Senior Analyst

Position Title: Senior Analyst
Reference Number: 230904
Position Location: Remote (MENA timezone-based: preferably Lebanon)
Scope: Part Time (Day Rate Consultancy) – Full Time can be considered depending on the profile of the candidate
Timeframe: Subject to funding availability
Supervisor: Country Director

Overview: This Scope of Work (SoW) outlines the Senior Analyst (Roster consultant) position with the Center for Operational Analysis and Research (COAR). The Senior Analyst will produce research and deliverables as outlined below, drawing on a thorough understanding of the donor-funded humanitarian and development responses to conflict/crisis in Syria and other MENA contexts in which COAR undertakes its work. When active, the Senior Analyst will work closely with the Research and Policy Advisor, analytical team colleagues, and support staff to deliver multiple tasks and projects through qualitative and quantitative data collection and synthesis. The Senior Analyst will also take a leading role in the production of research reports and may supervise other COAR research staff and analysts as appropriate. The production of written research outputs is critical to this role. Applicants will be required to complete a written test (in English) as part of the application process.

About COAR: COAR is an independent social enterprise that directly supports practitioners, policy-makers, and donors by facilitating humanitarian and development interventions in complex, fragile, and high-risk environments. COAR delivers neutral and objective research and analysis, which identifies - but does not influence - local stakeholders, relationships, interests, and analyses broader political, economic, social, and security dynamics and trends. COAR research leverages social media, personal networks, field research teams, and local experts in order to map and translate the local human context; COAR analysis synthesises and studies this data in order to inform both programmatic and strategic decision-making, reduce security and conflict-sensitivity risks, and increase the impact of humanitarian, development, stabilisation, peace-building, and peacekeeping initiatives.

Objectives

• To lead on both short-form reporting and longer longitudinal and thematic analyses spanning issues of: security/conflict, governance, regional interventions, economics, society, extremism and radicalisation, and humanitarian/development dynamics in Syria and other MENA contexts as appropriate.
• To assume full responsibility for the timely submission of high-quality deliverables as required.
• To collaborate with other analysts such that they are supported to deliver overarching project objectives.
• To provide well-researched, evidence-based insight and programmatically-relevant recommendations to humanitarian and development organisations using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• To support COAR’s strategic thinking as it relates project opportunities in Syria and other MENA country contexts as appropriate.

Activities

• Initiate, support, or collaborate with other analysts to ensure an active engagement with relevant military/security, political, economic, social, service provision, regional intervention, and humanitarian/development trends and events in Syria and other MENA contexts as appropriate;
• Collaborate with and advise other team members and donors/clients in order to develop research plans, methodologies, and timelines for thematic research which are mindful of resource constraints;
• Maintain and develop a sophisticated understanding of relevant development/humanitarian responses, to include political red-lines, sectoral risks, and client/donor objectives at the strategic and programmatic level;
• Prepare and deliver independent and joint briefings and presentations to senior stakeholders, tailored to audience interests and sensitivities;
• Develop and articulate original ideas with respect to the international response to COAR country contexts and lead and design research, collaborate to oversee recruitment of external consultants, lead structural/editorial review, support on design of infographics and layout, and ensure final deliverables are of high quality;
• Support COAR’s data visualization and analytics by collaborating with the COAR research team, information management, and analytic focal points to identify qualitative data collection opportunities.
• Advise/implement stakeholder and community mapping and profiling, and political economy analysis, with an emphasis on client/donor/project specifications and objectives;
• Independently collaborate with other COAR project teams, researchers, and support functions;
• Support in-depth thematic research, project/sectoral document review, and literature review as required.

Deliverables

• Assume responsibility for the design and implementation of research plans based on client requests.
• Plan and conduct primary and secondary research in partnership with relevant colleagues, including other analysts, COAR field network, and expert consultants and advisors.
• Oversee and draft a range of analytical deliverables, to include:
  • conflict analyses;
  • conflict sensitivity assessments;
  • political economy analyses;
  • reporting and longitudinal analyses on themes such as: security/conflict, governance, regional interventions, economics, society, and humanitarian/development dynamics and interventions;
  • safeguarding/programmatic risk assessments.
• Respond to written and oral ad-hoc requests for information from the COAR team COAR and clients.
• Ensure timely delivery of the above products.
• Identify partners and experts positioned to support COAR research and monitor their performance against project obligations.
• Ensure high-quality deliverables (to include English language grammar and syntax);
• Present verbal updates and briefings on relevant projects to COAR clients, partners, donors, and other associated stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Excellent knowledge of the Syria context
• Fluency in English and at least working proficiency in Arabic
• A Master’s degree in Political Science, International Affairs/Relations, Middle East Studies, Public Policy, Anthropology, Sociology, Journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum five years collecting and analyzing qualitative data for media outlets, think tanks, research organisations, NGOs, or other research or information-oriented entity.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Syrian context and/or aid responses in parallel.
• Experience producing research and research projects independently.
• Demonstrated familiarity of donor-funded humanitarian, early recovery, stabilisation, and/or development architecture.
• Demonstrated ability and/or willingness to work under tight deadlines, provide real-time data points and analysis with accuracy under pressure.
• Excellent English written and verbal skills.
• Commitment to discretion and confidentiality.

Desirable:

• Prior experience working on sensitive subjects, particularly in relation to international affairs, politics, and foreign aid.
• Publication history, including for media outlets.
• Prior experience with I/NGOs engaged in humanitarian and development programming.
• Additional postgraduate research, including PhD candidacy.
• Familiarity with data visualisation techniques.
• Arabic language skills.
• Willingness to travel for short periods as may be required.