Terms of Reference (ToR)

Collaboration Roster for Research and Evaluation

Background

think-ahead (Penser l’action humanitaire et l’aide au dèveloppement) is a Geneva-based research association committed to strengthening policy, research, and evidence-based approaches in humanitarian action, development, and peacebuilding. As part of our efforts to expand our work, we are establishing a collaboration roster to identify and engage with researchers, policy analysts, evaluation professionals and institutions.

This roster will allow think-ahead to rapidly mobilize expertise for research projects, evaluations, and policy engagements across a variety of thematic areas. By bringing together independent researchers and institutional collaborators, we aim to enhance the impact and accessibility of evidence-based knowledge in humanitarian and development work. This initiative comes at a time when the humanitarian and development sectors are facing severe budget constraints, making collaborative, strategic, and evidence-driven approaches more critical than ever to ensure meaningful impact and informed decision-making.

As part of our commitment to decolonizing research, humanitarian and development sectors, strengthening localization, and shifting the power dynamics in knowledge generation, think-ahead strongly encourages local researchers and institutions from the Global South to join this collaboration roster. This initiative is rooted in the recognition that historically, knowledge production in humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors has often been dominated by top-down approaches and manifested in inequitable partnerships, which have side-lined local knowledge, expertise and lived experiences. This roster is more than a database of expertise—it is a step towards building a more just and inclusive research ecosystem where local knowledge is valued, amplified, and meaningfully engaged in global policy and decision-making. We encourage local researchers and institutions to apply, take the lead in research initiatives, and contribute to shaping a more equitable global research landscape.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this call for collaboration are two folds:

First, to strengthen think-ahead’s capacity to:

·       Rapidly identify highly skilled local and international experts and institutions for research and evaluation opportunities.

·       Build a dynamic pool of collaborators with expertise in specific thematic and regional areas.

·       Facilitate partnerships for joint research initiatives and commissioned studies.

·       Increase think-ahead’s ability to respond to funding and research opportunities in a timely and strategic manner.

Second, the collaboration roster will also serve as a foundation for broader engagement by:

·       Establishing a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange, dialogue, and innovation among experts and institutions engaged in humanitarian action, development, and peacebuilding.

·       Strengthening policy engagement and advocacy efforts, ensuring that evidence-based research informs decision-making at national, regional, and global levels.

·       Enhancing collective learning and capacity-building, fostering an inclusive and participatory approach to addressing critical global challenges.

·       Strengthen the capacity and elevate the voices and expertise of local researchers and institutions embedded within their communities.

Scope of Work

The collaboration roster will provide a dynamic pool of local and international experts and institutions who may contribute to a range of research, policy analysis, evaluation, and capacity-building activities. These engagements will strengthen evidence-based approaches and foster collaborative partnerships across multiple sectors. Members of the collaboration roster may be engaged in the following activities:

Research and Policy Analysis

·       Conducting qualitative and quantitative research, including field studies, needs, risk and impact assessments, and policy evaluations to generate actionable insights

·       Developing policy briefs, reports, and technical papers to inform policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in humanitarian action, development, and peacebuilding.

·       Supporting evidence-based decision-making and program design by synthesizing research findings into strategic recommendations tailored to local, national, and global contexts.

·       Conducting comparative policy analysis to identify best practices and lessons learned from different regions and thematic areas.

·       Translating academic research into implementable policy guidelines, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is practically applied to solve real-world challenges

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)

·       Designing MEL frameworks and tools that align with international standards and best practices to measure impact and effectiveness.

·       Conducting baseline, midline, and endline evaluations to assess the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, and impact of programs.

·       Carrying out real-time and participatory evaluations, ensuring inclusive and context-sensitive assessments.

·       Developing and implementing data collection, analysis, and reporting mechanisms using mixed-methods approaches, including surveys, focus group discussions, and participatory research.

·       Providing capacity building for MEL systems, including training stakeholders on research methodologies, data collection methods, results-based programming and management, and adaptive learning approaches.

