Associate Researcher (Managing Exits from Armed Conflict)

Über den Job

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institution within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community to develop the practical, innovative ideas needed to find solutions to critical security problems.

UNIDIR’s Managing Exits from Armed Conflict Project seeks to understand how and why people enter and exit armed groups, disarm and transition fully and sustainably into civilian life. The project generates evidence to inform policies and interventions that prevent recruitment, support reintegration and promote micro-disarmament.

The objective of this position is to conduct research and support the coordination of the project’s activities in the Lake Chad Basin.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Researcher and the Head of Project, the Associate Researcher will be responsible for the following duties:

Coordinate research activities in the Lake Chad Basin region, conduct research and contribute to the development of a range of analytical outputs to share the research findings of these studies:

• Help finalize the surveys for the Lake Chad Basin and North West Nigeria.
• Work with local research partners and the project’s management to design and oversee the research plans.
• Coordinate with, and support, local research partners.
• Build and nurture relationships with government, research, local and UN partners in the region working on conflict transitions and conduct related outreach.
• Help design, stand up and oversee a data collection in the region, including supporting enumerator training design and performing data monitoring functions.
• As needed, conduct interviews and focus groups, and assist with survey rollout across the region.
• Produce transcripts and review those produced by other researchers.
• Contribute to cross-case analyses for the project and its other strategic products.
• Document project rollout in Lake Chad Basin countries for use in guidance for the project’s tools.
• Produce findings reports and other analytical products (and oversee their translation and design) for a variety of practitioner, policymaker and general audiences.
• Help develop different ways to message the project’s findings in the Lake Chad Basin region, including through social media, and feedback loop closure activities with study respondents.
• Present research findings and help practitioners work through their programmatic implications at dissemination events.
• Keep abreast of relevant external research, publications and events in the conflict reintegration space.
• Lead the finalization of the Lake Chad Basin surveys, codebooks and de-identified data for sharing as a public good.

Schedule for the proposed work

A workplan for the duration of the contract will be established within the first two weeks of the contract. The Associate Researcher will have regular communication with the Head of Project and Senior Researcher in order to set assignments within the workplan and monitor progress. S/he will proactively inform the Head of Project if there are any issues concerning meeting agreed deliverables and deadlines.

Performance indicators

The Associate Researcher will be evaluated at the end of the contract. Performance indicators include:

• Assignments are completed on time and to the satisfaction of the Head of Project.
• Engagement is professional, team oriented and positive.
• The Associate Researcher participates actively in the activities of the Institute.
• The Associate Researcher demonstrates the core values of the UN and the core competencies described below in the discharge of their duties.

Competencies

The Associate Researcher is required to demonstrate the core values of the United Nations: Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity. In addition, s/he will demonstrate the following competences:

• Planning and 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.

Qualifications and experience

Education

Advanced university qualification (master’s degree or equivalent) in international affairs, social science, international law, public administration, disarmament and arms control, international security, peace studies, conflict studies or a related field is required. A bachelor’s degree, in addition to two years of relevant work experience, is considered in lieu of a master’s degree.

Experience

• A minimum of two years’ experience in research or research project management is required.
• Experience in research, including quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as literature reviews and policy research, is required.
• Experience in the Lake Chad Basin is required. Being located in the region with a right to work there is preferred, but other locations can be considered. UNIDIR cannot provide visa support.
• Proficiency in French and English is required; knowledge of Kanuri, Hausa, Shuwa Arabic, Fulfulde, Buduma is desirable.
• Computer competency, including but not limited to Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), is required.
• Experience working on conflict prevention, reintegration, disarmament, peacebuilding and/or development issues – preferably in the region – is required.
• A successful track record in research project management is required, including in the following areas: designing project activities; monitoring timelines and milestones; implementing activities within budget and on time; overseeing and guiding research activities of team members; and conducting follow-up on project activities.
• Familiarity with relevant stakeholders in the Lake Chad Basin, including local, national and regional institutions, UN organizations, local research organizations, civil society, religious leaders, etc. is desirable.
• Demonstrated history of excellent drafting, editing and layout of publications is required.
• Knowledge of gender issues or experience with gender mainstreaming in a field relevant to the position is desirable.

Language

For this assignment, fluency in English and French (both written and oral) is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Travel

Occasional travel is required for this role. The Associate Researcher must complete the UN BSAFE online course and provide UNIDIR with a certificate of completion.

Copyright

UNIDIR retains copyright of all documents and the ownership of the intellectual property resulting from all work carried out under this contract. The Associate Researcher warrants that any written work will be original works or that where s/he incorporates copyright material from another source, copyright permission for its use will be obtained. Written output(s) may be attributed to the Associate Researcher.

How to apply

The applicant should submit:

• A cover letter
• A CV or a PDF of a UN Personal History Profile (PHP) created via Inspira. Please refer to the consultant roster guide.
• Name and contact details of three references

Applications should be sent as email attachments, with the subject line “Application: MEAC Associate Researcher-Resident” to E-Mail schreiben. No applications will be accepted by post. Deadline for submission of applications is 2 November 2026. Closing date is midnight Geneva time.

Preference will be given to consultants based in Nigeria, Cameroon or Chad, and possibly Niger.

Please note

Incomplete applications and applications generated with artificial intelligence will not be processed.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you move forward in the process, you may be contacted for further assessment.

UNIDIR is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.