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CRS Peacebuilding

  • Reports to: Principle Investigators& Country Director, Philippines
  • Position type: Fellowship
  • Location: Davao, Philippines
  • Deadline to apply: July 15, 2013
  • Desired start date and commitment: As soon as possible; 3 – 4 months
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is an international non-profit research organization. Based in New Haven, CT, with offices in Washington, D.C. and worldwide, IPA works with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches to solving development problems, to communicate “what works” in development and to scale up successful projects in a variety of fields, including health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture.
Position Summary:
Violence flared in Mindanao in the early 1970s and has claimed the lives of an estimated 120,000 people, displaced two million more, and resulted in widespread vulnerability and poverty.   Presently, the conflict tends to be localized, arising primarily from family- or clan-based violence or land issues.  However, once sparked it can quickly spread and escalate across ethnic and religious lines. 
We will evaluate the effects of a community-based peace-building program on conflict-resolution outcomes and violence incidents at the community level. The evaluation will also compare the individual and combined effectiveness of different approaches to peace-building prescribed by the program and, in particular, between information campaigns, community-based interventions, and leader-targeted interventions.  This information will be used to provide our partner with evidence on the most efficient and effective combination of interventions.
With the October 7, 2012 breakthrough in the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and one of the largest and most active rebel groups, peace in Mindanao has moved one step closer to reality.  The proposed evaluation will provide critical evidence to inform the next step: building and sustaining local peace and security across Mindanao.
Responsibilities:
The fellow will work closely with researchers on the design of an evaluation of a peacebuilding and governance program run by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Mindanao.   The fellow will be based at the CRS office in Mindanao and will be responsible for exploratory research to inform the design of an RCT of the peacebuilding program.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Leading fieldwork activities:  visit program sites to develop in-depth understanding of program implementation
  • Work with CRS to identify key areas of interest and opportunities for evaluation and scale-up
  • Work with researchers to write a full evaluation design
  • Work with researchers, IPA and CRS to develop the full proposal
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
IPA Philippines seeks a second year or higher Ph.D. student interested in governance to be part of an exciting peacebuilding program.  Should this exploratory research and proposal yield funding for an evaluation, and pending satisfactory performance during the internship, we anticipate inviting the fellow to join the project as a full-fledged Principal Investigator.  This is an ideal opportunity for a doctoral student in political science or economics to gain first-hand experience in conducting governance-related field experiments under the guidance of experienced researchers from the World Bank and the University of New South Wales.  Desired qualifications and experience include:
  • In-depth understanding of literature on post-conflict development, peacebuilding, community driven development and social capital
  • Experience conducting social science or economic field research in developing countries a plus
  • Experience with research design and survey design a plus
  • Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies required
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and complete fluency in English is required
  • Strong quantitative skills and familiarity with randomized controlled trials
  • Ability to work independently
This fellowship will be supported by a modest per diem and will cover the cost of roundtrip airfare to the Philippines.
How to Apply
Please follow the application instructions below.  Any applications or CVs submitted outside this process will not be considered.  Note, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
1) Send a CV and a cover letter to mmiller@poverty-action.org and cc jobs-interns@poverty-action.org.
  • In the subject line: Copy exactly the following position line: 100925IPAPhilippines,PeaceBuilding Evaluation.
  • Attachments: Please attach your CV, cover letter and summary of relevant graduate-level coursework.
  • In the email body: Put your full name, first (given) name followed by last (family) name.
For further information, please contact Mark Miller, Deputy Country Director, (mmiller@poverty-action.org) using the subject line given above.
IPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer
All persons shall have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
IPA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs@poverty-action.org.
DISCLAIMER:The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the Fellowship.  The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-info@poverty-action.org.