Consultancy: Research on the impact of counterterrorism measures on humanitarian operations

NRC Geneva is looking for an experienced consultant to support inter-agency efforts to coordinate, collect and analyse information from the humanitarian community regarding the impact of counterterrorism measures on humanitarian operations to feed into the OCHA-led process of input-gathering for the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) report on this topic.

Background

In recent years, the need to address the impact of counterterrorism measures on principled humanitarian action has been increasingly acknowledged at the international level. In 2019, the Security Council adopted resolution 2462 on countering the financing of terrorism and 2482 on terrorism and organised crime, both of which contain language urging States to take into account the potential impact on principled humanitarian action when designing and implementing counterterrorism measures. Simultaneously, Member States, including donors and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members, have continued to ask for more evidence of the scope of this impact.

After the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2462, several United Nations Security Council Member States, requested the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) – which is mandated to monitor and report to the UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) on the implementation of UNSC counterterrorism resolutions – to compile a report on States’ practices and challenges in the implementation of counterterrorism measures in compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) as well as the possible impact on humanitarian action.

This will be the first official report on this issue drafted by a non-humanitarian UN entity and transmitted to a Security Council body/the Security Council. As such, it is a key opportunity for humanitarian organisations to convey the nature and extent of the challenges counterterrorism measures can pose to their work. CTED has asked the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to coordinate inputs from the humanitarian community on the practical impact of counterterrorism measures on humanitarian operations. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), with the support of Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has offered the support of a consultant to work on research and compilation of inputs for this report.

Objectives and scope of work

The consultant will support inter-agency efforts to coordinate, collect and analyse information from the humanitarian community regarding the impact of counterterrorism measures on humanitarian operations to feed into the OCHA-led process of input-gathering for the CTED report on this topic. The consultant may also support other NRC initiatives related to the impact of CT on humanitarian action.

It is expected that a strong research methodology and accompanying research plan, with a related narrative around why this research is necessary, data protection measures, and a clear articulation of opportunities and challenges will be produced. The consultant will undertake comprehensive desk research and field research, including using key informant interviews. A narrative report containing examples and analysis of impact will be submitted to OCHA and NRC. This will also be shared with the IASC Reference Group 3 subgroup on CT (RG3 subgroup) for discussion on the inputs from the humanitarian community to be submitted to CTED. The consultant is required to develop realistic recommendations to address the operational challenges faced by humanitarian agencies. All deliverables are to be completed by April 2021.

Major tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will carry out the tasks listed below:

• Develop research methodology, including further development of questionnaire, design of key informant interviews, streamlining of information gathering.
• Design a research plan, including the development of a strong narrative around the rationale for the research and the CTED report, the challenges and opportunities, the methodology and confidentiality/ data protection.
• Carry out desk review of existing research on this topic.
• Carry out field research, including collecting and analysing questionnaires, carrying out key informant interviews (with both field and headquarters-based staff).
• Analyse and compile results of research into a coherent report for submission to OCHA and NRC. The report should clearly demonstrate the impact of States’ counterterrorism measures on humanitarian action.
• Propose relevant and realistic operational and policy recommendations for inclusion in the report.
• If requested by OCHA, contribute to follow up discussions with CTED.
• Present findings in the form of a report to OCHA and NRC.
• Present the report to RG3 subgroup to facilitate a discussion on inputs to be presented to CTED.
• Where time allows, and as required, contribute to other NRC initiatives related to the impact of counterterrorism on principled humanitarian action in the framework of the project ‘Impact of Counterterrorism on Principled Humanitarian Action: Safeguarding Humanitarian Space’.

Implementation schedule and estimated inputs:

• Desk review of existing research on this topic, develop research methodology and design of a research plan: November 2020
• Field research, including collecting and analysing questionnaires, carrying out key informant interviews (with both field and headquarters-based staff): November – April 2021
• Analyse and compile results of research into a coherent report for submission to OCHA and NRC: April 2021

The consultant should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Demonstrable experience of research and analysis, including the development of research methodologies, carrying out research interviews, analysing and compiling results of research.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including experience in strategic communication and communicating complex topics to non-technical audiences would be an asset.
• Experience with humanitarian coordination and ability to work constructively, collaboratively, and professionally with stakeholders from a variety of different organisations and perspectives.
• Excellent presentation skills, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to foresee risks and challenges to research, communicate these clearly and develop contingencies.
• Ability to identify priority activities and work to tight deadlines.
• A very strong command of written and spoken English is required. French and Arabic would be an advantage.
• Available for frequent travel.
• Ability to adapt research methods to accommodate remote research if needed.

Experience and qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, social sciences, international affairs, or related topics. A first level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, and/or research on international affairs, including experience of field work (for example field research or operational experience).
• Specific experience in relation to the impact of counterterrorism and/or sanctions regimes on principled humanitarian action.

NRC has significant expertise in understanding the intersection of counterterrorism measures and principled humanitarian action. Our expertise in this area is built on our first-hand operational experience on the frontlines of humanitarian crises, and through actively engaging with states, donors, policy makers, think-tanks and academics on this topic. NRC has invested in research to increase the evidence base and the global understanding of this issue, and has published several reports on the topic including ‘Principles under pressure: the impact of counterterrorism measures and preventing/countering violent extremism on principled humanitarian action’ in 2018, and a ‘Toolkit for principled humanitarian action: Managing counterterrorism risks’ in 2020.

NRC and OCHA have a history of joint work on this topic, most significantly on the Study of the Impact of Donor Counter‑Terrorism Measures on Principled Humanitarian Action (2013).