Landmine Monitor Report 2006: Call for Research Specialists

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 Research Specialists to contribute to Landmine Monitor Report 2006: Toward a Mine-Free World. Members of the Landmine Monitor network 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 proposals from past and current contributors to Landmine Monitor 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.

In-country researchers collect data on mine ban policy, mine action and survivor assistance and submit completed questionnaires with data to Landmine Monitor.

Research Specialists are responsible for:

• Planning how the research for LM2006 will be best conducted in countries for which they are responsible.
• Briefing researchers and other informants on the research to be carried out, in relation to last year's report(s), emerging issues, and the LM Questionnaires; the planning and briefing process will be in collaboration with thematic coordinators;
• Taking data collected by researchers and writing clear, concise, comprehensive country reports;
• Undertaking supplemental Internet and field research as necessary;
• Monitoring and reporting on national and regional media coverage of the landmine issue;
• Collecting information on the area of research from key mine-related fora;
• Coordinating communications with researchers and Thematic Research Coordinators;
• Responding promptly to requests for information and clarifications from Thematic Research Coordinators.

Researchers will gather information and incorporate the results of this work into the questionnaire templates from December 2005 to 17 March 2006. During this period Research Specialists will support and complement the work of researchers. From March to May 2006, Research Specialists will write country reports and edit them in coordination with Thematic Research Coordinators. From June to July 2006 Research Specialists will be available to respond to outstanding questions and requests for updated information from Thematic Research Coordinators and the Final Editing Team.

Research Specialists must be available to work full-time from December 2005 to August 2006.

Requirements

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

• Availability to work full-time from December 2005 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;
• Strong knowledge of research methodologies;
• Demonstrated success in meeting deadlines;
• Strong interpersonal, leadership and coordination skills;
• Ability to work as part of a global research team;
• Daily access to the Internet and email;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the landmine issue or other disarmament issues is desirable.

Areas of Research

Preferred applicants will be able to cover two o r more of the following regional and/or thematic areas from this list. Indicate your experience and knowledge of two of these areas in your application.

• Anglophone Africa
• Francophone Africa
• Lusophone Africa
• Americas
• South Asia
• Southeast Asia
• Europe
• Commonwealth of Independent States
• Middle East/ North Africa
• Development/ mainstreaming
• Funding

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 and 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

• Name
• Mailing Address
• Tel. (home, work, mobile)
• Fax
• Email

II. Research Proposal

• Areas of research (select two).
• Detailed narrative describing when and how the coordination, research and writing will be undertaken. Indicate how you plan to update the previous Landmine Monitor report.
• indicate your areas expertise, specialized knowledge or language skills.
• Please list your level of interested 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
  • Include copies of reports you have researched and written.

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. Outline your experience working as part of a team, your proven leadership skills and experience coordinating groups of researchers located in different offices around the world. Ensure to include 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 region/ theme.

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

• Estimate how much financial support is required to conduct the research, based in full-time for nine months.
• Provide a budget describing costs such as data collection and analysis, communications and coordination, writing, travel (not including to Landmine Monitor meetings) and your time.
• Name the person who will accept responsibility for reporting to the Landmine Monitor Project Manager on expenditure of the grant.