Job Title: Research and Analysis Advisor

Location: Sudan or locations where Saferworld has an operational presence or remote, will be considered

Reporting to: Research and Analysis Manager

Management responsibility (if applicable): N/A

Key Relationships: CSF team, Saferworld Conflict Advisory Unit, Donors, UN Agencies, INGOs and NNGOs, and Aid workers

Type of position: National position

Grade and Salary: Grade F.0 – In line with national salary scale

Contract terms and hours: Terms of contract: Fixed-term, until September 2026, with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance

Hours: Standard working week is 37.5 hours a week

Background:

Saferworld is an independent not-for-profit international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives since 1989. We work with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and security, and we conduct wider research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning to improve local and national policies and practices that help build inclusive, peaceful societies, while at the same time engaging internationally to reduce conflict and advance conditions for peace. The contribution we make rests on the partnerships and alliances we build with civil society networks, entities and movements, and with like-minded institutions, and through constructive engagement with local and national governing bodies and multilateral institutions. Our programming stretches across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and in policy/advocacy centres in London, Beijing, Brussels and Washington DC. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone enjoys the rights and freedom to live with dignity, free from fear and insecurity – and we are invested in the processes to bring about transformative solutions for lasting peace.

Saferworld is committed to providing a safe and trusted environment that safeguards our staff, partners and communities. Our organisational integrity is derived from the values and principles that underpin and guide our work.

Description of the Conflict Sensitivity Facility (CSF):

The CSF is part of Saferworld’s Conflict Advisory Unit (CAU) and it aims to: support the integration of conflict sensitivity into the policies, practices, and programmes of aid actors in Sudan. It draws upon Saferworld’s extensive experience of supporting similar processes in a range of contexts, coupled with our deep contextual knowledge and long-term, established relationships with Sudanese civil society from across the country. Over the past six years, for example, Saferworld has designed and built up the Conflict Sensitivity Resource Facility (CSRF) in South Sudan. Saferworld has been working on and in Sudan and South Sudan since 2002, including on issues of community security, small arms control, and gender equality and transformation, as well as providing advisory services and technical support on conflict sensitivity to the aid community.

For more information visit the Saferworld website here and the CSF website here.

Job purpose:

The Research and Analysis Advisor is expected to provide high-quality technical input on conflict-sensitive analysis, research, and programming in Sudan, focusing on aid actors, donors, Sudanese responders and policy-makers working at all levels, in close collaboration with the CAU support team and CSF Director. The Research and Analysis Advisor will lead the dissemination of findings, including support for the implementation of the CSF’s outreach strategy by coordinating outreach events linked to the analysis and research, alongside the CSF Outreach Advisor. The Research & Analysis Advisor will also work with the wider CSF team to support the smooth running of the CSF, including learning and communications, and will support the overall continued strategic development and adaptive management approach.

Roles and responsibilities:

Lead on analysis and research

• Lead on identifying analysis, briefing papers and priority research areas, focusing on donors and aid actors, to highlight conflict sensitivity risks and opportunities in Sudan. This includes responsibility for managing and delivering high quality research and analysis processes and written products and overseeing dissemination strategies.

• Ensure that the CSF is undertaking technically sound and relevant research and analysis that follows established research ethics, and considers gender at every step of the process, as guided by the CSF Research Ethics guidance and its gender and inclusion plan.

• Support, advise, review and edit analysis and research produced by CSF team members, partners and consultants, ensuring it is of high quality and provides relevant and actionable recommendations for policymakers and operational aid agencies. This includes overseeing the coordination of reviewer inputs from both internal and external stakeholders.

• Develop relationships and partnerships with a range of actors and institutions working in or on Sudan to collaboratively produce conflict sensitivity-related analysis and to identify opportunities to support relevant research processes conducted by others.

• Lead on identifying and sharing policy lessons and key takeaways from ongoing and published research and analysis on Sudan.

• Work with Sudanese researchers and analysts to provide technical advice and strengthen their capacity to integrate conflict sensitivity into their research and analysis.

• Coordinate the inputs of staff from other Saferworld teams, notably Advisers and Senior Advisers supporting the CSF activities.

Support the CSF research and outreach approach

• Undertake a monthly review of recent research and provide a ‘Monthly Research Update’ for circulation to the CSF Mailing list (with CAU support).

• Work with the Outreach Adviser to organise events linked to analysis and research work.

• Support donors and national and international partners in developing guidance on conflict sensitivity for their work in Sudan.

• Lead and support on the updates and delivery of the ‘Sudan Context Course for Aid Workers’.

• Support the development and operationalisation of one of the CSF’s thematic areas and its related analysis, outreach and research work.

Establish new and maintain existing relations with academia, researchers and donors

• Together with the Outreach and Analysis Manager and Outreach Advisor, establish collaborative working relationships with academics and other researchers working on Sudan.

• Develop new and maintain existing relationships and partnerships with a range of actors and institutions in Sudan engaging on analysis.

• Support the CSF director and other CSF team members to develop and maintain strong working relations with CSF donors and their implementing partners, and other operational agencies in Sudan.

