development, stabilisation, peace-building, and peacekeeping initiatives.

Objectives

• To contribute to drafting research papers related to the HDP-NRM Syria
• To support short-form reporting and longer-form longitudinal and thematic research papers on security/conflict, governance, regional interventions, economics, society, extremism and radicalisation, and humanitarian/development dynamics in Syria.
• To occasionally lead on the above report types where appropriate.
• To ensure the timely submission of high-quality deliverables.
• To provide well-researched, evidence-based insight and programmatically-relevant recommendations using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Deliverables

• Draft HDP-Nexus research products which include: conflict analysis, location profiles/assessments, political economy analysis, partner scoping, sectoral research, etc.
• Collaborate with other analysts to interpret relevant military/security, political, economic, social, service provision, regional intervention, and humanitarian dynamics in Syria.
• Collaborate with other team members and donors/clients to develop research plans, methodologies, and timelines for thematic research;
• Maintain and develop a sophisticated understanding of the development/humanitarian response to Syria to include political red-lines, sectoral risks, and client/donor objectives at the strategic and programmatic level;
• Propose research topics of interest where appropriate, and help design and deliver the projects;
• Design research products, inform structural/editorial review, support on design of infographics and layout, and ensure final deliverables are high quality;
• Support COAR’s data visualization and analytics by collaborating with COAR research team, information management, and analytic focal points to identify qualitative data collection opportunities.
• Independently collaborate with other COAR project teams, researchers, and support functions;
• Support in-depth thematic research, project/sectoral document review, and literature review where and as needed.
• Respond to ad-hoc requests for information (written and oral).
• Ensure high-quality deliverables (to include English language grammar and syntax).
• Present verbal updates and briefings on the context and research products to COAR clients, partners, donors, and other associated stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• A Master’s degree in Political Science, International Affairs/Relations, Middle East Studies, Public Policy, Anthropology, Sociology, Journalism, or a related field.
• Four years experience collecting and analysing qualitative data for media outlets, think tanks, research organisations, NGOs or other research organisations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Syrian context and aid responses in parallel.
• Demonstrated ability and/or willingness to work under tight deadlines, provide real-time data points and analysis with accuracy under pressure.
• Excellent English written and verbal skills.
• Commitment to discretion and confidentiality.

Desirable:

• Prior experience working on sensitive subjects.
• Publication history, including for media outlets.
• Prior experience with I/NGOs engaged in humanitarian and development programming.
• Additional postgraduate research, including PhD candidacy.
• Familiarity with data visualisation techniques.
• Arabic language skills.