Job Description:

WPS Researcher

Number Of positions: 1

Duration: 6 Months with possible extension

Location:  Duhok Governorate

Publishing Date: 27th May 2025

Deadline of submission: 1st Jun 2025

 

The Lotus Flower is a non-governmental organisation which is legally registered in the Federal Government of Baghdad and KRI. The Lotus Flower programs empower vulnerable women, girls and other community members  so that they are safe, have opportunities to learn, the tools to become financially independent and the freedom to lead change. We provide safe social spaces inside refugee & IDP camps and implement projects to help them rebuild their lives and earn a living. We run multiple women’s and children centers for the IDP, refugee and host community in Iraq and have mobile teams in areas where static centers are not feasible.

The Lotus Flower services work to fill resource gaps by providing community-responsive programming which changes over time in response to feedback but revolves around 6 pillars from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals:

·         Health & Safety (including MHPSS)

·         Education and Livelihoods

·         Peacebuilding & Human Rights

·         Climate Change

We aim to provide a foundation for women, girls, and other needed community members  to rebuild themselves, their families, and their futures. As local implementers, we work at the grassroots level to get right into the heart of communities, listening to local needs and employing local communities to implement the programs. 

Our main fundamental belief is that women and girls are powerful drivers of change, and we provide the support they need to reach their full potential and rebuild their futures. We strive for a world where they are safe from violence, free to access education, and are empowered to participate in their communities to drive social and economic change from within. We are investing in the future of women and girls because they play a vital role in resurrecting and strengthening communities. As local implementers, we work at the grassroots level to get right into the heart of communities. To ensure we meet their needs, we listen to the local community and employ local women to implement the programs.

The Lotus Flower has been widely recognized for its impactful and innovative work in advancing women's rights, economic empowerment, and justice for survivors. In 2021, the organization was honored with the CARE International Partnership Award, a prestigious recognition granted every four years to celebrate the professionalism and commitment of CARE’s global partners. Further affirming its dedication to women’s economic independence, The Lotus Flower received the IValues Award from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation under the “Economy and Jobs” category for the success and significance of its Women’s Business Incubation project. The organization also gained international acclaim through the PILnet Global Partnership Award for its groundbreaking initiative “Accountability for Yazidi Survivors of Atrocities by Da’esh,” which was recognized as one of the best cross-sectoral pro bono legal collaborations worldwide. Additionally, The Lotus Flower was a proud recipient of the UNHCR Innovation Award in 2022, further highlighting its commitment to delivering creative, impactful solutions for vulnerable communities.

Overview

The Lotus Flower is seeking a qualified and experienced Researcher to conduct a comprehensive research process under the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) project.

This position requires the selected candidate to independently carry out the full cycle of academic and applied research—from conceptualization to publication.

Working closely with the WPS Project Manager and under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Researcher will be responsible for identifying relevant research gaps, selecting the research topic, designing the methodology, adapting or developing research tools, and obtaining ethical approvals. The candidate will lead the data collection process, conduct rigorous data analysis, and produce all required writing in English, including literature reviews, findings interpretation, and the final paper.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Identify research gaps and define the significance and rationale of the research topic.

  • Develop the research outline and select the research title in coordination with the WPS project manager and the donor.

  • Design the research methodology, choosing between qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches as appropriate.

  • Identify, adapt, translate, or develop the tools and questionnaires needed for the research.

  • Prepare and submit documentation required to obtain ethical approvals for the research.

  • Identify data collection methods and the resources needed to ensure rigorous data gathering.

  • Lead and conduct the data collection process, with minimal delegation when necessary.

  • Organize, clean, and verify data, ensuring integrity, accuracy, and consistency throughout the research process.

  • Analyze data using appropriate qualitative or statistical techniques, depending on the selected methodology.

  • Conduct comprehensive background research and literature reviews relevant to the research topic.

  • Write the full research paper in English, including the introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

  • Interpret findings and situate them within the existing body of literature.

  • Lead the submission process for academic publication, including communication with editors, responding to peer review, and addressing any revision requirements.

  • Disseminate research findings to stakeholders, including donors, implementing partners, and other relevant actors.

  • Prepare and deliver presentations of the research findings as required by the donor or the organization.

  • Perform other tasks related to the research process as assigned by the direct supervisor.

 

Required Qualifications:

·         Previous knowledge, experience and understanding about women’s rights in general and women, Peace and Security 1325 in particular . Previous experiences in conducting research that align with those areas are highly encouraged to apply.

·         Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Data Science, Economics, or a related field.

·         Proficiency in data analysis tools and familiarity with statistical software and qualitative research tools.

·         Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

·         Excellent administrative skills.

·         Ability to work under pressure.

·         Excellent time management skills.

·         Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.

·         Excellent communication skills (written and spoken)

·         Proven ability to represent the organization in dealings with external clients

·         Strong team-working skills.

·         Fluent in local languages and in written and spoken Arabic and English mandatory

·         Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

 How to apply:

  • Please send your updated CV and cover letter to careers@thelotusflower.org  while Mentioning “ WPS -researcher “as the subject of your email.

  • CVs that do not include the subject line will not be considered.

  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

  • Applications past the expiration date of the advertisement will not be considered.