Mensen met een Missie (MM) is a Netherlands-based NGO that works to build peaceful and just societies by strengthening inclusive dialogue, empowering local actors, and addressing the root causes of conflict.
The Peace Project (TPP) is an eight-year programme (2024–2031) implemented by Mensen met een Missie (MM) and our partners in Uganda, South Sudan, DRC, and Burundi. The programme aims to contribute to sustainable peace by strengthening social cohesion, addressing grievances, and supporting inclusive peacebuilding approaches.
As part of its learning and research agenda, TPP is undertaking a study on digital peacebuilding, with in-depth country-level research planned in South Sudan. The objective of this research is to deepen understanding of how digital approaches are currently being used within TPP and how these can be strengthened to enhance peacebuilding outcomes.
The study will explore how country-based civil society organisations (CSOs), including religious actors, engage with digital platforms such as social media, online communication channels, and digital content to promote dialogue, social cohesion, and conflict transformation. It will also identify emerging practices, challenges, and opportunities related to digital engagement, including issues of digital literacy, misinformation, and harmful narratives.
The research is intended to generate practical, applied insights that directly inform programming, capacity strengthening, and future digital peacebuilding approaches within TPP.
Objectives of the Assignment
The Country Researcher will lead the design and implementation of applied, country-level research on digital peacebuilding in South Sudan, ensuring high-quality qualitative data collection, analysis, and actionable outputs developed in close collaboration with participating organisations and the MM team.
Methodology and Approach
The research will be participatory and practice-oriented, working closely with country-based CSOs and religious networks involved in TPP. The researcher will:
- Lead an inception phase with participating organisations and MM to jointly refine the research focus, questions, and expected outputs.
- Develop a country-specific research design and tools (e.g. interview guides, sampling strategy) relevant to the context of South Sudan.
- Conduct qualitative fieldwork, including interviews, focus group discussions, and relevant digital/online analysis.
- Work in close collaboration with participating organisations throughout the research process.
- Lead data analysis, including coding, transcription, and translation where needed.
- Facilitate validation processes with country partners and relevant actors to ensure findings are grounded and relevant, develop relevant and applicable deliverables and participate in dissemination activities.
Coordination & Roles
The researcher will work closely with MM’s Research Coordinator and relevant programme staff.
Regular coordination and communication will be ensured through:
- Regular progress updates and meetings with the MM team.
- Use of a shared progress tracker to monitor implementation.
- Ongoing collaboration with participating country-based CSOs.
The researcher is expected to take a leading role in coordinating the research process at country level, including engagement with partners and organisation of key research moments.
Deliverables
The focus of the assignment is on applied, practice-oriented outputs. Deliverables will be defined and refined in close cooperation with participating organisations and the MM team, and are expected to include:
- Brief inception report, including refined research questions, methodology, and workplan.
- Country-specific research design and tools.
- Raw qualitative data (transcripts, coded data).
- Draft and final country research outputs (report and/or other agreed formats).
- Led validation sessions with participating organisations.
- Contributions to cross-country learning and synthesis.
- Participation in dissemination activities (e.g. webinar).
Timeline
- May 2026: Recruitment and onboarding
- May–June 2026: Inception phase and fieldwork
- July 2026: Analysis and validation with partners
- August 2026: Finalisation of outputs and dissemination
Qualifications
We are looking for a researcher with:
- Master’s or PhD degree in social sciences or a related field, combined with strong practitioner experience. Candidates who do not fully meet these academic qualifications but demonstrate substantial relevant experience are still encouraged to apply. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Strong qualitative research skills.
- Experience in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, or PVE.
- Familiarity with digital ecosystems (social media, disinformation, digital literacy).
- Strong contextual familiarity with South Sudan and relevant languages (English & other relevant languages).
- Ability to travel domestically and conduct fieldwork.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
- Must be based in South Sudan.
Conditions
The researcher will be contracted by Mensen met een Missie.
- Duration: Approximately 30 working days between May and August 2026.
- Total fee: Payment is based on standard applicable daily rates, taking into account experience and qualifications, and based on the submitted financial proposal.
The fee includes any local travel, materials, and other costs incurred.
Ethical Requirements
The researcher is required to adhere to MM safeguarding policies, informed consent procedures, do-no-harm principles, and secure data handling practices.
Application Process
Applicants are requested to submit by May 8th:
- CV (maximum 3 pages)
- Cover letter including a short methodological outline (max 1 page)
- Relevant research writing sample
- Proposed detailed financial offer (within the indicated maximum budget)
- Two referees
Applications should be submitted to sollicitatie@mensenmeteenmissie.nl.
Enquiries about the research assignment may be directed to MarkHann@mensenmeteenmissie.nl.
Mensen met een Missie values diversity and inclusion. We warmly welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of religion, background, gender, sexual orientation, or age. We kindly invite applications from candidates who are currently residing in the Netherlands.
We kindly ask recruitment agencies not to respond to this vacancy.