Research Coordinator (location flexible)

Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights is a charitable organization supporting survivors of human rights violations, defending fundamental freedoms, and promoting democratic values. Our programs provide mental health services, medical treatment, and other support services to survivors of trauma, terror, domestic violence, and human rights violations in Iraq and Syria.

While Jiyan Foundation has a long history of training its psychological staff in the region, the organization has not yet built the necessary capacities to conduct and coordinate research on its own.  We are therefore seeking applications for the position of a Research Coordinator (RC) who will support Jiyan Foundation in establishing a solid basis for research-related activities, with a particular focus on clinical psychology / psychotherapy and new academic partnerships.

Position: Research Coordinator (RC)

Status: part-time employee (50% of 40 hrs position)

Based: in one of Jiyan’s office locations (Germany, Iraq or Syria) or fully remote, possibly with international travels

Reports to: Head of Capacity Building (HoCB), Head of Trauma Care and Health (HoTCH)

Application deadline: 10 April 2022

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The RC supports different branches and Programs of Jiyan Foundation in Iraq and Syria, with the aim to enhance research capacities within the organization and to build academic partnerships. The RC will be a focal point for research at Jiyan and independently handle all research-related activities of the EKFS2 project (building a local training institute). Responsibilities and duties include:

1. Support to a specific project (EKFS2)

From August 2021 to July 2024, Jiyan Foundation is implementing a project called “Establishment of a training institute to improve psychiatrically informed psychotherapeutic care in Iraq and Syria” (internal project code EKFS2). The main goal of the project is to provide survivors of violence and terror of all ages with access to improved health care at the intersection of medical/psychiatric/psychotherapeutic needs in the context of the humanitarian crises in Iraq and Syria.

As part of the EKFS2 project, the future training institute will promote scientific studies, data collection, and knowledge transfer on clinical psychology and psychotherapy in the regional context. In order to realise this objective, the institute will partner with local universities and international academic institutions. The respective indicators to realise as part of this project are the following:

1. The institute has memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with at least three local or international partner universities.
2. At least three research projects are being developed in collaboration with the institute.

The RC will have the sole responsibility for the research-related project objective and the implementation of respective activities, including project monitoring and support for donor reporting. The indicators are expected to be met by the end of the project (July 2024). The Head of Capacity Building will supervise the RC for these activities.

2. Research focal point at Jiyan Foundation

• Act as focal point for any internal or external (i.e. by individuals/organizations who want to collaborate with Jiyan Foundation) research requests, including an assessment of the quality of proposed study designs
• Identify potential research topics in line with Jiyan’s strategy and develop study designs, including implementation plans to conduct research locally (Iraq and Syria)
• Support the Department of Operations and Head of Trauma Care and Health on research-related issues
• Implement data collection, analysis and reporting (with support from relevant colleagues)
• Draft publications based on international scientific standards to support new developments in the disciplines of clinical psychology and psychotherapy in the wider regional context
• Contribute to and develop concrete recommendations based on research findings to inform Jiyan’s strategic decisions related to research, capacity building, and the design of Jiyan’s clinical services
• Support programs within Jiyan by planning and carrying out baseline studies, feasibility studies etc., where applicable
• Train Jiyan colleagues in research-related topics, including methods for data collection and analysis
• Prepare written input for project proposals and donor reporting upon request
• Support project/program planning based on current research findings, as needed

3. Other tasks

• Networking and communication, such as attendance of meetings, communication with researchers and universities, maintaining and building partnerships
• Administrative tasks, such as documentation and regular reporting to HoCB (for 1.) and HoTCH (for 2.)

REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed master’s degree in clinical psychology
2. Very good English skills in listening, speaking, and writing; Kurdish, Arabic or German skills considered an asset
3. Strong experience with quantitative research and data analysis in clinical psychology; experience with qualitative research considered an asset
4. Demonstrated experience conducting research independently
5. Very good intercultural communication skills
6. Experience with networking and academic partnerships; own academic network considered a strong asset
7. Regional expertise on the Middle East desirable
8. Willingness to travel to Kurdistan-Iraq and within Europe
9. Ability to work independently and under time pressure
10. Prior work experience with non-profit organizations or international development work considered an asset

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application, including a motivation letter and your curriculum vitae, via this form: https://form.jotform.com/220754266173355.

PERKS AND BENEFITS

1. Participation in professional trainings and seminars
2. Working in an international and dedicated team, with the opportunity to travel
3. Flexible and family-friendly working hours
4. In Iraq and Syria: paid holidays (24 days for full-time position) plus 15 statutory holidays. Additional paid holidays, especially on the occasion of religious festivals may be agreed upon.
5. In Iraq and Syria: voluntary pension scheme with employer contributions.
6. For international applicants: number of paid holidays and other benefits will be determined based on applicant’s country of residence

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Jiyan Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, and we particularly encourage women and disadvantaged groups to apply for this position.