Joint Initiatives and Capacity Strengthening

·       Partnering on funding proposals for research, leveraging the collective expertise of roster members to secure grants and commissioned studies.

·       Developing joint research agendas to explore pressing global challenges, emerging issues, and innovative approaches to humanitarian action, development, and peacebuilding.

·       Supporting institutional capacity-strengthening efforts by providing training, mentorship, and technical support to organizations and local institutions.

Thematic, Regional, and Technical Expertise

think ahead seeks collaborators with expertise in a range of thematic areas, regions, and technical skills to strengthen research, policy analysis, and evaluation efforts globally.

      Thematic Areas of Expertise

We welcome experts working in the following fields:

·       Child protection and safeguarding

·       Peacebuilding, community engagement and conflict analysis, assessment and prevention

·       Human rights and social justice

·       Gender, sexual orientation, and feminist analysis, SOGIESC

·       Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

·       Refugees, internal displacement, and statelessness

·       Local and durable solutions

·       Migration, boarder control and management

·       Social protection

·       Disability and inclusion

·       Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

·       Livelihoods, self-reliance and local economic development

·       Education in emergencies and development contexts

·       Climate resilience, mitigation, adaptation and environmental sustainability

·       Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Management

·       Humanitarian assessments, needs, risk, environmental, social impact assessments

·       Food security and nutrition

·       Health and health systems

·       Psychosocial, mental health services in crisis contexts

·       Institutional development, democracy, governance and rule of law

·       Partnership, nexus

·       Localization

Technical Expertise

We also seek professionals with strong research, analytical, and advocacy skills, including:

·       Qualitative and quantitative research methods

·       Participatory approaches

·       Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

·       Policy analysis and advocacy

·       Data analysis and visualization

·       Research translation and communication

·       Grant writing and fundraising for research initiatives

·       Stakeholder engagement, capacity strengthening and training

Regional Expertise

We seek both local and international experts, with a focus on regional expertise in:

·       MENA Region (Middle East and North Africa)

·       West Africa

·       East and Horn of Africa

·       Central and Southern Africa

·       Central Asia

·       South and Southeast Asia

·       Latin America and the Caribbean

·       Eastern Europe

Who Can Join the Roster?

We invite independent researchers, policy analysts, and institutions to join our collaboration roster if they meet the following criteria:

·      At least three years’ experience in research, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), or policy analysis within the thematic, technical and geographic areas previously outlined.

·      Work experience with UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs, community-based organisations, research centres, and or academic institutions.

·      A university degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

·      Strong analytical, critical, interpersonal, presentation and writing skills in relevant languages

·      Available for short-term collaboration and or interest in long-term partnerships.

Application Submission Process

Interested individuals and institutions are encouraged to submit the following documents for consideration:

·       Updated CV (and Institutional Profile for institutional submissions) including relevant experience and references (Required)

·       Cover letter outlining your expertise and alignment with thematic focus. The cover letter should not exceed two pages (Required)

·       Sample Work (Desirable): Submit examples of your previous work, such as reports, evaluations, research papers or policy briefs, that demonstrate your skills and alignment with our thematic focus.

·       Online Checklist (Required): Complete the essential online questionnaire and checklist available here. Submitting the checklist is crucial for your application to be considered.

Duration and Contractual Terms

• The roster for short-term collaboration will remain valid for an initial period of two years, subject to renewal.

• Contracts will be issued per assignment, with the scope of work and deliverables defined in advance.

• Remuneration will be based on qualifications, experience, and the complexity of the assignment.

Privacy and Ethical Standards

We ensure the strictest privacy protection in handling applications, adhering to rigorous data protection standards to secure and respect applicant confidentiality. All collaborators are expected to adhere to think-ahead ethical research standards, data protection guidelines, and safeguarding principles.

Submission Deadline

Please submit your applications to jobs@think-ahead.ch by June 30, 2025. We encourage early submissions to facilitate timely collaboration opportunities. For further information, please contact info@think-ahead.ch