Non-Resident Consultant, Iraq Reintegration Expert (Level C)

Background

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research—an autonomous institute within the United Nations—conducts research on disarmament and security. The Institute explores current issues pertaining to a variety of existing and future armaments, global diplomacy, and local tensions and conflicts. Working with researchers, diplomats, government officials, NGOs and other institutions since 1980, UNIDIR acts as a bridge between the research community and Member States.

UNIDIR’s Managing Exits from Armed Conflict (MEAC) Project seeks to understand how and why people exit armed groups, disarm, and fully and sustainable transition into civilian life. MEAC’s work advances UNIDIR’s mandate, particularly with regard to enhancing the international community’s knowledge of micro-disarmament and the interventions that promote it.

The objective of this consultancy is to advance MEAC’s research in Iraq

Responsibilities and outputs

Under the supervision of the non-resident consultant in in coordination with the MEAC Project Lead, the expert consultant shall deliver the following services:

1. Contribute to the finalization of the qualitative prompts
2. Run focus groups and KIIs in Jeddah-1 camp
3. Conduct interviews with Jeddah-1 returnees and community leaders (in person or by phone – location and time allowing)
4. Finalize interview and focus group transcripts for preservation
5. Contribute to the final analytical report

Tangible and measurable outputs of the consultancy

The non-resident consultant shall support the creation of the following outputs and activities for UNIDIR:

• 25 days of field work and research support including helping finalize the qualitative research prompts, conducting KIIs and focus groups in Jeddah-1 camp, conducting follow up KIIs in communities (or via the phone), finalizing transcripts, and contributing to the final report.

Performance indicators for evaluation of services provided:

Assignments described above are completed to the satisfaction of MEAC’s Head of Project and the Institute’s Senior Management. The non-resident consultant will be evaluated at the end of the contract. Performance indicators include:

• Deadlines for delivery of agreed outputs are met.
• Outputs are provided in the form and quality requested by UNIDIR.
• Key deliverables are addressed to the satisfaction of UNIDIR.
• Professional engagement is cooperative and positive.

In addition, in this role, the non-resident consultant will demonstrate the following competences:

• Planning & Organizing:  Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

The non-resident consultant is to demonstrate at all times the core values of the United Nations: Professionalism,Integrity, and Respect for Diversity.

Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

Advanced university qualification (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, social science, public administration, disarmament and arms control, international security or a related field is required.

b. Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in field research.
• Experience in the conducting KIIs and focus groups on reintegration in Iraq including with highly vulnerable populations, including children, and experience conducting sensitive research in securitized environments.   
• Proven track record in implementing research activities in line with research ethical standards and ability to flexibly adapt to operational environment conditions.
• Proven track record in producing accurate transcripts and producing excellent analytical analysis on the return process and reintegration issues in the region.
• Existing relationships in Iraq with practitioners, policymakers, and key stakeholders is desireable.

c. Language(s)

For this assignment, fluency in English (both written and oral) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable

Travel

Travels are anticipated as part of this assignment.

Budget for the contract

The consultant is required to submit invoices indicating (1) Exact title or description of work and (2) Number of days worked to UNIDIR’s Finance, Budget and Administration section.

Copyright

All outputs will be edited, fact-, and language-checked by UNIDIR. UNIDIR retains copyright of all documents, as well as ownership of the intellectual property resulting from work carried out under this assignment. The consultant warrants that all written outputs are original works or that where they incorporate copyrighted material from another source, this information is cited correctly and the necessary permission for its use is obtained. The consultant is to provide UNIDIR with written documentation, where applicable, together with the written outputs.