Local Development Researcher

Since 2018, SKL International is implementing the “Resilience in Local Governance” (Reslog) project. Reslog aims to strengthen resilience, with a focus on livelihood opportunities and increased access to public services and is implemented in the Akkar governorate, a vulnerable area in the north of the country that hosts significant numbers of Syrians. Based on a holistic approach to local governance and resilience development, Reslog addresses issues such as capacity gaps, institutional framework, planning processes and decision-making procedures, looking at interactions between vertical and horizontal actors within the system, and the enabling environment.

In this framework, SKL I is recruiting a short-term Local Development Researcher. The consultant will draft a Policy Brief of ca. 3,000 words on building resilience in local governance in Lebanon, specifically in Akkar, taking into consideration institutional capacities, local development planning, inclusive public service delivery, citizen participation and accountability. The municipal unions of Dreib El-Awsat and Jurd El-Qayteh will serve as case studies.

Your Tasks:

The consultant will draft a Policy Brief according to the following guidelines:

• Develop an annotated Table of Contents for the report that includes a proposed methodology and an analytical framework, and revise it based on SKLI partner's input ( DRI)
• Conduct primary research by attending select project activities (workshops, town hall meetings etc.) in Akkar and conduct field visits in Akkar to map and interview key stakeholders. Existing project documentation (e. g. area mapping, needs assessments, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning data) will be shared to guide the research;
• Provide a forward-looking analysis on local governance and development in Akkar, identifying challenges and opportunities for building resilience in both host and refugee communities;
• Produce a manuscript with no more than 3,000 words, including a bibliography, actionable policy recommendations and a highly readable Executive Summary;
• The writing should be crisp and concise and follow a think tank style. The written language is British English;
• The consultant must be available for regular meetings with DRI to review and discuss the research progress;
• Review and proof-read the final manuscript after copy-editing and layout, in the original language (English) as well as the translation (Arabic).

Your Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Social Science, Political Science, Public Administration, Development Studies, Public Policy, Economics, Law or equivalent;
• At least five (5) years of research and practitioner’s experience in local development and/or governance in Lebanon. Comparative expertise is a strong asset;
• Proven publication record on development issues, democratisation, local governance;
• Proven experience in designing research methodologies and data collection in challenging environments;
• Knowledge of the work of Lebanese municipalities and municipal unions in theory and practice;
• Ability to write concisely in a think tank style requiring minimum revision.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is a requirement.

SKL International  is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. We strongly encourage qualified females to apply for this position.