Understanding youth leadership to address factors of violence and prevent violent extremism in South Asia: Examining the context and contributions of young peacebuilders in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
(June 2020 – April 2021)
Click here to download the consultant announcement
Supporting Documents:
1. ALLY Lead Researcher Terms of Reference
2. Proposal template
About ALLY
The European Union-funded project Amplifying Leadership of Local Youth in Preventing Violent Extremism in South Asia (ALLY) is hiring an independent consultant to be a Lead Researcher. The Lead Researcher will conduct research trainings and lead a study into youth leadership to address factors of violence and prevent violent extremism in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In light of improving the narrative for young people among donors, policymakers and peacebuilding practitioners, the goal of the study is to contribute to an increasingly evidence-based approach to policies and programming related to PVE by deepening the existing knowledge base on the positive roles of youth-led civic engagement related to peacebuilding. The application deadline for the role is 21 June 2020 at 11:59 pm ICT time.
The project is a youth-sensitive initiative, focused at amplifying the youth voices and actions in addressing diverse factors of violence and Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan. The project aims at increasing knowledge of the push and pull factors, enhancing the multidimensional capacity of youth leaders and their strategies, and strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships to prevent violent extremism in South Asia. The project primarily targets youth as agency-holder and strategic allies to media and decision-makers, to increase outreach for youth-led initiatives and constructive narratives that value the religious, ethnic and cultural diversity of the region. The project contributes to filling the gap of context-specific resources and collaborative regional actions on PVE in South Asia, strengthening not only regional but also national level networks and youth movements.
ALLY is funded by the European Union and implemented in a consortium of partners, including The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers/ Finn Church Aid, United Network of Young Peacebuilders, Rural Development Society, Center for Communication and Development, Youth Development Foundation, and Sri Lanka Unites.
About the Study
The study will examine the diverse factors of South Asian youth towards violent extremist discourses and youth-led innovative approaches to prevent violent extremism. The study will be a youth-led action research in the four focus countries, primarily targeting youth as well as decision-makers, community leaders and media. A comparative study led by the Lead Researcher and supported by the Young Researchers will highlight commonalities and differences between the countries, socio-economic situations, gender, age groups, among others. It will also examine youth-led initiatives and constructive narratives in different contexts that value the diversity of the region, and its impact on individuals, communities and institutions across South Asia. In the light of improving the narrative for young people among donors, policymakers and peacebuilding practitioners, the goal of the study is to contribute to an increasingly evidence-based approach to policies and programming related to PVE by deepening the existing knowledge base on the positive roles of youth-led civic engagement related to peacebuilding and PVE.
About the Role
The study is led by the Lead Researcher and is conducted in collaboration with 8 Young Researchers (two persons in each of the four countries). The Lead Researcher will have overall responsibility for the research approach, process and findings. Specifically, s/he has the primary objectives of:
● Design and facilitate 3 workshops on the topics of peer-to-peer research and data analysis
● Oversee in-country data collection by the Young Researchers
● Write 1 analytical report and 5 policy briefs (1 per each country and 1 regional) highlighting key findings
● Develop 2 youth capacity building action guide drafts with two trainers
The Lead Researcher will work closely with the Project Coordinator of FCA (based in Bangkok) and Program Coordinator of UNOY Peacebuilders (based in Agra/Delhi).
Profile of Lead Researcher:
● Master’s degree in law, human rights, political science, religion/theology or similar relevant discipline. PhD in a relevant discipline an asset.
● Excellent qualitative research and analytical skills and professional writing skills
● Understanding, and preferably experience, in youth participation in peacebuilding and prevention of violent extremism
● Good knowledge of current academic research in preventing violent extremism. Prior research projects on peacebuilding and prevention of violent extremism is an asset.
● Experience of developing and delivering workshops based on the methodology of non-formal learning, preferably focusing on youth-led research and data analysis. Experience in conducting online trainings is an asset.
● Good regional understanding of South Asia
● Demonstrated capacity to design and carry out research projects independently. Experience in leading research projects is an asset.
● Excellent written and spoken English, knowledge of local languages is an asset.
● Ability to travel to conduct one in-person training in the region
● Young candidates are particularly encouraged to apply as the project component approach is youth-led research
Application
Find more information about the assignment in the ALLY Lead Researcher Terms of Reference. To apply, interested parties should submit the application package to Mr Jaakko Virkkunen (jaakko.virkkunen@kua.fi).
The application deadline is Thursday, 18 June 2020 at 11:59 pm BKK time. The application package will include the following materials:
● Technical and financial proposal (maximum 5 pages)
● 1-3 page CV
● 1-page cover letter
● 1 work sample of previous research
● 3 professional references