Consultant(e) Senior Project Associate DTM Research

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is involved in addressing complex and multidimensional mobility dynamics in Chad, which is situated at the crossroads of movements connecting West Africa, Central Africa, North Africa, and East Africa. The organization focuses on various forms of mobility, including cross-border movements, mixed migrations, forced displacements, returns, expulsions, economic migrations, pastoral mobility, movements associated with mining activities, and those influenced by conflicts and environmental factors. The organization aims to enhance its applied research program to produce robust and usable knowledge for migration analysis, public policy support, and operational response guidance.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Associate will ensure methodological coherence, scientific quality, and operational valorization of the planned studies in collaboration with national institutions, universities, research centers, and development partners. The role involves defining and implementing a priority research program on migration, collaboratively conducting studies on emerging migratory dynamics, analyzing cross-border mobility and migration corridors, examining illicit trafficking of migrants, human trafficking, and displacement trends. The associate will also create and operationalize a migration research and data network, organize research forums, public policy dialogues, and dissemination events, and transform research findings into relevant recommendations for public policies and operational responses. The consultant will support the DTM Coordinator in defining a priority research agenda, preparing protocols and tools, monitoring collaborative studies, analyzing data, producing reports and policy notes, and organizing dissemination and technical dialogue activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for ensuring methodological coherence, scientific rigor, and technical quality of research activities implemented under the DTM, ensuring their operational relevance and alignment with national and institutional priorities. They will contribute to the design, planning, and implementation of a priority research program on migration, human mobility, and displacements in Chad. The consultant will lead or coordinate studies and analyses on emerging migratory dynamics in collaboration with governmental institutions, universities, research centers, and technical and financial partners. They will develop and apply analytical frameworks and methodologies to better understand cross-border mobility, migration corridors, and factors influencing population movements. The consultant will produce analyses and knowledge on illicit trafficking of migrants, human trafficking, forced displacements, mixed movements, and other relevant migratory phenomena for the Chadian and regional context. They will support the creation, structuring, and operationalization of the migration research and data network, fostering collaboration among academic, governmental, and humanitarian actors. The consultant will also contribute to transforming research results and evidence into operational and strategic recommendations to inform public policy development, programming, and decision-making. They will assist the DTM team in designing and implementing thematic studies on migration related to mining areas, cross-border flows, forced displacements, mixed movements, and other emerging migratory trends. Additionally, they will contribute to the production, revision, and dissemination of technical publications, research reports, analytical notes, articles, and knowledge products intended for authorities, partners, and donors. The consultant will support the organization of conferences, research forums, policy dialogues, technical workshops, and dissemination events to promote the use of data and research findings in decision-making processes. They will provide technical support for capacity-building activities for governmental partners, academic institutions, and members of the migration research and data network regarding research methods, analysis, and data management. Finally, they will perform any other related tasks within their area of expertise as needed by the program and in accordance with the supervisor's guidance.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a PhD in demography, migration studies, human geography, sociology, anthropology, political science, development economics, applied statistics, international relations, or a closely related field to migration research. A specialization or research work focusing on migration, human mobility, forced displacements, refugees, migration policies, or cross-border dynamics is a significant asset. Candidates should have at least three years of postdoctoral professional or academic experience in conducting applied or academic research on migration, population displacement, or related issues. A solid experience in designing and implementing research programs, including formulating protocols, methodologies, and analytical frameworks, is essential. Demonstrated experience in conducting quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research is required, along with a proven track record of publishing scientific articles, working papers, research reports, or peer-reviewed academic publications. Experience in supervising or mentoring researchers, research assistants, or master's or doctoral students is also necessary. Collaboration experience with universities, research centers, national statistical institutes, or international organizations is important. A good understanding of issues related to international migration, forced displacements, cross-border mobility, illicit trafficking of migrants, and human trafficking is required. Research experience in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region or the Lake Chad basin, is a significant advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Doctorate (PhD) in demography, migration studies, human geography, sociology, anthropology, political science, development economics, applied statistics, international relations, or a closely related field to migration research. A specialization or research work focusing on migration, human mobility, forced displacements, refugees, migration policies, or cross-border dynamics is a significant asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of postdoctoral professional or academic experience in conducting applied or academic research on migration, population displacement, or related issues. A solid experience in designing and implementing research programs, including formulating protocols, methodologies, and analytical frameworks, is essential. Demonstrated experience in conducting quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research is required, along with a proven track record of publishing scientific articles, working papers, research reports, or peer-reviewed academic publications. Experience in supervising or mentoring researchers, research assistants, or master's or doctoral students is also necessary. Collaboration experience with universities, research centers, national statistical institutes, or international organizations is important. A good understanding of issues related to international migration, forced displacements, cross-border mobility, illicit trafficking of migrants, and human trafficking is required. Research experience in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region or the Lake Chad basin, is a significant advantage.

Languages:
Excellent command of both French and English is mandatory, particularly in academic and scientific writing. The ability to translate research findings into strategic recommendations and knowledge products for public decision-makers and development partners is essential. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve full-time engagement, and the consultant will be expected to work closely with various stakeholders, including governmental partners, academic institutions, and humanitarian actors. The role may require international collaboration and travel within the region. Compensation and benefits will be commensurate with experience and organizational standards.