• Support the sharing of lessons, analysis, and skills development opportunities between CSF staff and other Saferworld staff in Sudan.

Support the smooth running of the CSF

• Support the implementation of the communications strategy, including using social media platforms to raise awareness of the value of conflict sensitivity for Sudan’s aid sector and disseminate CSF products; plan and develop content in English and Arabic for the CSF’s online presence.

• Support capacity-strengthening, analysis, and learning activities of the CSF, working closely to support colleagues in the delivery of training, capacity support, and analysis activities.

Key working relationships

• CSF team – work collaboratively with the CSF team, especially the other Research and Analysis Advisor (and possibly consortium partners in the future) to link the research and analysis agenda with the project’s capacity-strengthening, outreach, and learning work;

• Saferworld Conflict Advisory Unit – work collaboratively with the CAU, especially the Senior Conflict and Security Advisors and the Project and Programmes Officer, to share learning and support delivery of activities that align with CSF’s mandate to promote conflict sensitivity;

• Donors, UN Agencies, INGOs and NNGOs – develop and maintain relationships with donors and other organisations working in Sudan, on conflict sensitivity issues, or on the Sudanese context more broadly.

• Aid workers – network with individual aid workers to support CSF’s outreach concerning capacity building, information sharing and learning around conflict sensitivity.

Scope and accountability

Decision-making and limits of authority

• Decisions relating to design and management of CSF’s analysis strategy and approach, with input and approval from CSF Director

• Decisions relating to design and delivery of CSF’s analysis activities, with input and approval from CSF Director

Financial resources N/A.

Other resources

• Production of high-quality research, analysis, and reports, and accurate information-sharing

• Responsible for and in custody of Saferworld equipment, such as a Laptop and mobile phone

People management

N/A

Legal, regulatory and compliance responsibility

• Comply with Saferworld’s policies and procedures, including security, HR and safeguarding, finance, and IT policies

• If and when authorised, act as the senior manager with corporate responsibility, in the absence of the CSF Director

Person specification

Knowledge, qualifications, and experience

Essential requirements:

• Master’s degree in social science, political science, research methodology, sociology, anthropology and/or a relevant topic and relevant professional experience

• Knowledge in the areas of peacebuilding, conflict prevention, conflict sensitivity, especially in relation to applying this to development and humanitarian sectors, conflict and political analysis, and governance

• In-depth knowledge of context and conflict dynamics in Sudan

• Demonstrated relevant experience in research, policy and strategic analysis on conflict, security, peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity issues

• Proven experience in conducting high quality social research on issues related to conflict, security, justice, gender equality and/or governance, and knowledge of relevant research methodologies

• Experience of working on conflict, gender equality, security, justice, human rights and/or governance issues in Sudan or the broader region

• Excellent (fluent/native) English writing skills, including reviewing and editing research and analysis products, and English presentation skills to diverse audiences, including donors and aid actors

• Capacity to produce high quality verbal briefs and written reports in English and Arabic

• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing contexts

• High standard of computer literacy

• Experience and comfort in providing mentorship, guidance, and support to a range of actors

• Experience in strategic planning and programme design and adaptive management

Desirable requirements:

• Experience of working with national governments, international organisations, the corporate sector and/or large multi-mandate development NGOs, in particular in conflict-affected and fragile contexts

• Experience in providing professional technical advice, including on a consultancy basis to the private sector and/or governments would be an advantage

• Knowledge of the relevant international discourses, policies, and actors on conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding, and conflict-affected and fragile states

• In-depth knowledge of context and conflict dynamics in the East Africa region, as they are influenced by/impact on Sudan

• Interest in and experience of working on wider global policy issues, for example, gender, climate

• Ability to write and present in Arabic and English to a high standard.

Saferworld is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage candidates from disadvantaged groups and candidates with disabilities to apply.

Skills and abilities

• Rigorous analytical skills, research and analysis skills, with a proven ability to write research and policy papers, briefings and articles

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Arabic and English

• Proven ability to work alongside and to learn from a wide range of people, including Sudanese partners

• Creativity, flexibility, self-motivation and the ability to prioritise workloads to meet deadlines

• Ability to lead/substantively engage in lessons learning processes and use adaptive management approaches

Personal qualities

• Commitment to and compliance with Saferworld’s safeguarding principles

• Commitment to respect and value equality and diversity, and understanding of how this applies to own area of work

• Commitment to own continuing personal and professional development

• Commitment to the vision, mission and values of Saferworld

• Commitment to improving international engagement in conflict-affected contexts and sharing experience-based ideas as to how this can be achieved.

Other requirements

• Travel to sub-national and remote locations in Sudan to areas recently affected by violent conflict may be required

• Occasional travel in the East Africa region

How to apply

Application process

Apply through our vacancy portal on our Saferworld Jobs website

Send your CV and a covering addressing the person specification and why you feel your experience matches the requirements of the role. AI should be used responsibly and for minimal support. Any applications showing heavy use of AI will be rejected.

Deadline for applications: 2nd February 2026