RESEARCHER – USAID/CPS Peacebuilding Evaluation, Analysis, Research, and Learning (PEARL)

Part-time consultancy position from June 2024 – October 2024, based in Ghana with possible in-country travel

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 is conducting a Violence and Conflict Assessment (VCA) for USAID/Ghana through a desk review and VCA Tabletop Exercise. USAID/Ghana is developing a new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) in August 2024 due to significant contextual changes in recent years, including increased conflict and a growing threat of violent extremism in northern Ghana, an economic crisis, and exacerbated climate shocks. The Mission requires an updated understanding of key conflict and violence dynamics to ensure conflict considerations are integrated as a strategic priority in the new CDCS.

Integrity is recruiting an experienced Researcher who is available beginning in June 2024. The Researcher should be able to commit between 40%-60% LOE throughout the period of performance in accordance with the agreed-upon schedule. The Researcher must be available to participate in a series of in-person workshops over a two-week period during mid to late July (exact dates TBD). This position is open to researchers based in Ghana and may require some in-country travel.

Scope of Work

The Researcher will provide deep thematic and contextual expertise as well as support all aspects of the assessment including desk review, assessment design, analysis and synthesis of findings, report and other written document inputs, and active participation in and planning of the workshops.

The Researcher will provide technical support and expertise to the Ghana VCA Team Leader throughout the assessment and support the assessment team with in-country logistics. This includes playing a key role during the assessment’s Tabletop VCA Exercise and Recommendations Workshop and providing technical inputs on other deliverables, ensuring high-quality services and outputs that meet the client’s needs. S/he will work closely with the PEARL Team Leader, Activity Management Unit, and Task Order Manager to ensure the activity is implemented according to PEARL standard operating procedures and meets the Task Order’s analytical and communication standards.

In addition to providing inputs for a desk review, Assessment Design, the VCA report, and the presentation and dissemination of findings, the Researcher is expected to participate fully in the design and delivery of up to four days of analytical workshops anticipated for mid-to-late July. The workshops will be held in Accra and may include sessions in Tamale. The Researcher is expected to help the Assessment team identify local experts to include in the workshops and may be asked to support with in-country logistics related to travel and workshop venues. The position reports directly to the Ghana VCA Team Leader.

Terms of Reference

The Researcher will:

• Advise the Ghana VCA team on all technical aspects relating to the assessment, providing them with contextually expert insights to inform all deliverables and ensure findings are locally informed.
• Help the Team Leader prepare and deliver a VCA Tabletop Exercise and Recommendations Workshop, including by designing workshop sessions, working with the Assessment Team to identify relevant local experts, and participating actively in all workshop sessions.
• Conduct desk-based research and advise on the most up-to-date research available on key thematic areas of interest to USAID.
• Provide inputs into presentations, Assessment Design, and Assessment Report, helping the VCA team to incorporate any comments and questions raised by USAID.
• Support the dissemination of findings, conclusions, and recommendations in a format that is user-friendly and suitable for collaboration, learning, and adaptation.
• Provided in-country logistics support as necessary.
• Other tasks as requested/required by the Ghana VCA Activity Director and/or Team Leader. In particular, this may include providing in-country logistics support, attending orientation sessions, and attending consultations with Mission staff.

Your Experience and Expertise

You will have:

• Bachelor’s degree required (advanced degree preferred) in a field relevant to conflict studies, political science, international development, or related studies.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the humanitarian or international development field.
• Demonstrated experience implementing research projects, evaluations, or conflict assessments.
• Strong writing/organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to deliver written products (research reports and PowerPoint slides) required.
• Experience using computer/data analysis software including Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Creative suite, and database management systems.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Extensive Ghana and/or regional experience examining issues of conflict, violence, and political economy analysis.
• Knowledge of the social, political, and economic factors affecting populations in Ghana, with strong research networks.
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well with a diverse team in different geographic locations.
• Ability to work for extended hours when required.

It is desirable that you will also have:

• Experience using quantitative, geospatial, and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, particularly in complex and conflict-affected environments.
• Familiarity with development approaches to stabilization, conflict and violence prevention, and/or relevant governance and fragility programming.
• Experience working with USAID is preferred.

Languages:

• Written and oral fluency in English required, with the ability to write clear and compelling narrative;
• Proficiency in a Ghanaian language preferred.