ABOUT TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

Transparency International is a global movement with one vision: a world in which government, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of corruption. With more than 100 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, we are leading the fight against corruption to turn this vision into reality.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S) is currently seeking a Research Coordinator to join the Research & Knowledge Team for a project focused on ‘building local civil society capacities to fight corruption in Iraq. The project is financed by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It aims to contribute to the multi-donor ‘Support to Governance and Sustainable Job creation in Iraq’ Action co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Federal Ministry for Development and Cooperation (BMZ) and implemented by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The project’s specific objective is to support governance and state-building initiatives by promoting greater transparency and accountability among Iraqi civil society, public state actors and private sector. By tackling corruption, this project contributes to Iraq’s key priorities to ensure sustained improvements in governance which can contribute to more sustainable development and economic growth.

The project will use a multi-stakeholder approach while engaging local civil society groups from the anti-corruption field, state actors and policy makers, as well as with the Iraqi private sector. It will take a comprehensive approach to strengthen multiple layers of society including the judicial, economic, political, and civil society levels and aim to support Iraq as a whole and not only focus on a specific region. As part of generating the evidence base for anti-corruption policy making and advocacy, the project will conduct Transparency International’s National Integrity System (NIS) assessment in Iraq. The NIS assess the strengths and weaknesses of key ‘pillars’ in a country’s governance system, combining evidence-based advocacy with a participatory multi-stakeholder approach. A full-time Research Coordinator is needed to lead and coordinate the implementation of NIS related research, with a focus on Iraq but with the possibility of working on other MENA countries as well. The researcher will also conduct and coordinate research in the region to inform regional Anti-Corruption efforts. Specifically, this will involve updating the NIS methodology, providing training and direct methodological support to the researchers and partner organisation in the country, providing quality and editorial support as well as producing research products and policy papers based on the findings. Beyond the NIS, the Research Coordinator will contribute to generate evidence and knowledge on corruption, governance and anti-corruption in the MENA region. Additional tasks include Developing policy papers on good governance and reform of legislations that enhance accountability, providing governmental institutions and partnerships with concrete policy recommendations and providing support in the development of stakeholder analysis.

OVERVIEW OF KEY DIMENSIONS

Role Purpose: The Research Coordinator will lead and coordinate the implementation of NIS related research as well as other research activities in the MENA region, including providing research support and guidance to TI national chapters and quality control of regional research outputs

Team: Research & Knowledge Team

Reporting Line: Head of Research & Knowledge

Salary Band: salary according to TI-S internal salary structure; for this position corresponding to band PF2 a salary starting EUR 40.000 gross per year depending on relevant experience

Starting Date: as soon as possible

Contract Duration: Currently we can offer an employment contract limited for a duration of 2 years.

Working Hours: full time [100%; 40 hours per week]

Location: Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S), Berlin/Germany

Job ID: TIS-RESCOR-MENA-012022

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES OF THE ROLE

Based in the Research & Knowledge Team and reporting to the Head of Research & Knowledge, the Research Coordinator will:

• Lead the development of knowledge materials, tools and research methodologies to meet the project objectives, including updating the NIS methodology, developing a tracking tool on key NIS recommendations, and providing editorial and quality support to partner organisations in the region
• Design and convene dedicated skills training on NIS methodology, as well as providing research support and guidance to researchers
• Coordinate the implementation on NIS in Iraq, ensuring sound NIS data collection and analysis and providing quality control and editorial support for the compilation of national reports
• Oversee the production of policy paper by partner organisations, produce and disseminate policy briefs and papers based on NIS findings
• Provide technical advice and guidance for chapters interested in conducting NIS beyond the MENA region and contribute to align the NIS approach to TI 2030 Strategy’s global advocacy goals
• Conduct and coordinate secondary desk research on a wide range of corruption-related topics in the region, including, to address the on-demand knowledge needs of the TI movement in a timely manner.
• Lead the development of knowledge materials and research products and coordinate the implementation of research activities aimed at addressing the knowledge gaps on corruption and anti-corruption in the MENA region
• Provide quality control of project outputs and oversee the development of relevant knowledge materials by chapters in the region
• Generate ideas, develop concept notes/proposals, and activities that are aligned with organisational priorities
• Contribute to day-to-day work implementation, including work planning, budget management, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring that all phases are consistent with the design and delivery schedule and internal processes and procedures
• Stay abreast of developments relating to the area of work and be available to respond to on-demand internal and external stakeholder needs
• Represent the organisation at relevant fora within area of expertise as needed; build relationships and form alliances with external counterparts, communities of practice and stakeholders
• Contribute to the overall functioning of the Research & Knowledge Team by providing proactive and ad hoc support where necessary

