Closing date: 08 Jul 2017
I. About Saferworld
Saferworld is an independent international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work with local people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and conduct wider research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning to improve local, national and international policies and practices that can help build lasting peace. Our priority is people – we believe that everyone should be able to lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from insecurity and violent conflict.
We are a not-for-profit organisation with programmes in nearly 20 countries and territories across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
II. Background
Saferworld is collaborating with Oxfam/Novib to undertake research on the links between gender norms (both masculinities and femininities), conflict and peace processes. The research intends to go beyond a focus on the impacts of conflict and peace on men and women, to analyse how gender norms can fuel conflict and/or contribute to peace. The research will be conducted in Myanmar and South Sudan, and a consultant is sought to work with Saferworld on undertaking the South Sudan research in particular.
III. Objectives of the research
The research aims to influence more effective and informed strategies to prevent violent conflict and foster transformative peacebuilding, through generating evidence on the role that gender norms, both masculinities and femininities, play in conflict and peace.
Specifically the research will:
· Generate evidence: Increase understanding around how norms associated with masculinity and femininity drive people’s involvement in, role in and impact the direction of conflict and peace processes.
· Highlight entry points: Generate recommendations on points of entry for leveraging gender norms for greater peace outcomes.
· Promote uptake: Inform donor strategies and practitioner programming, advocating for a more in-depth approach that addresses the normative structures that drive violence, supports peace, and allows people of all genders to claim a voice.
IV. Description of the task
The consultant will:
i. Identify (with support from Saferworld/Oxfam/Novib colleagues) existing research and programming lessons from South Sudan on the interaction between gender norms, conflict and peace processes; and a brief mapping of the organisations involved in doing such work. Draw conclusions from this review of where the current research needs to focus in order to respond to knowledge gaps.[1]
ii. In collaboration with Saferworld staff in London and South Sudan, and Oxfam/Novib staff in South Sudan, finalise the research methodology for the field research.
iii. As part of the preparation for the field work, and with support of the Saferworld staff, design and deliver a training for the research team in country to prepare them for the research. The training will include orientation on the Saferworld toolkit, and other research methodologies as needed (e.g. conducting focus group discussions and key informant interviews).
iv. Travel to two target locations within South Sudan (to be decided) with the rest of the research team to conduct the research and manage research database including transcriptions, with support from Saferworld.
v. Compile a research report of the findings; and (budget-allowing) attend validation workshops in country. Conduct a final debrief workshop in-country with researchers to document analysis of collected data to inform the final report.
vi. Working with the Saferworld staff, and based on the research findings, develop ideas for programming in South Sudan on challenging and transforming gender norms that fuel conflict and undermine peace. This should include potential context-specific theories of change for programmes, potentially entry points and particular key actors to engage. This includes liaising with the in-country CSO Reference Group to identify entry points.
V. Timeframe
The consultant will need to conduct the above work over 34 days, between July and October 2017.
[1] This will build on a piece of research Saferworld has commissioned in early 2017 to review lessons learned on programming on gender norms conflict-affected contexts.
How to apply:
Please go to our website: www.saferworld.org.uk/about/jobs for full Terms of Reference and details of how to apply.