Region: Global
Office: The Hague, San Jose, Harare or Nairobi
Hours: 36 hrs
Application deadline: September 15, 2024
Hivos is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Researcher to conduct research and contribute to the development and publication of research outputs on the enabling environment for civil society for a consortium set up to implement an EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE LOT 1).
With a budget of EUR 30 million and six global civil society partners, this ambitious program collaborates with local CSOs to monitor the enabling environment and contribute to early warning and action.
About the program
The EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) is a six-year program that engages and supports civil society organizations across 86 countries where civic space is under pressure. Through this program, we aim to improve the capacity and ability of civil society partners to detect and respond to situations of a deteriorating or improving enabling environment, and address and contribute to structural and systemic prerequisites for such an environment.
This EU-funded project which started in January 2024, has a budget of EUR 30 million and will be implemented over a period of six years.
The EU SEE Country Assessments (Monitoring Index), a civil society-led monitoring system designed to continuously assess the state of the enabling environment for civil society across all EU SEE partner countries, is at the heart of the program.
It is complemented by a comprehensive Early Warning Mechanism to support the anticipation and rapid response to emerging threats and opportunities by civil society and diplomatic actors.
In addition, the program will enhance civil society partners’ capacity to promote an enabling environment for civil society and amplify their voices in national, regional and global fora through knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and advocacy.
Led by Hivos, the program is implemented by a global consortium of civic space and democracy support organizations and networks, including CIVICUS, Democracy Reporting International, the European Partnership for Democracy, Forus and Transparency International.
The consortium collaborates closely with EU counterparts at Brussels and EU Delegation level, as well as EU Member States.
As the Global Lead of the program, Hivos is responsible for effective global coordination and oversight over all activities and partners, as well as for managing the EU SEE Secretariat and associated governance bodies.
Job context
The EU SEE Network is composed of national CSO partners from each of the 86 project countries. Network members are contracted by different Consortium members, with Hivos managing about a quarter of the network.
The Researcher will work closely with Hivos Network members to support the development of the EU SEE research outputs in alignment with those of other members of the Consortium.
You will manage Early Warning Mechanism incidents from national networks and develop thematic research reports or policy briefs based on regional trends on civic space. You are responsible for guiding national networks in their research journey leading to the production of high-quality National Assessments on the state of the enabling environment for civil society.
You will join the EU SEE Secretariat as a core member of the team and work closely with research and advocacy officers (Network Facilitators) from across the consortium to assess Early Warning Alerts from national partners and engage in critical conversations on enabling environment principles, data collection, verification and analysis.
You will report to and closely collaborate with the Global Program Manager, who is spearheading the entire program.
Responsibilities
Research and analysis
- Contribute to the development of knowledge materials, research tools and methodologies on the enabling environment for civil society.
- Identify and document critical trends, challenges and catalysts that contribute to the deterioration or improvements in the enabling environment.
- When necessary, develop policy briefs, position papers and other thematic briefs including in areas relevant to Hivos thematic priorities such as civic space in a digital age, gender equality and climate justice.
- Work with other consortium partners and network members to facilitate comparative analysis, develop indicators and explore data sets on the enabling environment for civil society.
Early Warning Mechanism
- Support the development and implementation of the early warning methodology together with other members of the consortium.
- Review and verify Early Warning Mechanism incidents and share with relevant actors in a timely manner.
- Identify and assess incidents and alerts that can activate advocacy actions to respond to the enabling environment.
Country Focus Reports
- Review and edit national assessments (country focus reports) from network members to ensure quality control and facilitate comparative analysis across countries or regions.
- Support network members in assessing the principles, indicators and data on the enabling environment.
- Identify regional or global trends on civic space from thematic reports and contribute to consortium-wide analysis and thought leadership.
- Work with the communications team to reproduce incidents of rapid deterioration of civic space conditions or positive changes in the enabling environment in ways that raise awareness of the incidents.
- Draft press releases, alerts or statements on a needs-basis from civic space incidents in Network member countries
Project management
- Jointly facilitate Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) and grant agreements with national networks.
- Jointly coordinate to ensure that national networks comply with FSTP agreements and timely submission of narrative and financial reports.
- Together with other consortium members, contribute to capacity strengthening activities to strengthen the capacity of networks.
Support to EU SEE Secretariat
- Contribute to the activities of the Secretariat including active participation in meetings and coordination of research activities across the Secretariat.
- Perform other tasks as necessary
Your profile
The ideal candidate should be committed to the mission statements and values of Hivos and the EU SEE and possess the following qualities and skills:
Education and experience
- Master’s Degree in Human Rights, International Development, Political Studies, International Relations, Public Administration or another relevant field.
- At least 5 year’s experience in research on civic space trends and civil society dynamics.
- Knowledge on statistics, data analysis on key principles including dimensions of the enabling environment for civil society.
- Experience in research collaborations between organizations or institutions.
Interest and knowledge
- Interest in working with an international development organization and in a program that supports civil society to develop early warning systems on civic space issues.
- Interest in statistics and data analysis on civic space and the enabling environment for civil society.
- Knowledge of human rights, civic space issues and international development.
Skills
- Proven track record of conducting high quality research and in reviewing research outputs from a variety of actors.
- Experience working on quantitative and statistical analysis.
- Experience in data collection, data visualization and in comparative analysis.
- Attention to detail and time management skills: Meticulous and can manage time efficiently.
- Have excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently and in a team, strong analytical skills, and attention to detail.
- Strong interest and commitment in defending civic space and human rights inline with Hivos objectives.
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse stakeholders at national or regional level and in networking and building relations across multiple actors.
- Sound knowledge of civic space trends and dynamics at regional or international level and on actions that constrain or promote an enabling environment for civil society.
- Strong commitment to Hivos’s mission, vision and values
What we offer
In this position you will work at Hivos’ Global Office in The Hague or in one of Hivos’s regional Hubs in San Jose, Costa Rica; Harare, Zimbabwe or Nairobi, Kenya.
How to apply
Please submit a cover letter and CV by September 15, 2024, at the latest, by clicking on the ‘Apply here’ button. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
APPLY HERE
If you are selected for the final stage of the selection process, please note that professional references and a certificate of conduct (VOG) will be requested due to our Safeguarding Policy. Exceptions will only be made, if there is a local legislation prohibition or when the candidate is unable to obtain such a certificate due to activities on LGTBIQ+ and Human Rights.
We may check social media – unless applicants state they do not wish us to do so. Accuracy of information in the curriculum vitae will also be checked.
Hivos is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diverse candidates – such as women and LGBTQIA+ people, persons with disabilities, and persons from negatively racialized groups – to apply.