Country Research Lead SY/JO

War Child believes no child should be part of war. Ever. Children have the right to grow up in peace, free from fear and violence. To develop their full potential and become the person they want to be. War Child makes a lasting impact. By protecting children from violence and offering psychosocial support and education. We unleash the children’s inner strength with our creative and involving approach. And inspire as many people as we can to participate in our cause. War Child is both implementing its own programmes and cooperating with a variety of partner organizations in 14 countries around the world.

War Child is looking for a:

Country Research Lead SY/JO

Organization

War Child

Department

Syria/Jordan Response Country Office

Job title

North-West Syria Research Lead

Location

Northwest Syria or Jordan with movements at field level: (Northwest Syria: Idleb / Northern Aleppo), or any other location in the region to be agreed

Grade

TBD

Date

01 September 2024

Background of the Role

War Child Alliance is a member of the Beyond Compliance Consortium (BCC), funded with UK International Development from the UK government. The BCC Research Programme on ‘Building Evidence on Promoting Restraint by Armed Actors’ which the Consortium is developing is a three-years applied research and knowledge exchange initiative. It aims to contribute to the effective prevention and reduction of humanitarian need and civilian harm and facilitate a broader protective environment in armed conflict.

The Consortium is built of nine academic-practitioner partner organizations: the University of York (Principal Investigator – PI), the University of Glasgow (Co-Investigator – CoI), Utrecht University (CoI), Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict (CoI), War Child UK, Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Centre on Armed Groups, and Fight for Humanity.

Objective of the Role

War Child is leading the research component of the programme in North-West Syria, South Sudan, and Democratic Republic of Congo. For North-West Syria, we are recruiting the post of North-West Syria Research Lead. This role will work with the War Child country team and coordinate with a small, international team of academics and practitioners to undertake research, analyse the results and contribute to BCC research and policy outputs. The role is responsible for undertaking research and analysis of results, while following institutional policies and ethical standards. Besides the contribution to the BCC research program, the role will also act as an expert source on the national conflict context providing analysis of trends and conflict dynamics related to civilian protection with a focus on child protection

The successful candidates will have experience in research assignments, a strong network and comprehensive understanding of the conflict context, as well as the ability to concisely represent key aspects relating to civilian protection.

Position within the Organization

The Country Research Lead will report to Country Director Jordan Syria Response

This position is open for individuals who will be employed on a temporary full time employment contract or for (small) specialized consultancy firms with specific relevant track record. Where the word ‘candidate’ is used in this profile, it is also meant to include ‘consultancy firm’.

Result Areas

• Prepare, facilitate and conduct fieldwork / primary data collection (visits, meetings, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with various stakeholders including armed actors, local and international organizations active in the country, local communities with the support of War Child country team.
• Analyze and interpret research data gathered through desk-based research (literature study) and fieldwork.
• Coordinate with the BCC Research Coordination team and with other BCC partner organizations as relevant.
• Provide input and expertise on compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the country context.
• Participate in the production of research and policy outputs (reports, academic publications, digital stories, policy briefs).
• Participate in research meetings, conferences, and presentations.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, regulatory guidelines, and ethical standards.
• Liaise with principal investigators, research teams, and external partners.
• Participate in regular remote BCC team meetings and in in-person workshops as necessary.
• Provide analysis of trends and conflict dynamics related to civilian protection with a focus on child protection to use for advocacy purposes

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• The candidate should have a strong proficiency in research methodologies, data management with actual professional experience from 8 to 10 years
• A previous experience of research coordination on social science related issues/ undertaking fieldwork (e.g., interviews).
• Strong knowledge of international humanitarian law, human rights law and the humanitarian sector.
• Strong understanding of national context, conflict dynamics and stakeholders.
• Excellent communications skills: spoken and written English and Arabic.
• Ability to write up applied research work for publication in a range of formats (academic articles, policy briefings, practitioners reports) and engage in public dissemination.
• Familiarity with safeguarding, research regulations, and grant management.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Due to the environment and culture sensitivity context, the North-West Syria Research Lead should be Arabic speaker, preferably Syrian nationality with ability to travel to Northwest Syria (Idleb, North of Aleppo)
• Candidate has permission to work in country of operation

Desirable

• PhD Degree or in process of acquiring PhD in the research methodologies, data management field is preferable
• Experience of carrying out fieldwork and of undertaking research in/on armed conflict/post-conflict contexts is desirable.
• Prior experience of interacting with armed actors, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on critical thinking and defining clear pathways for success.
• Result oriented with High attention to detail and ability to lead key tasks, even under pressure, ensuring on-time completion
• Highly developed networking skills and ability to form productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Planning and coordination ability
• Excellent communication skills: ability to give and receive feedback.
• Strong cultural awareness and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to travel and work within challenging environments
• Flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing needs, including the willingness to adjust work practices and hours in emergencies, with the possibility of short notice travels

We Offer

• A dynamic and challenging work environment, with opportunities to grow and enhance your skills.
• A fair salary and comprehensive secondary benefits including opportunities to develop professionally.
• Working as part of a multinational team who is hands on to make change happen!

Contract

The duration of the contract is 12 months with the intention to extend depending on performance and fund availability.

Disclaimer: Only applications received via our website following the link above will be processed. War Child will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to either close the vacancy if a successful candidate is identified prior to the deadline, or the closing date for the vacancy might be extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain live.

By submitting your application, you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be ground for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and failure to submit, will result in no establishment of an employment relationship. War Child is an international organisation, and we are committed to be a diverse and inclusive employer, placing human and child rights at the Centre of our existence and work. We hire our new colleagues based on their talents, competences and shared values; we do not distinguish them based on their age, gender and gender identity, race, color, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, disability etc.

The safety of children is essential to War Child. War Child does not tolerate or accept any form of abuse. This subject is addressed in our recruitment and selection procedures. Moreover, the accepted candidates will be required to state their commitment/intent to be aware, consider and adhere to the minimum standards

applicable in development and humanitarian settings, such as humanitarian values and principles, Sphere Humanitarian Charter, Standards in the Humanitarian Standards Partnership, Core Humanitarian Standard, International Humanitarian Law, Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)