Call for Researcher

Title: Researcher

Project Reference: Improving Civil Society Capacities to Enhance Access to Quality Social Protection for Diverse Women and Men

Implementing Lead Organisation: Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN)

Location: Kosovo

BACKGROUND

The Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) is a coalition of diverse women’s rights organizations across Kosovo, established informally in 1996 and formally registered in 2004. KWN’s mission is to support, protect, and promote the rights and interests of women and girls, regardless of their political or religious beliefs, age, education level, sexual orientation, or abilities.

This Terms of Reference (ToR) relates to the Action “Improving Civil Society Capacities to Enhance Access to Quality Social Protection for Diverse Women and Men,” funded by the European Commission through the EU Civil Society Facility and Media Programme for Kosovo – 2023. The Action aligns with KWN’s Strategy 2023-2026, focusing on gender-responsive social protection and strengthening civil society’s role in shaping inclusive policies. The Action’s overall objective is to strengthen the resilience, role, and capacities of civil society in advancing inclusive democracy and gender-responsive social progress, in line with Kosovo’s EU integration agenda. Its specific objective is to enhance KWN’s and its members’ capacity to influence, reform, and monitor social protection policies, ensuring better access to services for diverse women and men.

Expected results include enhanced participation and activism of KWN and its members in shaping social protection policies, improved quality of policy recommendations submitted to institutions, increased access to social protection services for marginalized groups, and strengthened capacities of civil society organizations to advocate for gender-responsive reforms. The Action also aims to improve municipal and national institutions’ commitment to gender-responsive budgeting, ensuring adequate resource allocation for social protection services.

Research plays a critical role in achieving the Action’s expected results, including enhancing the participation and activism of KWN and its members in shaping social protection policies, improving the quality and credibility of policy recommendations submitted to institutions, and increasing access to services for marginalized groups. Strengthened civil society capacities to collect, analyze, and present data are essential for advocating gender-responsive reforms and ensuring institutions are held accountable.

Through field research, data collection, policy analysis, and knowledge generation, this Action supports evidence-based engagement with municipal and national institutions. It also contributes to advancing gender equality, democratic governance, and rule of law by ensuring that social protection frameworks and service provision are inclusive, effective, and aligned with EU standards.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ENGAGEMENT

KWN seeks a full-time researcher to contribute to implementing this Action, supporting high-quality, evidence-based research that informs inclusive, gender-responsive policy development in Kosovo. The Researcher will be responsible for developing and conducting research, as well as strengthening the knowledge of KWN members, enabling them to influence, monitor, and advocate for improved social protection policies and services.

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the supervision of the KWN Deputy Director and Lead Researcher, the Researcher will be expected to carry out the following tasks:

  • Literature review and desk research: Review and synthesize existing literature and research related to research topics selected with KWN staff, members and partners.
  • Methodology Development: Design appropriate research methodologies and tools (e.g., interview and focus group guides, survey instruments), ensuring they are inclusive.
  • Data Collection: Conduct field research, including individual interviews, focus groups, and online surveys.
  • Data Analysis: Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of collected data, ensuring a gender-responsive and intersectional approach.
  • Report Writing: Develop policy briefs, papers, and reports that include evidence-based and actionable recommendations for national and municipal institutions.
  • Monitoring and Analysis: Support monitoring of legal and policy developments related to social protection, assessing their alignment with gender equality standards and obligations.
  • Advocacy and Communication: Assist in presenting research findings to diverse stakeholders, including through public events, media engagements, and the development of public relations materials.
  • Coordination and Capacity Building: Coordinate with volunteers, mobilisers and interns engaged in research process, providing guidance and support to ensure consistent quality and ethical standards.
  • Capacity Development: Engage in learning activities to further develop skills in gender analysis, gender-responsive budgeting, and rights-based approaches to social protection.

TIMEFRAME

The researcher will be engaged full-time for 22 months.

Application and Contracting Period:

  • Call for Applications: Open for 21 days from the date of publication.
  • Selection and Contracting: Completed by September 8, 2025.
  • Contract Start Date: September 15, 2025
  • Contract End Date: June 30, 2027

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required Qualifications:

  • University degree in social sciences, gender studies, public policy, law, sociology, or a related field. A Master’s degree will be considered an asset.
  • Proven experience in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research, including data collection (e.g., interviews, focus groups, surveys) and analysis.
  • Familiarity with gender analysis tools, social protection frameworks, and/or gender-responsive budgeting.
  • Strong writing skills and experience drafting policy briefs, research reports, and/or analytical papers.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills in Albanian and/or Serbian; proficiency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of ethical research standards, including informed consent, data protection, and confidentiality.

Preferred Experience:

  • At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in research, policy analysis, or academic work related to social inclusion, gender equality, or human rights.
  • Previous experience working with civil society organizations, EU-funded projects, or international development actors.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
  • Experience mentoring or coordinating research assistants, interns, or volunteers.

DATA PROTECTION (GDPR COMPLIANCE)

The Researcher must comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Kosovo laws in handling personal data collected during the research. All information must be treated with strict confidentiality, stored securely, and used solely for the purposes of this engagement. Informed consent must be obtained from all participants.

The Researcher is expected to uphold ethical research standards, including voluntary participation, cultural and gender sensitivity, and ensuring no harm to participants. Any conflicts of interest must be disclosed.

All data, materials, and outputs produced under this engagement are the property of the KWN and the European Union. These may not be shared or published without prior written consent. Proper visibility of EU support must be ensured in all communications and deliverables.

PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE COMPLIANCE

The selection of the researcher will follow a competitive and transparent procurement process in line with EU and KWN procurement regulations.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Demonstrating relevant education, research experience, and skills.
  • Cover Letter: Explaining the candidate’s interest in the position, KWN, suitability for the role, and availability for the duration of the contract.
  • One sample of written work: Such as a research report, policy brief, or publication demonstrating relevant analytical and writing skills (preferably authored solely by the applicant).
  • Contact details of two professional references: Preferably from previous supervisors or academic advisors familiar with the applicant’s research or policy work.

Application documents must be submitted electronically in PDF format to info@womensnetwork.org by August 27, 2025, subject: “Researcher Position”. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.