Call for Syrian Experts: Peacebuilding, Social Cohesion & Conflict Analysis (Syria)

Contract Type: Individual Consultancy; Project-Based
Eligibility: Syrian nationals or non-Syrian consultants currently residing in Syria only

Trust Consultancy & Development (TCD) is seeking experienced consultants to join its roster of experts in peacebuilding, social cohesion, conflict analysis and conflict sensitivity to support upcoming Third-Party Monitoring (TPM), evaluations, assessments, research and advisory assignments in Syria.

Selected consultants will be included in TCD's consultant roster and may be considered for future short-term consultancy opportunities based on their technical expertise, geographical experience, availability and the requirements of specific assignments.

Primary geographic scope: Syria

About the Call

Trust is expanding its roster of experts with strong knowledge and practical experience related to conflict dynamics, peacebuilding, social cohesion, community resilience and conflict-sensitive programming in Syria.

We are particularly interested in experts with recent, first-hand knowledge of the Syrian context, including local conflict and social dynamics, community relations, displacement and return, and the factors influencing social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

Areas of Expertise

Applicants should have strong experience in one or more of the following:

1. Conflict analysis and conflict mapping, including conflict drivers, actors, dynamics, triggers and trends;
2. Peacebuilding and social cohesion, including community-based peacebuilding, dialogue, reconciliation, trust-building and peaceful coexistence;
3. Conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm, including conflict-sensitive programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
4. Political economy and context analysis, including power relations, institutions, local governance and stakeholder analysis;
5. Community tensions and inter-/intra-community relations, including dynamics between host communities, IDPs, returnees and other population groups;
6. Displacement, return and reintegration, including social and institutional factors affecting sustainable return and community reintegration;
7. Local governance, community participation and civic engagement, including relationships between communities, local institutions and civil society;
8. Youth, women and peacebuilding, including meaningful participation, community leadership and inclusion in peace and social-cohesion initiatives;
9. Conflict-sensitive research and evaluation, including perception surveys, KIIs, FGDs, participatory methods, outcome harvesting and qualitative analysis;
10. Early recovery, resilience and stabilization, particularly where interventions interact with conflict dynamics, social cohesion and local institutions.

Qualifications & Experience

Applicants should have:

• Syrian nationality and current residence in Syria, or be a non-Syrian consultant currently based in Syria;
• A relevant university degree in peace and conflict studies, political science, international relations, sociology, development studies, anthropology, public policy, law or another relevant field;
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience; senior/lead experts should preferably have 10+ years;
• Recent professional experience related to peacebuilding, social cohesion, conflict analysis or conflict-sensitive programming in Syria, preferably within the last three years;
• Strong understanding of Syria's conflict dynamics, social structures, displacement and return dynamics, local institutions and community relations;
• Experience conducting or contributing to conflict analyses, assessments, evaluations, research or peacebuilding/social-cohesion programmes;
• Strong qualitative research, analytical and report-writing skills;
• Ability to engage sensitively with communities, civil society, local institutions and other stakeholders;
• Arabic fluency; professional English is strongly preferred.

International Organization & Donor Experience

Previous experience with UNDP, UN agencies, the World Bank, EU-funded programmes, GIZ, international NGOs or other organizations working on peacebuilding, social cohesion, stabilization, governance and conflict sensitivity is a strong advantage.

Applicants should clearly indicate relevant assignments, including the client, assignment, year, role and main responsibilities.