We don’t simplify complexity. We navigate it.
Scope of engagement
Assignments vary in scale, duration and method. Depending on the brief, engaged researchers may contribute to:
- Baseline, midline and endline studies
- Qualitative field research, key informant interviews and focus group discussions
- Perception, attitude and behaviour studies
- Impact, process and performance evaluations
- Political economy and conflict analysis
- Survey design, enumeration oversight and data quality assurance
- Evidence reviews, policy briefs and working papers
Thematic areas
Assignments fall within Complexia’s four thematic areas.
Peacebuilding, conflict and the prevention of violent extremism — radicalisation and disengagement, reintegration, community cohesion, local conflict dynamics, perceptions of security and the state.
Governance and civil society — local governance and decentralisation, civic participation, accountability, the political economy of reform, civil society capacity and sustainability.
Economic recovery and livelihoods — informality, displacement and livelihoods, local economic development, labour markets, migration, and the economics of fragile settings.
Youth development — employment and school-to-work transitions, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, mobility and aspiration.
Profiles sought
Advanced degree in a relevant discipline; a substantial body of applied research; demonstrated capacity to lead teams, own methodology, and serve as named key expert.
Relevant graduate degree; proven experience leading fieldwork, analysis and report writing on applied research assignments.
Strong methodological training or demonstrable access to a specific context, community or population. Access and reliability weigh as heavily here as formal credentials.
Applications are particularly welcome from researchers based outside capital cities and working in under-covered governorates, provinces and border areas.
Requirements
- Based in, from, or with sustained working presence in North Africa or the Sahel
- Demonstrated applied research experience; academic publication welcome but not required
- Working proficiency in at least two of Arabic, French and English, including the language of fieldwork
- Availability for assignment-based engagement on a consultancy basis
- Demonstrated commitment to research ethics, informed consent, data protection, and the safety of participants and field teams
- Willingness to sign confidentiality undertakings prior to receiving assignment documentation
Terms
Engagements are contracted on an individual consultancy basis for the duration of the assignment. Remuneration is set per assignment, according to scope, level of effort and profile, and is discussed with pre-selected candidates. Complexia does not require exclusivity.
How to express interest
Send the following to contact@complexia.net, with the subject line “EOI 2026-04 — [Country] — [Family name]”:
- CV, maximum 4 pages, indicating languages, regions of fieldwork experience and methodological strengths
- One writing sample you authored or co-authored — report, chapter, article or brief — in any working language
- A statement of maximum 300 words responding to: describe a research assignment where field conditions diverged from the design, and how you handled it
Submissions that do not follow the subject-line format, or that are incomplete, will not be reviewed.
Send your expression of interest →
Process
Expressions of interest are reviewed on a rolling basis. Pre-selected candidates are contacted directly and invited to a short interview, at which stage assignment documentation is shared under confidentiality. Complexia is not able to respond individually to every submission.
Complexia is an equal opportunity institution. Applications from women researchers are strongly encouraged.