Research Officer

Basmeh & Zeitooneh’s Advocacy & Research Unit translates the organization’s local knowledge, informed by continuous engagement with vulnerable communities in Lebanon, Turkey and Erbil and deepened by research efforts, into concrete advocacy asks from policymakers, governments, donors, and other stakeholders. The communities that Basmeh & Zeitooneh works with are structurally deprived of their basic rights, and the fact that the organisation mainly recruits local staff in its community centers, means that it is able to gauge the legal, physical and material protection needs. In order to strengthen its understanding of these communities, to back up its advocacy asks with evidence and to contribute to a body of knowledge, the Unit engages in several research efforts.  

The main objectives of the Unit include: 

▪ to work towards the adoption, implementation and enforcement of laws and policies that guarantee the basic human rights of people that have been forcibly displaced and are now living in marginalized areas in Lebanon and Turkey;

▪ to support and amplify the voice of people in Lebanon and Turkey that are negatively affected by the Syrian Crisis; 

▪ to improve the access to information and services for those that are negatively affected by the Syrian Crisis;

▪ to enhance awareness in the international donor community on key issues faced by displaced people in Lebanon and Turkey;

▪ to play a leading role in networks of civil society organisations and think tanks, to amplify the organisation’s voice and increase efficiency in reaching law, policy and decision makers at the local, national and international level. 

The main themes the Unit works on include but are not limited to refugee protection and durable solutions, localization, aid worker protection, and education. The Research Officer will work on research projects that are already defined, but is also strongly encouraged to expand existing and suggest new initiatives within B&Z’s larger advocacy & research strategy. 

The Research Officer will reinforce the Unit by conducting desk and field research, monitoring relevant human rights, humanitarian and political developments, and developing research reports, position papers, and other written materials, in line with the Unit’s advocacy strategies. The Research Officer will also contribute to the development of key messages, policy recommendations and advocacy strategies of the Unit, and participate in meetings, lobby events and workshops.

Major Activities: 

Research

• Conduct literature reviews
• Monitor and stay abreast of relevant human rights, humanitarian and political developments in Lebanon, the region and Europe 
• Liaise with B&Z staff to monitor developments in the field 
• Prepare (develop questionnaires, recruit subjects, set schedules) and conduct data collection (interviews, Focus Group Discussions) in Lebanon and abroad (via online tools) 
• Supervise data enumerators as necessary 
• Review and ensure accuracy and completeness of data, follow up with subjects or enumerators to resolve problems or clarify data collected
• Process, handle, and analyze data in appropriate manner; improving and expanding existing tools
• Provide regular updates on progress and findings to Head of Unit and external partners, both in writing and orally
• Contribute to developing research protocols
• Develop new research ideas, tactics and proposals

Advocacy 

• Suggest policy recommendations based on research findings
• Prepare briefs, reports, presentations and other written outputs in accordance with advocacy objectives; review as necessary 
• Contribute to organizing and preparing advocacy meetings and events  
• Contribute to the development of Basmeh and Zeitooneh’s long-term advocacy strategy 
   

Project management

• Manage and respond to project related email
• Attend and organize internal and external project meetings
• Prepare progress reports as necessary
• Attend thematic seminars and other meetings as necessary
• Request and manage resources within the scope of the budget
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
• Track progress over time and collect lessons learnt
• Contribute to securing funding and establishing partnerships 
• Contribute to developing Unit protocols

Education & Experience 

• Master’s degree in the social sciences, law, or economics
• Proven experience in a relevant research field 
• At least 2 years professional experience in an NGO or thinktank with a focus on the Syrian Crisis or a situation of protracted displacement