Result of Service

OBJECTIVES: The main objective is to produce a conflict analysis for Georgia to assess the multidimensional consequences of unresolved conflict on peace and security, social cohesion, internal political and governance dynamics, human rights, humanitarian needs, as well as socioeconomic and environmental conditions in the country, including in Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region, as well as the consequences for those forcibly displaced. Under the guidance of the RC and overall supervision of the RCO Economist, the consultant (or team of consultants) will be responsible for conducting research and drafting a report (tentatively 15-20 pages) that will be used internally by the UN in Georgia and contribute to other analytical processes. The report will not become a public document. The research should primarily be based on a literary review and interviews with selected UN personnel. Field research is not envisaged as part of the present assignment, but the resulting report can recommend areas for further research to address identified knowledge gaps. While the research and report should be prepared in line with the highest standards for academic research and reflect the researcher’s independent analysis and conclusions, it should consider the six Guiding Principles referenced above. In particular, special attention should be given to how the lack of conflict resolution undermines the possibility of fulfilling the Guiding Principles, and how this can be expected to impact the situation in the time frame 2026-2030 and beyond. While the analysis can cover a brief overview of key stakeholders and the different layers of the conflict (local, national, regional, narrative and normative), the main focus should be forward-looking rather than descriptive.

Work Location

Tbilisi, Georgia

Expected duration

2 months

Duties and Responsibilities

This position is located in the Resident Coordinator Office in Georgia – consultant will be reporting to the program manager. • Submission of a synopsis/inception report by mid-September outlining the scope of the research and relevant research questions based on the objectives outlined above, for RCO endorsement. • Submission by 31 October of a report (tentatively 15-20 pages excl. references and annexes) with a forward-looking conflict analysis on Georgia in line with the endorsed inception report. • The report should include conclusions about the impact on the realization of the rights of conflict-affected persons and communities resulting from the lack of conflict resolution, with a focus on the most vulnerable. • Organization, in collaboration with RCO, of interviews with UN personnel to collect insights from those with direct experience of working with relevant programming in Georgia, including in Abkhazia. • Participation in a webinar hosted by the RCO to present and discuss the main research findings. ACTIVITY TIMEFRAME: • Report development will take place over two months in September and October 2024. • Submission of the final report by 31 October 2024. • Participation in webinar with UN Georgia to present key findings in November or December 2024.

Qualifications/special skills

• A PhD degree or equivalent from an accredited educational institution in international relations, international development, social sciences, or a related discipline, or a master’s degree combined with relevant peer-reviewed academic publications directly related to the research topic is required. • At least 4 years of work experience in relevant academic research (peace and conflict studies, international relations, sociology, etc.) is required. • Track record of English-language peer-reviewed publications is desirable. • Experience of recent field research in Georgia, including in Abkhazia will be considered a strong advantage. COMPETENCIES: Knowledge and technical expertise • Excellent knowledge of conflict history and recent political developments in Georgia. • Excellent understanding of conflict sensitivity and the do-no-harm approach. • Proven track record of thematically and geographically relevant academic research and peer-reviewed publications. Core competencies: • Excellent analytical and organizational skills. • Proven report writing and editorial skills, including research, writing, substantive editing, copy-editing, and proofreading • Ability to work independently in facilitating participatory corporate processes • Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks effectively • Strong interpersonal skills in facilitating participatory corporate processes involving senior officials

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. • Working knowledge of Georgian, Abkhaz, Megrelian or Russian is an advantage.

Additional Information

PAYMENT MODALITY: The consultant’s fees shall be paid at the end of the assignment period upon submission of the written report and completion of mandatory training. MODALITIES AND DOCUMENTATION: This consultancy will be awarded as an individual contract. Teams of researchers are also encouraged to apply, but each participant must submit an individual application, indicating the proposed collaborator in the cover letter. As part of their application in Inspira, interested individual applications must submit a Technical Proposal including the following documents and information to demonstrate their qualifications and interest in this role: • A financial proposal: a lump-sum fee proposal in US dollars calculated as a daily rate times the number days estimated to complete the task. Please specify the number of days needed to finish the task and the rate per day in proposal. • A cover letter, including past experience in similar projects and a brief description of why the applicant considers themselves suitable for the assignment. • For joint applications of teams of researchers, each applicant must submit an individual proposal and indicate the intention to work jointly in the cover letter. The United Nations has several learning programmes that are mandatory for all staff and non-staff to ensure familiarity with key regulations, rules, and processes. List of necessary trainings will be communicated to selected candidate. As a part of preparation for the assignment consultant would need to complete self-paced, two-hour online training offered by the UN System Staff College “Foundational Course on UNSDCF Guiding Principles: HRBA, GEWE & LNOB” by mid-September.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.