CANDIDATE PROFILE

In order to succeed in this role, candidates will need to meet the following:

• Masters or equivalent in a relevant field of the social sciences, such as political science, sociology, economics, public administration or a related field, with an academic emphasis on research
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in social research with a track record of developing tools and methodologies and producing operationally and policy relevant research
• Strong knowledge and experience in research design, development of tools and methodologies
• Recognized expertise in governance and anti-corruption required
• Substantive experience in research coordination in a multi-country/international setting
• Experience in providing training, technical assistance and quality control on applied research projects, preferably in a multi-country/comparative context, with excellent attention to detail
• Regional expertise and knowledge of political realities in Iraq as well as the wider region required
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and delivering to tight timelines
• Demonstrated organisational and project management skills with strong organisational skills and the ability to successfully manage priorities in a dynamic and fast paced environment
• Solid writing, editing and communication skills
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently, particularly at distance communication
• Professional language proficiency in written and spoken English,
• Fully fluent in Arabic (written, spoken) with high academic standards of writing research products in Arabic
• Experience in editing and cross comparing Arabic and English texts for in depth editing
• Proven commitment to social justice issues and the values of Transparency International
• Knowledge of the Kurdish language an asset
• Knowledge of Iraqi civil society an advantage
• Willingness and ability to travel to the MENA region (predominantly Iraq)

WHAT WE OFFER

Joining the Transparency International Secretariat candidates can expect:

• the opportunity to become part of the global movement against corruption and make a positive contribution to the work of TI in the field of transparency and accountability working on a wide range of relevant and challenging issues
• the opportunity to become part of the global movement against corruption and make a positive contribution to the work
• of TI in the field of transparency and accountability working on a wide range of relevant and challenging issues
• a role with purpose, working in a team of engaged and enthusiastic colleagues who are experts in the field of anti-corruption - driven by the desire to fight corruption
• a dynamic, flexible and international working environment with peers representing 45+ different nationalities
• a high degree of collaboration and autonomy in an organisation with a shared, facilitative and inclusive leadership culture with regular Ask Me Anything meetings with the CEO
• opportunities to learn and grow, including regular internal Show & Tell meetings as well as discussions with external experts and online webinars on a wide variety of topics

Staff at TI-S enjoy a competitive compensation & benefits package designed for staff well-being and work life balance, incl.:

• a relocation package incl. sponsorship of work permit if needed and financial contribution to German language classes
• 30 days of annual leave per year and flexible working times around core hours
• the possibility of Work from Abroad for periods of time (currently for up to 10 working days at a time for a maximum of 20 working days per calendar year), currently being piloted in an ongoing effort to increase virtualisation of work and foster highly collaborative remote work using MS Teams throughout the organisation
• organisational access to the employee assistance programme PME offering support in various areas incl. well-being
• Sodexo Restaurant Checks with plenty of options nearby the office for reduced prices for meals
• organisational membership fees with Urban Sports Club
• regular staff social events
• a centrally located office in a vibrant metropolitan city with excellent public transportation connectivity at the river Spree

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and cover letter in English, merged into one PDF file, via our TI website Career Opportunities - Transparency.org clicking on the vacant position and the button ‘Apply Online’.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 23. March 2022.
Only applications duly completed and received through the online recruitment system will be considered.

The Transparency International Secretariat is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and where there is equality of opportunity. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and therefore welcome applications from qualified candidates of all regions, countries, cultures and backgrounds. Existing permission to work in Germany is not a selection criterion and TI-S supports successful candidates in the process for applying for a work permit, if needed.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis and we do not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, colour or ethnic background, religious belief, sex, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation, marital or family status, age or ability. We kindly ask applicants to refrain from including in their application information relating to the above as well as from attaching photos.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that Transparency International does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment and selection process (whether at application, processing, testing, interviewing, traveling or otherwise). In addition, TI does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To learn more about Transparency International please visit our website and follow us on social media:

Website: https://www.transparency.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anticorruption

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transparency-international/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transparency_international/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransparencyInternational

Apply at: https://transparency.softgarden.io/applications/e436e553-ec3d-4ad4-86e1-78436753cb38?1&isEditMode=false&isNew=true&l=en