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JOB OPENING: RESEARCHER

Application deadline: 5th June 2019.

Social Inquiry is looking for an experienced researcher with a quantitative focus to join our team in Erbil, Iraq. Check the job description below or download the PDF version here.

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter (1 page) to apply@social-inquiry.org detailing your interest and how your experience meets the mentioned skills and competences.

ABOUT SOCIAL INQUIRY

Social Inquiry is a fast-growing international non-profit research institution established in 2017, currently based in Iraq. Our main research objective is to influence debate, policy, and practice oriented at repairing the social fabric and civic trust within and between groups in fragile communities.

For this, Social Inquiry undertakes creative, cross-disciplinary applied research carried out on the ground that explores the intersecting political, social, economic, and historical dimensions of fragile societies. Projects are organized through the following research programs:

  • Social Cohesion and Fragility

  • Reconciliation and Transitional Justice

  • Post-Conflict Political Economy

We work with UN agencies, international donors, national and local government authorities, and international and national NGOs and policy think tanks. Recent partners include IOM, UNHCR, the Germany Development Agency (GIZ), Iraq’s Ministry of Migration and Displacement, United States Institute for Peace (USIP), and Overseas Development Institute, among others.

The candidate will join an international, interdisciplinary, and dynamic team of researchers that combines background in economic development, social cohesion, transitional justice, humanitarian interventions, politics, and security. Intellectual debates are guaranteed.

ABOUT THE JOB

The candidate will be responsible for participating in on-going research in Iraq across Social Inquiry’s three research programs as well as developing and leading new interdisciplinary research opportunities.

Key responsibilities:

  • Implement and design research projects and proposals including through substantive discussions, background reading, research questions and tool creation, sampling strategy development, and overseeing overall management of research from inception to completion. This includes liaising with experts, partners, donors, training enumerators, and ensuring quality fieldwork, as well as supporting other researchers and program directors in the different projects.

  • Conduct quantitative and statistical analysis from original fieldwork data as well as draft reports, papers, articles, and presentations as part of a project’s implementation. This includes proactively pursuing post-project opportunities for publication in relevant print and online publications as well as participation in relevant international and national forums.

  • Establish and maintain relationships with key policy think tanks, academic and research institutions, national and international NGOs, civil society, international agencies, and private sector actors; drawing on external expertise, ensuring key stakeholders know of Social Inquiry’s work, and/or develop partnership for Social Inquiry’s work.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Essential

The candidate must have:

  • An advanced university degree in a social science field (economics, politics, sociology, social psychology, geography, etc.).

  • At least four years of professional experience in applied research, with a focus on quantitative research: strong quantitative analytical skills and proven experience in primary and secondary data analysis, including the advanced use of Excel and at least working proficiency of specialized statistical software (Stata, SPSS).

  • Experience working with an international NGO or agency, which includes conducting primary data collection/fieldwork in international or cross-cultural settings.

  • A thorough knowledge of oral and written forms of English with a proven record of preparing concise reports as well as the ability to present complex data results with stakeholders in events and workshops in an understandable way adapted to the audience.

  • Personal commitment, autonomy, initiative, adaptive capacity, creative/strategic thinking, open-mindedness, and willingness to carry out fieldwork across Iraq with the rest of the team.

  • Ability to work respectfully in diverse teams (in terms of technical expertise but also cultural backgrounds) and have a commitment to gender equality.

  • A track record of building professional relationships.

  • Sense of humor.

Desirable

  • Contextual or background of the region (understanding of Iraq in terms of its political, economic, and social trends) as well as of particular knowledge fields (governance, humanitarian affairs, development, peacebuilding, and migration/displacement).

  • Knowledge of Arabic or Kurdish languages.

  • Experience in designing and providing training and engaging in capacity building activities.