This position is based in Damascus and is an unaccompanied post. It is contingent upon donor funding. While on-the-ground operations are being finalized, the position will initially be remote.
*Please note: This position is an unaccompanied post and is contingent upon donor funding. Contracting is subject to confirmation of project award and scope.
The contract period is one year, renewable contingent upon funding and performance.
Search for Common Ground
In a world often divided, Search for Common Ground stands for the power of bringing diverse people together to find solutions. By meeting this moment with Search, you join a powerful global peace movement that believes in the profound impact of courageous multipartiality – that all voices should be heard and respected in shaping a better, more connected world, and a collaborative vision is essential for lasting peace.
Search for Common Ground adopts a dynamic approach by developing solutions tailored to the specific needs of communities. We engage with leaders and elected officials to advance dialogue and collaboration. We are community leaders. We are youth activists. We are women. We are Peacebuilders. We have been doing this work for over 40 years, and we have developed a deep understanding of what peace looks like, enabling us to quantify our impact and design more effective programming. Peace moves at the speed of trust, so we invest for the long haul. When we’re no longer needed, we leave, leaving behind people and institutions with the ability to manage future conflicts.
Position Summary
The Senior Research and Analysis Lead plays a key strategic role in shaping and delivering high-quality research, analysis, and learning across our peacebuilding, stabilization, and social cohesion programming. The role supports evidence-driven programming and policy engagement by leading context analysis, impact assessments, and applied research linked to our country and regional strategies.
The successful candidate will guide the design and delivery of mixed-methods research, foster partnerships with academic institutions and local researchers, and ensure that research outputs inform both program implementation and external positioning. This role also plays a critical part in donor engagement and external representation, positioning the organization as a knowledge leader in peacebuilding, mediation, and social cohesion.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Research & Analysis
- Lead the development of a coherent research and learning agenda aligned with organizational and programmatic goals.
- Produce regular political economy analyses (PEAs), conflict sensitivity reports, and risk assessments to inform programming.
- Translate research findings into actionable insights for program design, adaptive management, and advocacy.
- Design and manage mixed-methods studies (e.g., baseline surveys, endline surveys, perception surveys, case studies).
- Ensure that ethical, participatory, and conflict-sensitive approaches are used in data collection and analysis.
- Coordinate external research consultants and local partners to deliver on-time, high-quality outputs.
- Thought Leadership & Learning
- Contribute to internal learning and knowledge-sharing systems to enhance program quality and innovation.
- Represent the organization in external research partnerships, working groups, and policy dialogues.
- Develop policy briefs, evidence digests, and learning papers to support donor engagement and inform policy decisions.
Learning and Knowledge Translation
- Synthesize complex data into actionable insights for program and senior leadership teams.
- Coordinate internal learning reviews, after-action reflections, and knowledge-sharing events across departments and partners.
- Create research briefs, learning digests, and donor-facing reports that highlight impact and innovation, showcasing the achievements of our organization.
Donor & Partner Engagement
- Contribute to proposal design with context analysis, evidence use strategies, and learning frameworks.
- Represent the organization in donor briefings, policy dialogues, and academic or practitioner forums.
- Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with think tanks, research institutions, and local knowledge actors.
Data & MEL Integration
- Collaborate closely with MEL teams to strengthen evidence frameworks, research alignment, and program learning loops.
Promote data-informed decision-making across country teams and consortium partners.
Capacity Building
- Develop and deliver training and mentoring on research design, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and knowledge utilization.
- Foster a research culture within the organization—building capacity for adaptive, evidence-based programming.
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate Search’s core competencies:
- Inspires and supports team development while resolving challenges within a clear strategic vision.
- Builds strong, collaborative relationships with partners and key stakeholders.
- Balances routine operations with continuous improvement and innovation.
- Adapts to changing contexts with creative, solution-oriented approaches.
- Promotes consistent standards across functions, fostering global collaboration and teamwork.
- Models ethical behavior, reduces ambiguity, and sets a high standard for conduct.
- Navigates complexity with transparent decision-making and adaptive leadership.
- Seeks creative, compliant solutions within complex, international frameworks.
- Coaches and mentors others, sharing knowledge to strengthen team capacity.
- Serves as a trusted expert, offering technical guidance and practical solutions.
- Leads collaborative problem-solving and innovation across the consortium.
- Engages teams in strategic discussions to support ongoing growth and development.
- Upholds and promotes safeguarding principles, demonstrating accountability and awareness in all actions.
Education and Experience
- BS/BA in International Development, Gender Studies, Social Work, Conflict Resolution, or related field; minimum 9 years of relevant experience.
- At least 7 years in international development, with 5+ years in a GESI advisory role—preferably in conflict, security, or peacebuilding in Syria.
- Strong background in GESI integration, including training, analysis, advocacy, and program design.
- Proven ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative research methods using ethical and participatory approaches.
- Demonstrated success in translating research into programming and policy influence.
- Experience working with donors, UN agencies, and regional/local research networks.
- Fluent in English and Arabic, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with tact, diplomacy, and cultural sensitivity.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.
Preferred Education and Experience
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience working on digital literacy, countering mis/disinformation, social media engagement, and protection from digital harm preferred.
- Prior working and living experience in Syria. Members of the Syrian diaspora are strongly encouraged to apply.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
- This position is based in Damascus, Syria, and is designated as an unaccompanied, non-family duty station. Given the volatile security environment, strict adherence to safety protocols is required. While on-the-ground operations are being finalized, the role will initially be remote, with regular in-country travel as security conditions allow and international travel up to 20%.
Supervisory and Budget Responsibility
- Manages one or more direct reports and/or consultants and/or manages one functional area.
How to apply
Posting closing date: 15 July 2025.
Submit cover letter and resume via the following link: Senior Research and Analysis Lead
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may be filled before the closing date. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Search is an equal employment employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law.