Lead Consultant – Uganda Refugee Resilience Initiative (URRI) Conflict Analysis Full Time NEW

Company Profile

SoCha LLC is an independent Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) firm specializing in research, analysis, and evidence-based decision-making for international development programs. We provide tailored solutions for donors, including USAID, UN agencies, and other international organizations.

For this assignment, SoCha LLC is preparing a proposal to support the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in conducting a conflict analysis under the Uganda Refugee Resilience Initiative (URRI). This study seeks to understand conflict dynamics in Northwestern Uganda (West Nile region), focusing on refugee-host community relations, security concerns, and conflict resolution strategies. This position and the assignment are contingent on SoCha being awarded the contract for the study by DRC.

Background

The URRI Conflict Analysis requires a senior-level conflict analysis expert to lead the study’s research design, data collection oversight, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and final reporting. The Lead Consultant will be responsible for ensuring the study adheres to high-quality qualitative research methodologies and aligns with DANIDA and DRC’s conflict analysis frameworks.

The consultant will work closely with the Senior Researcher / Co-Lead, Field Coordinator, and SoCha HQ Team to ensure the study delivers actionable insights for conflict-sensitive programming in Uganda’s refugee-host community settings.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Lead Consultant will oversee the conflict analysis research and deliver high-quality outputs through the following tasks:

Research Design & Methodology

1. Lead the design of the conflict analysis methodology, ensuring alignment with DANIDA and DRC research expectations.
2. Co-design key research instruments (interview guides, FGD protocols, analytical frameworks).
3. Ensure the conflict analysis integrates qualitative research best practices, including KIIs, FGDs, power mapping, and scenario analysis.

Field Research Oversight & Stakeholder Engagement

1. Provide technical guidance to the research team, including field coordinators, data collectors, and interpreters.
2. Ensure ethical, conflict-sensitive, and culturally appropriate data collection.
3. Engage with government officials, international organizations, NGOs, refugee leaders, and local authorities to ensure broad stakeholder input.
4. Troubleshoot challenges in field data collection and ensure research validity and reliability.

Data Analysis & Reporting

1. Work closely with the Senior Researcher / Co-Lead to synthesize findings and develop high-quality reports.
2. Ensure qualitative data coding, analysis, and triangulation are robust and defensible.
3. Co-author the Draft and Final Conflict Analysis Report, integrating field findings, literature, and stakeholder feedback.

Workshop Design & Facilitation

1. Design and facilitate a conflict analysis validation workshop to present findings to stakeholders.
2. Engage with DRC and DANIDA representatives to finalize the study’s recommendations.

Required Qualifications and Experience

1. Master’s or PhD in Conflict Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, or a related field.
2. Minimum 5+ years of experience conducting and leading conflict analysis research.
3. Expertise in qualitative research methods, including KIIs, FGDs, conflict mapping, power analysis, and scenario planning.
4. Familiarity with DANIDA, DRC, or similar donor conflict analysis methodologies.
5. Proven track record of leading research teams and managing field data collection.
6. Experience working in Uganda’s refugee-host community settings, particularly West Nile.
7. Strong analytical writing skills with a demonstrated ability to produce high-quality conflict analysis reports.
8. Experience in facilitating workshops and stakeholder engagement events.
9. Ability to work independently while coordinating with remote HQ teams.

Deliverables

1. Inception Report: Research design, methodology, and fieldwork plan.
2. Data Collection Oversight: Supervision of KIIs, FGDs, and field engagement.
3. Preliminary Findings Presentation: Early insights for discussion with stakeholders.
4. Draft Conflict Analysis Report: Initial synthesis of findings and recommendations.
5. Final Conflict Analysis Report: Comprehensive analysis integrating field data, stakeholder feedback, and actionable insights.
6. Conflict Analysis Workshop & Action Plan: Workshop facilitation and final validation of findings.

Duration

1. 14-week assignment period.
2. Requires travel to West Nile for fieldwork.

Location

Uganda (with travel to West Nile)

Tagged as: SoCha LLC, Uganda