Migration Governance Researcher

SRD Center is seeking a Research / Policy Research Support Expert to support an anticipated international consultancy assignment focusing on migration governance, Africa–Europe cooperation and development of a strategic policy publication.

The Research Expert will work closely with the Lead Migration Governance Expert / Lead Author and will primarily support the desk-research, documentation-review, evidence-mapping and analytical stages of the assignment.

The work will involve reviewing a substantial body of institutional, governmental, policy, programme and academic documentation covering approximately twenty years of regional migration cooperation. The Research Expert will help organise and synthesise evidence relating to institutional milestones, migration-policy developments, thematic priorities, achievements, lessons learned, emerging issues and future migration-governance trends.

The position is fully remote.

Tasks

The Research / Policy Research Support Expert will:

• Support comprehensive desk research and documentation review.
• Identify, collect, organise and catalogue relevant documents and evidence.
• Review policy documents, ministerial declarations, action plans, institutional reports, programme documents, research studies and academic literature.
• Prepare and maintain a structured document inventory and source register.
• Support development and updating of an evidence matrix covering institutional, chronological and thematic developments.
• Map major institutional milestones and changes in migration-policy priorities over time.
• Support analysis of key migration-governance themes, including:
- migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings; - return and reintegration; - legal migration and mobility; - international protection; - diaspora engagement and development.
• Identify evidence on key achievements, gaps, challenges, emerging issues and good or promising practices.
• Review relevant geopolitical, demographic, economic, environmental and policy trends affecting migration governance.
• Conduct targeted research on Africa–Europe migration cooperation and relevant regional and international policy frameworks.
• Prepare concise analytical summaries, background notes and briefing materials for the Lead Expert.
• Support preparation of stakeholder consultation questions and background information.
• Organise and synthesise information collected through remote stakeholder consultations.
• Support comparison and triangulation of documentary and consultation evidence.
• Conduct factual verification and source checking for draft sections of the strategic publication.
• Assist the Lead Author in preparing tables, timelines, thematic summaries and evidence-based narrative sections.
• Support management of references, citations, footnotes and supporting documentation.
• Maintain clear and organised electronic project files and version control.
• Support preparation of comment-response matrices during technical and peer-review stages.
• Assist with final quality checks to ensure evidence is accurately reflected in the publication.

Qualifications

Candidates should have:

• A university degree, preferably at postgraduate level, in migration studies, international relations, political science, public policy, international development, social sciences or a related field.
• Demonstrated professional experience in policy research, migration research, international development research or a closely related area.
• Experience conducting structured desk research and literature/document reviews.
• Experience analysing policy, institutional and programme documentation.
• Knowledge of migration governance and international migration policy.
• Familiarity with migration issues affecting Africa and Europe is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Africa–Europe migration cooperation, regional migration frameworks or intergovernmental dialogue processes is an advantage.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following themes is desirable:
- irregular migration; - migrant smuggling and trafficking; - return and reintegration; - legal migration and mobility; - international protection; - migration and development; - diaspora engagement.
• Strong analytical, synthesis and critical-reading abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to organise large volumes of documentary evidence systematically.
• Experience preparing analytical summaries, literature reviews, policy briefs, background papers or research reports.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly in source verification and referencing.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Professional proficiency in French would be a significant advantage.
• Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel and online research tools.
• Ability to work independently as part of a remote international research team.
• Ability to meet short deadlines and respond efficiently to requests from the Lead Expert.