Landmine Monitor Report 2006: Call for Researchers

Deadline for applications is Monday 14 November 2005.

Landmine Monitor is an unprecedented initiative of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the global coalition of non-governmental organizations working since 1992 to eliminate antipersonnel landmines. The ICBL was awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. The ICBL established the Landmine Monitor project in 1998 to monitor the implementation of and compliance with the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and more generally to assess the international community's response to the humanitarian crisis caused by landmines.

Landmine Monitor marks the first time in history that non-governmental organizations have come together in a coordinated, systematic and sustained way to monitor a humanitarian law or disarmament treaty, and to regularly document progress and problems. The Landmine Monitor research network produces an Annual Report and its Executive Summary, CD-ROM, Fact Sheets and other research products. On 23 November 2005, the ICBL will launch the seventh Annual Report, Landmine Monitor Report 2005: Toward a Mine-Free World.

The ICBL is seeking researchers to contribute to Landmine Monitor Report 2006: Toward a Mine-Free World. Landmine Monitor's researchers come from a variety of professions include lawyers, doctors, humanitarian aid workers, human rights activists, landmine survivors, mine action practitioners, graduate students and anti-landmine campaigners and they are all non-governmental (meaning not employed by a government).

Landmine Monitor is seeking research proposals from past contributors and Landmine Monitor Report 2005 researchers as well as qualified and experienced researchers new to the initiative.

Research Process

Landmine Monitor reports on over 100 countries, including mine-affected countries, producers, users and those remaining outside the Mine Ban Treaty. We report on landmine ban policy, mine action and survivor assistance. Researchers are encouraged to submit proposals covering one or more thematic areas for a country, portion of a country or a region. Under the guidance of Thematic Research Coordinators and Research Specialists, all researchers are expected to:

• Be available to conduct research from December 2005 to March 2006 and to respond to requests for additional information from April to July 2006;
• Identify and interview key information sources in government, international organizations, NGOs, landmine survivors, media and others;
• Monitor and report on national and regional media coverage of the landmine issue;
• Collect information on the area of research from key mine-related fora;
• Research information in the public domain about landmines;
• Conduct field research as necessary;
• Complete research questionnaires thoroughly, concisely and clearly within the specified time period;
• Respond promptly to requests for information and clarifications from Research Specialists, Thematic Research Coordinators and the Final Editing Team.

Researchers will be provided with research guidelines and questionnaires and are expected to conduct research interviews and gather information and incorporate the results of this work into the questionnaire templates. Questionnaires must be submitted by 17 March 2006. Research Specialists and Thematic Research Coordinators will work with researchers from March to June to clarify information, write reports and conduct additional research as needed. Researchers must be available to respond to outstanding questions and requests for updated information through July 2006.

Requirements

We are looking for researchers who best meet the needs of the research network and have:

• Availability to conduct research from December 2005 to March 2006 and to be available to respond to requests for additional information from April to July 2006;
• Ability to participate in a Global Research Meeting in February 2006;
• Experience conducting research on peace and conflict, development or other humanitarian issues;
• Ability to contact and interview key actors including government officials, NGOs, international organizations and landmine survivors;
• Proven experience conducting field research;
• Ability to write clearly and concisely in English or the capacity to translate research materials into English;
• Strong knowledge of research methodologies;
• Demonstrated success in meeting deadlines;
• Regular (at least once per week) access to the Internet and email;
• Ability to work as part of a global research team;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the landmine issue or other disarmament issues is desirable.

Application Process

• If you have the time available to commit to this dynamic initiative and meet the stated requirements we invite you to submit a proposal.
• Please go to www.icbl.org/lm to view previous Landmine Monitor reports. We are looking for annual updates that match the style and nature of previous reports.
• Please complete the application form.
• Submit the completed application form to lm2006@icbl.org no later than Monday, 14 November 2005. Applications must be submitted by email - faxed and mailed applications will not be accepted.
• Decisions will be communicated to applicants by mid-December 2005.
• Please direct questions about this call for proposals to lm@icbl.org.

Application Form

I. Contact Details

• Organization Name
• Primary Researcher's Name
• Mailing Address
• Tel. (home, work, mobile)
• Fax
• Email
• Secondary Researcher's Name
• Email
  

II. Research Proposal

• Name of country/ countries/ area of research.
• Indicate who you will interview and when interviews will be conducted and, if necessary, when field research will be undertaken.
• Please list your level of interest and knowledge (1= very, 4=least) in the following topics. Please indicate if you are NOT able to provide the necessary research for any of these areas:
  • Ban Policy, Production, Trade, Use, Stockpiling
  • Mine Problem, Mine Clearance, Survey and Marking, Mine Risk Education
  • Landmine Casualties and Survivor Assistance

III. Ability to Conduct Research

• Enclose a copy of your CV.
• Include a cover letter that provides an overview of your research experience, including examples of how you have conducted interviews, conducted field and Internet research, research methodologies employed and specialized research abilities. Ensure to indicate your time availability, examples of how you have met deadlines in the past, and outline your Internet and email access and computer skills. Let us know why you are the most qualified person to research this country/ area.
• Enclose copies of reports you have researched and written.
• If you are not comfortable writing in English, indicate how you will ensure that your research material is submitted in English and if necessary add a request for translation funds in your budget.

IV. Organizational Details (if applicable)

• Founding date, structure and participating organizations.
• Main goals and activities.
• Work on landmines and relationship to the ICBL.
• Ability, availability and expertise to conduct the research.
• Computer availability and Internet access.

V. Budget

Do you require a Funding Grant to conduct your research? Landmine Monitor Funding Grants are paid in two installments - the first installment is provided upon receipt of completed research questionnaires and the second installment is distributed when Landmine Monitor Report 2006 goes to print in August 2006. If you require funding please:

• Estimate how much financial support is required to conduct the research. Grants range from US$250 for one country to US$5000 for a large group of countries.
• Provide a budget describing costs such as data collection, analysis, writing, travel (not including to Landmine Monitor meetings) and researcher's time. Where applicable, the budget should cover translating, including of your final research materials, which must be submitted in English.
• Name the person who will accept responsibility for reporting to the Landmine Monitor Project Manager on expenditure of the grant.