1. Context
1.1 Background to Landmine Action's Armed Violence Research Project
The security situation in Liberia is generally stable. However, increases in armed robbery and related secondary crimes and vigilantism are significant threats to individual and community security. In 2006, rape remained the most frequently reported crime in Liberia, and trafficking in persons is a growing concern. Furthermore, some consider there to be a strong link between crime, unemployment, lack of investor confidence and insecurity. Perhaps most troubling is the continued presence of a number of risk-factors: e.g., a legacy of recent conflict and frustrations caused by: lack of unemployment, continued ethnic tension, an anaemic justice system, poor public security, lack of public services, political marginalization, etc...
Not surprisingly, little systematic research has been conducted on armed violence in Liberia. In an effort to begin producing meaningful research to inform policy and programming aimed at preventing, mitigating, and eliminating armed violence, Landmine Action will be conducing a comprehensive mapping of the causes, effects, and characteristics of armed violence in the Greater Monrovia Metropolitan Area. The project will be composed of the following components:
- Secondary research – existing data sources and literature
- Media analysis – three main newspapers
- Key informant interviews – main national and international stakeholders
- Household surveys – 500 to 350 surveys administered by a four person research team in a sample of communities in Monrovia
- Case studies – ten-fifteen interviews with individuals and groups in four or five communities of interest
- Participatory Focus Groups – four-day focus groups with individuals two from particularly violent communities
Research will be used to inform programming and policy interventions, and will be facilitated by partnerships with, and input from, stakeholders at the community, municipal, and national levels. The research team will consist of a Project Manager, three or four Researchers, and a Research Intern.
2. Mission
2.1 Summary
There are many challenges in implementing a research project in Liberia, including data limitations, insecurity, and lack of resources. Having the right human resources is essential to overcoming these challenges to generate insightful and meaningful research. To this end, international staff can make important contributions by bringing valuable experience and skills, especially computer skills, analytical skills (both for general analysis and data analysis), and written and verbal communication skills. Importantly, participation in this particular project can also offer valuable experience in designing, implementing, analyzing, and communicating research, while contributing to peace and prosperity in Monrovia.
2.2 Job Title
Research Intern, Armed Violence Research Project, Human Security Programme, Liberia
2.3 Reporting
The Research Intern will report to the Project Manager; he/she will be responsible for managing some activities and human resources related to secondary research and media reporting.
2.4 Mission Schedule
- Until the research project is designed, implemented, and communicated, or approximately 4 months – starting January 2010.
- Renewable upon consultation with, and agreement from, the Research Intern, the Project Manager, the Country Manager (Landmine Action Liberia), and headquarters.
2.5 Location
The project will be based in Monrovia, Liberia, in the Greater Monrovia Metropolitan Area, with the potential of travel to other parts of Liberia.
2.6 Objectives
1. To contribute to the success of the Landmine Action's Armed Violence Research Project.
2. Gain skills and experience in development programming, in general, and armed violence research, in specific, in order to contribute to the professional and personal aspirations of the Research Intern.
2.7 Activities
A Research Intern will be involved in completing the primary and secondary activities listed below.
Primary activities:
1. Secondary research:
a. Manage, and (if necessary) contribute to, research using existing print and online sources on the background, causes, effects, and characteristics of armed violence in Monrovia (and Liberia).
2. Media reporting:
a. Manage, and (if necessary) contribute to media reporting activities.
3. Data processing and analysis (household surveys):
a. Inputting raw data from household surveys into electronic form, using Excel or a statistical software.
b. Filtering data to ensure consistency and accuracy.
c. Assisting in the analysis of data in order to draw conclusions about the causes, effects, and characteristics of armed violence in Monrovia.
4. Coordination and analysis of participatory focus groups:
a. Assisting in the coordination of focus groups.
b. Assisting in the implementation of focus groups.
c. Assisting in the analysis of focus group outputs.
5. Assisting in key informant and case study interviews:
a. Assisting in the coordination of interviews.
b. Assisting in the design of semi-structured interviews for interviews.
c. Assisting in the analysis of data from interviews.
d. Conducting interviews, where necessary.
6. Reporting research results, through reports, briefs, articles, etc…
7. Support to the Project Manager, as required.
Secondary Activities:
1. Assistance with the design of household surveys and participatory focus groups.
2. Interviewing key informants.
3. Monitoring of research team to ensure accuracy and consistency of research.
4. Other activities, as required by the project methodology, according to the skills and interests of the Research Intern.
2.8 Skill Requirements
A successful candidate will meet the following skill requirements:
- At least a Bachelor's degree, in development, conflict studies, or a related area.
- Experience conducting research from secondary sources, both online and print.
- Experience designing and conducting primary research (e.g., surveys, focus groups, interviews, etc…).
- Experience interpreting using Microsoft Excel or statistical software.
- Experience reporting research, through reports, briefs, and presentations.
- Knowledge of issues relating to armed violence and conflict, especially in West Africa.
- Fluency in English (spoken/written) necessary.
- Capable of working autonomously, and as part of a multi-cultural team.
- Result-oriented, with excellent analytical skills and the capacity to adapt to challenging and sensitive context.
- Experience working in a developing country is an asset.
- Experience networking and communicating with all levels of government and management would be an asset.
2.9 Key Reference Documents
Landmine Action website:
http://www.landmineaction.org/
Landmine Action. Preliminary Armed Violence Research Project – Methodology. Internal discussion document outlining the Armed Violence Research Project. 2009.
Landmine Action. Armed Violence Observatory & Monrovia Armed Violence Baseline and Feasibility Study for Responsive Projects. Project Proposal. 2009.
