Research Consultant

POSITION SUMMARY

The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) is seeking an experienced researcher to support its flagship report Education Under Attack (EUA). Research will primarily contribute to the 2026 report, with a secondary focus on GCPEA’s broader research agenda. The main responsibilities of the role include desk research on attacks on education, factchecking and editing existing draft profiles and chapters, and drafting country profiles for Education under Attack 2026. The consultant will also contribute analysis, editing, and inputs to EuA’s thematic areas and GCPEA’s related research briefs.  The consultancy is for a duration of 13 months at 8-10 days a month with a possibility of renewal. The position is fully remote. The consultant will be paid monthly based on a daily rate of $240-$280 USD. The Research Consultant will report to GCPEA’s Senior Researcher, Allyson Bachta.

GCPEA was formed in 2010 by organizations working in the fields of education in emergencies, higher education, protection, and international human rights and humanitarian law who were concerned about ongoing attacks on educational institutions, their students, and staff in countries affected by conflict. GCPEA is governed by a Steering Committee made up of the following international organizations: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Education Above All Foundation, Plan International, Save the Children, UNICEF, and UNESCO. GCPEA is a project of the Tides Center, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, which serves as fiscal sponsor.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct research on attacks on education and draft country profiles and copy edit and fact check chapters of Education under Attack 2026
  • Conduct desk research on attacks on education following EuA methodologies. This includes reviewing UN and NGO reports, engaging in phone/online interviews, conducting media research, and searching ACLED project database.
  • Enter information on attacks on education into country-specific Excel datasheets.
  • Analyze data collected using Excel and draft country profiles.
  • Review, edit, and factcheck drafts of country profiles.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and experience

• University degree in international development or relevant social science, Master’s degree preferred
• Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research in areas related to children in armed conflict and/or human rights
• A minimum of two years’ experience with diverse research tools and technologies, including Excel

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of the challenges to education in settings of armed conflict
• Exceptional writing and critical thinking skills; strong proofreading skills
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel, including the use of formulas, data validation, sorting, and filtering functions. Very strong attention to detail
• Experience with data collection and entry preferred
• Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to work collaboratively as a member of GCPEA’s research team
• Solid organizational skills and ability to multi-task and focus on several projects simultaneously
• Proficiency in a second language preferred, particularly Arabic, French, or Spanish

Work Environment, Location and Travel

GCPEA cultivates a supportive and inclusive environment. Reasonable accommodation will be made for people with disabilities and flexible work arrangements are available (including reduced and non-traditional work hours). The location for this position is remote.

Physical Demands

The Research Consultant will spend up to seven hours a day sitting at a desk working on a computer or speaking on a telephone.

To Apply:

In one combined PDF document, please submit via email: 

1. A cover letter that includes your daily rate, your available start date, as well as highlights your qualitative and quantitative research experience.
2. A CV that highlights your qualitative and quantitative research experience.
3. Names and contact information for 2-3 references that can speak to your qualitative and quantitative research experience.

Application review will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Final candidates will be contacted for interviews with the research team. Please send all correspondence related to this position to Allyson Bachta at abachta@protectingeducation.org