[Hiring] Consultant – Evidence Synthesis: Capacity Strengthening and Learning as Strategic Investment @International Rescue Committee

Role Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

This consultancy will generate the foundational evidence synthesis needed to reframe workforce capacity as core humanitarian infrastructure rather than discretionary overhead, and document practical and innovative solutions to meet learning and development (L&D) demands with reduced resources.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s or above) in social sciences, international development, child protection, public health, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in research, evidence synthesis, or program evaluation in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Demonstrated experience conducting literature reviews and evidence syntheses on social protection, child protection, or related topics.
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian child protection sector, including familiarity with the Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS) and the humanitarian coordination architecture.
• Proven ability to produce clear, well-written, advocacy-oriented knowledge products for non-specialist audiences (donors, senior leadership).
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Requirements

• Experience working with or knowledge of the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.
• Familiarity with workforce development, capacity strengthening, and learning and development approaches in humanitarian settings.
• Experience with evidence mapping or systematic review methodologies.
• Working knowledge of French or Arabic.

Deliverables

• Inception Note: Proposed search strategy, databases and sources to be consulted, inclusion and exclusion criteria, analytical framework and workplan. (Month 1)
• Evidence Synthesis draft: Structured review and synthesis of published and grey literature linking workforce capacity to CP outcomes in the form of a draft report. (Month 3)
• Discussion of identified case studies: Presentation of case studies informed by data collection to Alliance Secretariat, AME and L&D Working Groups for validation and discussion. (Month 4)
• Final clean version of evidence brief + case studies: Final write up of Evidence Brief inclusive of case studies. (Month 5)
• Presentation of all results: Present findings at online webinar organized by the Alliance. (Month 5)

Payment Rate and Schedule

The total consultancy fee is USD 10,500.00. Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables as agreed with consultant during contracting.

Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report directly to the IRC Senior Researcher, who serves as Co-Chair of the Alliance’ AME Working Group. Regular check-ins will be held on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, as agreed during inception.

Application Process

• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining relevant experience and proposed approach to the assignment.
• A current CV highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
• One sample of previous evidence synthesis or advocacy-oriented knowledge products.
• Contact details of two professional references.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Ethical Considerations

The consultant is expected to adhere to the IRC’s research ethics policies and the Alliance’s ethical guidelines. The consultant must ensure the accurate and responsible use of all published and grey literature, proper attribution of sources, and the safe handling and storage of any internal documentation shared by Alliance member organizations.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.