Somalia: High-quality research support (hqrs) programme

High-quality Research Support (HQRS) Programme

This two-year High-quality Research Support (HQRS) Programme) is the first research training programme of its kind in the Somali regions. It is co-implemented by the Observatory of Conflict and Violence Prevention (OCVP), the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and Transparency Solutions (TS). The Programme is conceived as a Traineeship and is designed for mid-career researchers from and living in Somalia/Somaliland who are eager to enhance their research skills and competencies, and become the country’s next generation of researchers and research leaders. It equips participants with the highest theoretical and practical research knowledge and skills necessary to undertake high-quality social research activities, independently, in collaboration with local organisations and as emerging research leaders.

The Programme is rooted in an understanding of the fundamental role high-quality research plays in enabling communities and wider society to critically analyse their social problems, attain a deeper understanding of social realities, and hopefully achieve positive social transformation. Aware of the potential challenges local institutions and organisations (governmental and non-governmental) may currently face, the implementing partners have developed this Programme to strengthen their capacity to effectively design, implement and report research on different social issues.

In its second year 2016-2017, the Programme aims to recruit 30 mid-career researchers and expose them to an eleven-month training programme divided into 3 phases (training phase, internship phase and mentorship phase culminating in publication of the research results) delivered and supervised at all stages by skilled experts.

The OCVP, University of Bristol and TS, together with their other partners and funding agencies, would like to invite qualified individuals who met the below programme requirements to apply.

Sincerely,

Abdullahi Odowa Latif Ismail Eric Herring

General-Director Chief Executive Professor

OCVP Transparency Solutions University of Bristol
Programme Objectives

The goal of the High-quality Research Support programme is to contribute to an improvement of the research performance of local institutions in the Somali regions in their efforts to conduct high-quality and credible social research. The Programme is based on the expectation that the participants, on their return to their institutions, will energetically and creatively use the knowledge and skills they have acquired during the training programme to build the research capacity of their respected organizations and institutions.

In order to achieve this goal, the second year of the programme (2016/2017) aims to accomplish the following objectives at the level of individual participants:

· Train 30 mid-career researchers and give them the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully conduct and lead high-quality research;

· Develop and enhance the level of practical knowledge, skills and tools employed in the conduct of social research activities;

· Develop and enhance the capabilities and competence of local researchers to analyse local social issues and be able to generate fact-based policy options for local and international stakeholders;

· Increase the number of qualified local researchers who can be recruited by local and international agencies and organizations working in the country.

Contents

The Research Training Programme focuses on both theoretical and practical knowledge regarding social research and academic writing. Special emphasis is placed on six particular areas which required in many cases to enhance the quality of local research: research writing and citation, qualitative and quantitative methods, research design and ethics, gender and social research, research for policy and practice, , and policy and programme evaluation research.

The programme has a total duration of 11 months and consists of three compulsory phases after the three day induction:

Training Phase (6 blocks x 5 days during 5 months): Over a period of five months (September- January )this initial phase will provide participants with intensive training developed and delivered by highly qualified teaching staff from the University of Bristol. This phase of the training will introduce participants to the variety of research concepts, techniques and methods applicable to the field of social research. The following units will be covered during training phase:

· Research Writing and Citation

· Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

· Research Design and Ethics

· Gender and Social Research

· Evidence for Policy and Practice

· Policy and Programme Evaluation Research

Each unit delivered will be accompanied with field visit to some relevant institutions and guest lecturers who will be sharing their personal and institutional specialised experiences with the programme participants. During this phase, each trainee will be asked a research topic that he/she will be working for the remaining phases of the programme and start its data collection during the Mentorship Phase of the programme and finally publish a research note.

Internship Phase (3 blocks x 4 days during 3 months): During the following three months participants will be split into 4 groups for an internship at one of the OCVP offices in Hargeisa, Garowe and Mogadishu or at the Hargeisa office of its implementing partner Transparency Solutions. During this phase of the programme, participants will be given the opportunity to travel to the field and be part of the processes of data collection, data analysis and report writing.

Mentorship Phase (Part-time continuously for 3 months): During the final three months of the Programme each participant is expected to further develop the research topic he/she has been working during the last phases and finally published a research note via the OCVP. Participants will be supported fully in this process and each participant will be assigned a mentor from the University of Bristol will provide assistance and feedback during the writing-up phase. Where possible, the mentor will be one of the University of Bristol staff who delivered the research training. Each mentor will mentor five participants and be available by phone, Skype and email. Participants will also have the support of a University of Bristol Chief Editor for the publication to be based on their research.

Participants who successfully complete each of the four phases of the programme will be awarded a Certificate of Participation from the University of Bristol. Participants will have a final graduation ceremony and research findings dissemination workshop.

Dates and Places

Induction: Participants selected will be provided with a three day induction at the OCVP Hargeisa office, Somaliland: the most likely dates are 13-15 September 2016. Confirmed dates will be announced shortly.

Training Phase: The OCVP Hargeisa office, Somaliland, 19 September 2016 to 20 January 2017. The six research training units will each last five days. The draft schedule will be as follows (finalised dates will be announced shortly):

· 19-23 September 2016: Research Writing and Citation

· 26-30 September 2016 (to be confirmed – may change) : Research Design and Ethics

· 31 October- 4 November 2016: Evidence for Policy and Practice

· 7-11 November 2016: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

· 9-13 January 2017: Gender and Social Sciences

· 16-20 January 2017: Policy and Programme Evaluation Research

Internship Phase: in either of the OCVP country offices (Hargeisa, Garowe and Mogadishu) or in the Transparency Solutions office (Hargeisa), 1^st February to 30 April 2017. The internships will be divided into three blocks each lasting 4 days and will be scheduled at the most convenient times with the three months.

Mentorship Phase: Participants’ home institutions/organizations, 1^st May to July 2017. Part-time continuously plus three days for the graduation ceremony and research findings dissemination workshop: dates to be announced.

Management and Staff

The Programme is designed and implemented by OCVP in close partnership with the University of Bristol and Transparency Solutions.

Target Group

This project specifically targets mid-career professionals who have completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher, hold considerable basic knowledge in the field of social research and professional in English language, and are also passionate about becoming future leading researchers in the country. Special priority will therefore be given to individuals currently working in governmental ministries, academic institutions, civil society organizations, human rights organizations, and women’s advocacy groups. In particular, women are strongly encouraged to apply as the Programme aims at equal gender representation.

Selection requirements

· Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification (or equivalent)

· Employed by government agencies, academic institutions, local NGOs, Human Rights and Women’s Advocacy organisations

· High proficiency in English

· Basic computer skills and use of emails

· Basic knowledge and experience in the field of social research

· Commitment to contribute to the improvement of research capacity and performance of local state and non-state agencies and organizations

· Passionate to pursue a career in social research

Application Procedure

If you feel you meet the selection criteria of this programme, please send your application package consisting of the following documents:

· Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)

· Copy of your Passport/ National ID card

· Motivation letter

· Copies of academic certificates

· A nomination letter signed by your employer

· A recent photograph

The completed application package with a subject heading ‘’HQRS-Cohort two’’ should have been received by hr@ocvp.orgno later than 10^th August 2016

Selection Process

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for face-to-face interview, and the selected candidates will be notified by email and by phone not later than three weeks after the application deadline. Selected candidates will be asked to sign a Letter of Commitment confirming their willingness to participate in all phases of the Programme.

Certificate

Those who successfully complete all phases of the Programme will be awarded a Certificate of Participation by the University of Bristol.

Closing date for application

10^th August 2016