Violence and Conflict Assessment Senior Research Expert

VIOLENCE AND CONFLICT ASSESSMENT SENIOR RESEARCH EXPERT

Peacebuilding Evaluation, Analysis, Research, and Learning (PEARL)

Part-time consultancy position from September 2024 – September 2025, based in Papua New Guinea

Introducing Integrity

Integrity is an ethical consultancy and service provider working in challenging and complex environments around the globe.

We help our clients succeed in fragile and challenging environments while building trust and understanding as the basis for transformative change. We work across all phases of the programme and project cycle, delivering eleven complementary services: monitoring, evaluation and learning / data and knowledge management / research, evidence and analysis / advisory / project management / communications / risk management / technical assistance / capability and capacity development / stakeholder engagement / grant and fund management. Our services are underpinned by the principles on which we were founded, a commitment to providing reliable information and evidence, and expert and high-quality delivery.

Headquartered in London and Washington DC, Integrity also has offices in Jordan, Kenya, and Pakistan. Our multi-national team of over 80 deliver multi-year projects, programmes and consulting assignments to a wide range of government clients, international organisations, foundations and private sector clients.

VISION: To set the international standard for ethically delivered expert services in complex and challenging contexts.

MISSION: We use evidence and learning to provide trusted advice and enable change for a sustainable future.

VALUES:

• Courage: We work on many of the world’s most complex problems. We stand against violence in all its forms. We are unafraid to stand up to illegal or unethical practices.

• Objectivity: We challenge conventional thinking. Our recommendations are not based on assumptions or ideology but evidence and learning.

• Diligence: We incorporate our best individual and collective intellect through rigour, reflection, and collaboration.

• Accountability: We take responsibility for the quality of our work and performance. We hold ourselves to account through clear policy and process, sustained by long-term profitability.

• Sensitivity: We understand the impact of our presence and our work, empathise with people’s situations, and commit to do no harm.

ETHICS: Integrity upholds the highest ethical standards in our work, our employment of staff and our interaction with people. Through adherence to our core values, we ensure the best possible service, and benefit the communities amongst whom we work.

We commit to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where all feel safe and able to progress, contribute and be heard, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, marital or parental status.

Further information about Integrity can be found at www.integrityglobal.com.

Project Background

Integrity leads the Peacebuilding, Evaluation, Analysis, Research, and Learning (PEARL) Activity for the USAID Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization’s Center for Conflict and Violence Prevention (CPS/CVP). PEARL is a global buy-in mechanism that offers violence and conflict analysis, peacebuilding evaluation, and knowledge management services to USAID Missions and Operating Units.

Through PEARL, Integrity will evaluate efforts to achieve U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS) policy goals in the Global Fragility Act (GFA) priority countries (Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea) and region (Coastal West Africa: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Togo). The global-level evaluation will help distill lessons learned in prevention, stabilization, partnership, and management for U.S. Government interventions in fragile contexts. As part of its U.S. SPCPS portfolio, Integrity is conducting a series of assessments and case study evaluations to provide contextual analysis and identify contributions toward SPCPS objectives.

Integrity is recruiting an experienced Senior Research Expert who is available beginning in September 2024, with anticipated completion of the assignment in September 2025. The position will require continuous engagement throughout the period of performance in accordance with the agreed-upon schedule, with 100% LOE expected from November 2024 to May 2025. This position is based in Papua New Guinea and will involve anticipated travel to Port Moresby, Lae (Morobe Province), and Hela Province for stakeholder engagements, in-person fieldwork, and an in-person learning event.

Scope of Work

The Senior Research Expert will provide technical contributions to the Team Leader throughout the assessment, which will examine the dynamics of conflict, peace, and violence in Papua New Guinea. This includes supporting the assessment design and playing a key role during the data collection and analysis phase, ensuring high-quality services and outputs that meet the client’s needs. The Senior Research Expert will work closely with the Integrity Home Office Activity Management Unit to ensure that the assessment is planned and implemented in accordance with the USAID VCA Analytical Framework, Integrity standard operating procedures, and PEARL analytical and communications standards.

The Senior Research Expert will provide input to the assessment design, lead key informant interviews and focus group discussions during data collection, participate in team synthesis sessions, and engage with USAID and other stakeholders to develop actionable recommendations. The Senior Research Expert will also contribute inputs to the desk review, assessment report, and presentation and dissemination of findings.

Terms of Reference

1. Provide technical expertise and hands-on support throughout assessment design, data collection, synthesis of findings, data analysis, and development of recommendations.
2. Advise the team on data collection design and implementation to ensure that the assessment is technically robust, contextually appropriate, and conflict sensitive.
3. Support the development and finalization of data collection protocols in collaboration with other assessment team members.
4. As needed, support the recruitment of local researchers, subject matter experts, logisticians, and interpreters.
5. Support the team in identifying respondents and conducting outreach to relevant stakeholders for consultations, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions.
6. Conduct data collection and analysis in line with the assessment scope of work (SOW) and industry best practices.
7. Provide inputs to the Assessment Design, Contextual Analysis Report, and Assessment Report, helping the team to incorporate any comments and questions raised by USAID.
8. Provide technical inputs and facilitation for a session with local stakeholders during an in-person learning event in December 2024 in Lae (Morobe Province).
9. Support the dissemination of findings, conclusions, and recommendations in formats that are user-friendly and suitable for local audiences.
10. Complete other tasks as requested/required by the Team Leader and Integrity Home Office Activity Management Unit.

Your Experience and Expertise

1. Advanced degree in conflict studies, international relations, political science, or a related field preferred.
2. At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience conducting research and assessments in the humanitarian or international development field, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in conflict-affected settings, peacebuilding, or related fields.
3. Previous experience working in Papua New Guinea required.
4. Strong knowledge and understanding of the social, political, and economic context and key actors.
5. Experience implementing complex research projects, evaluations, or conflict assessments.
6. Strong analytical skills, with experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Familiarity with USAID conflict analysis or Political Economy Analysis frameworks preferred.
7. Experience in preparing and leading key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
8. Fluency in English required. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and present findings to diverse audiences.
9. Proficiency in Tok Pisin and/or other local Papua New Guinea languages required.
10. Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
11. Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with assessment team members and stakeholders.