Uganda: Peacebuilding Research Consultant

The Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy in Conflict-Affected Contexts (PBEA) programme, funded by the Government of the Netherlands, is a four year programme (2012-2015) designed to strengthen resilience, social cohesion and human security in countries at risk of, experiencing, or recovering from conflict. The PBEA programme is an innovative programme that addresses the drivers of conflict through education, and promotes peacebuilding through education sectors interventions.

Many of the PBEA interventions are part of complex processes whose progress and achievements cannot easily be described quantitatively. Case studies provide a unique opportunity to understand, in-depth, the impact and processes of education and peacebuilding within real-life contexts. This is particularly important in countries impacted by conflict and instability where the situation can change rapidly.

One of the global and country level outcomes (Outcome 5) contributes to the generation and use of evidence and knowledge in policies and programming related to education, conflict and peacebuilding. Country level case studies are an integral component of the monitoring and evaluation strategy for the PBEA programme. Moreover, as we approach the end of the current phase of the PBEA programme, in anticipation of a follow up PBEA programme, and in support of current Country Program development, strategically relevant programming areas call for in-depth impact assessment.

UNICEF Uganda seeks to recruit a technical expert to carry out two research interventions to investigate and document the impact of PBEA’s work to tackle violence against children in schools (VACiS) and an innovative intervention in Karamoja to promote peacebuilding competencies of adolescents and youth to promote social cohesion and resilience to conflict in their communities. The technical expert will be supervised by UNICEF Uganda’s Peacebuilding Specialist and PBEA Program Manager, and supported by the PBEA M&E Specialist.Scope of Work

The objective of this engagement is to implement two research interventions to document best practices and impact of two of the PBEA’s key strategic areas of programming (VACiS and Adolescents/Youth & Peacebuilding) to support programme development.

This will be achieved through the following interventions:

• Consultative process with diverse internal and external stakeholders to the PBEA program

• participatory community based research interventions to document programme impact and capture lessons learned/best practices

• Validation of the research to promote ownership of the results amongst key stakeholders and support inclusive programme development efforts

• Development of two high quality and publication-worthy Case Studies documenting impact and lessons learned/best practices of two critical areas of PBEA programming: VACiS and Adolescents/Youth & Peacebuilding. Methodology:

The assignment will include a desk-based review of the PBEA relevant programme documents on VACiS and Adolescent/Youth and Peacebuilding as well as relevant policy and reports. Extensive field research to collect primary data in PBEA intervention areas will also be undertaken. Therefore, the assignment will involve frequent travel to the field to implement a participatory research methodology in close collaboration with UNICEF Field Office staff, District authorities, PBEA partners, and PBEA program beneficiaries. Desired background, qualifications, experience, and competencies:

• Advance university degree (Masters) in conflict/peace/international/development studies and/or research methodologies

• Minimum five years demonstrable experience of carrying out high quality participatory community based research in support of peacebuilding programmes, including Uganda and/or East Africa

• Proven track record of developing and publishing high quality research/evaluation products (samples will be requested) essential

• Excellent analytical skills essential

• Ability/capacity to organize and implement field-based participatory consultation and research interventions (logistics, community mobilization, human/financial management) essential

• Experience of engaging children and adolescents in participatory processes essential

• Excellent team/group facilitation skills in community consultation/research processes essential

• Ability to engage diverse stakeholders in participatory processes in the Uganda context (Ministry, Districts, education institutions, civil society, community leaders, women, youth, children) essential

• Fluency in English language and excellent drafting skills essential

• Understanding of the education sector in Uganda, and of adolescents/youth participation and child protection issues desirable

• Knowledge of local languages and customs desirable

How to Apply

Applicants interested in the above position should send their Applications accompanied by a resume and P11 Form Via email to: ugderecruit@unicef.org, clearly indicating the position applied for and using the specified order to name attachments (Firstname_Lastname followed by document e.g. First name_Last Name P11 or First name_Last Name CV or First name_Last Name Application.

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNICEF is a smoke free environment.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Closing date for applications is 24 September 2015.