Research Assistant/Intern

The Institute for Peace and Stability Operations (IPSO) is recruiting an un-paid Research Assistant/Intern for a three-month period (with the possibility for extension). IPSO is a US-based non-profit research institution and the parent organisation of Stability: International Journal of Security and Development (www.stabilityjournal.org)). This assignment is not directly related to the journal or scholarly publishing but instead pertains to IPSO's broader research agenda.

The Research Assistant/Intern will be asked to support a study related to aid delivery in highly insecure environments such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Libya and Somalia. He or she will, from their home location, undertake tasks such as:

• Summarising documents assigned by the lead researchers;
• Establishing a database to consolidate key points from desk-based and field research;
• Developing, disseminating and managing online surveys and questionnaires;
• Crafting PowerPoint presentations;
• Editing reports/memos and other materials; and
• Drafting short sections of longer reports.

This project will last up to six months (or possibly longer). The successful candidate will initially be invited to participate during the initial three-month phase but would be extended for another three months pending successful completion of the first phase.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is open to all those individuals with a demonstrated interest in humanitarian aid and development cooperation, particularly in insecure environments, and who would be able to dedicate at least 20 hours per week to this assignment starting in early or mid-August. However, the following qualifications may prove useful during the application process:

• Previous experience with research and/or a past role as a research assistant;
• A graduate degree (attained or underway) related to development studies, peace and conflict, humanitarian action or, more broadly, international relations;
• Previous experience with international NGOs, UN agencies or other implementing agencies;
• Demonstrated proficiency with databases, online forms/surveys and social medial; and
• English fluency (proficiency in Arabic or French would also be beneficial).Given that this research is of a sensitive nature, applicants should also be discrete and able to deal with information in a confidential and careful manner. The Research Assistant/Intern will not be permitted to share information -- orally or in writing -- garnered through the research during or after the internship; and such permission may only be granted several months after the internship with the expressed written permission of the supervising researchers.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS

This role is un-paid, and expenses will not be covered except under exceptional circumstances agreed in advance by the Research Assistant/Intern and the supervising researchers. However, candidates who successfully complete this position will receive: (a) a general reference letter; (b) acknowledgement in the research outputs/reports; and (c) the right to call upon the supervising researchers for future professional references.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants should submit their CV and a brief personal statement (not to exceed 300 words) indicating the following: (a) why they are interested in this role, (b) where they are based and (c) how much time they would be able to dedicate to this position on a weekly basis over the course of the coming three months. Application materials should be sent to steve.zyck@stabilityjournal.org no later than 31 July 2015. Short-listed candidates will be asked to participate in a short written test in early August.