Expert preventing violent extremism (PVE) researcher | London | 2021

Chemonics seeks an expert PVE researcher – Northeast Syria for the ongoing FCDO Syria Education Programme (Takaamul Platform). The project aims to provides access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities to children in Syria, while strengthening education actors to effectively manage education. The research team seeks to engage an expert researcher in PVE, Northeast Syria and youth engagement to help lead the research process. The expert researcher will support research design and oversight of field data collection, lead on analysis of the drivers of violence and violent extremism in Northeast Syria, and contribute to policy outputs, participate in roundtable briefings with government and expert stakeholders, and develop final published products. Remote applications encouraged.

We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world. Remote applicants encouraged.

Working with the Chemonics XCEPT and Takaamul teams, the expert researcher will:

• Support design of field data collection methodology and SCA approach, including playing a central role in selection of field data collection tools.
• Collaborate on a literature review and gap analysis, with a focus on PVE and Northeast Syria, including education and related programming
• Analyse field and other primary and secondary data to assess the drivers of violence and violent extremism in Northeast Syria and policy and programme implications.
• Collaborate on drafting the Systems Conflict Analysis, including research findings and recommendations for education and other relevant community programming in Northeast Syria.
• Advise on development of a preventing violent extremism through education (PVE-E) framework, applying expert and contextual knowledge on PVE and Syria
• Author articles, commentaries, and blogs based on research finding, for publication as part of the XCEPT programme
• Participate in and help plan briefings and roundtables for policy, expert, and practitioner stakeholders
• Direct engagement with project leadership and the client to present research findings and analyses.

Specialist knowledge required (applicants may demonstrate expertise in one or both subject areas):

1. Strong contextual knowledge of the conflict and experience conducting research in/on Northeast Syria
2. Strong academic background in and professional experience of researching violent extremism, including strategies and approaches for preventing violent extremism (PVE) through development programming

Qualifications include:

• PhD preferred, or master’s degree in a relevant subject with equivalent experience in research, conflict analysis, preventing violent extremism, international development, or related fields
• 5 years of relevant academic or equivalent professional experience
• Demonstrated experience working with academic institutions or think tanks in the field of research or analysis
• Excellent research and analytic skills, including demonstrated experience with mixed-methods approaches and writing and publishing academic, peer-reviewed research
• Strong communication skills (oral and written), including an understanding of communicating research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences to influence the uptake of research findings and programmatic recommendations
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience working alongside programme implementation teams to adapt interventions based on research findings
• Excellent English language written and oral skills 
• Arabic language fluency or professional proficiency preferred
• Microsoft Office applications experience required

Application instructions:

Please send an email with your CV and cover letter attached and Expert Researcher – PVE in Northeast Syria” in the subject line to [email protected] by July 6^th 2021. Remote applicants encouraged. No telephone inquiries, please. Chemonics will contact finalists.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

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