National Research Consultant - Programa Apoiu Seguransa Komunidade (PASK) - The Asia Foubdation

Call for a National Research Consultant 

 

Programa Apoiu Seguransa Komunidade (PASK) – Timor-Leste 

 

 

Role	National Research Consultant
Entity	Independent contractor (consultant) or company
Nationality	Timor-Leste Nationals
Topic areas	Field research for the CPC evaluation
Timeframe	A Month (April 07 – June 07, 2022)
Level of Effort	30 days
Location	Dili with Travel to the Municipalities
Reports to	Team Leader of PASK

 

Background 

The Community Security and Justice Program (Programa Apoiu Seguransa Komunidade, PASK) is a $5 million ($7 million NZD) five-year program funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). PASK aims to build inclusive and equitable access to security and justice services for women, youth, and vulnerable groups in order to promote trust, social cohesion, and economic prosperity in communities.  

 

PASK builds on over ten years of Asia Foundation programming and cooperation with the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) and Polísia Nasionál Timor-Leste (PNTL) to build a Timorese model of community policing. The most visible feature of the Foundation’s support for community policing is the establishment of community police councils (CPCs) that exist as a part of community policing initiatives around the world – but set up ‘in a manner that aligns with the cadences and cultures of Timor-Leste’ (Peake et al. 2014: 23). The CPC’s were Initially designed to prevent conflict at the community level, and comprise of a forum of community leaders and local security actors. Over time, the number of CPCs has ballooned – from 72 across eight municipalities in September 2014 to 333 across 13 municipalities in 2021. In addition, the purpose and functions of the CPC have similarly evolved. While some continue to play a communal conflict prevention role, others are increasingly involved in dealing with interpersonal disputes and grievances, and in carrying out a wider range of public works functions. This evaluation attempts to better understand how CPCs are operating across Timor-Leste. 

 

Evaluation Purpose 

Ten years after first supporting the establishment of the CPCs, the Foundation intends to conduct an evaluation of CPCs to capture a more nuanced picture of how CPCs operate in practice. The proposed evaluation intends to build on the first evaluation of CPCs conducted in 2015, the CPC case studies conducted in 2016, and a learning paper that was developed in March 2021.  

 

The objective of the CPC evaluation is to: 

• Develop a better understanding of the dispute resolution processes CPCs are undertaking;  
• Develop a better understanding of how CPCs can connect people to services; 
• Assess the risks of CPCs overstepping their mandate and undermining, rather than supporting, community safety and justice;  
• Consider ways for growing good practice organically; 
• Think about ways to monitor CPC practice. 

 

The primary audience for the evaluation is communities, stakeholders, and local organizations at the sub-district and municipal level. CPC evaluation findings will be used by TAF, PNTL (Squadron Commander, Suco Police Officer/OPS), to improve the quality of CPC performance. The secondary audiences are other PNTL units (National Community Policing Department, Police Training Centre, District Commander, and Squadron Commander), MFAT, GoTL (MoI/DNPCC and MoSA/DNAAS) to inform new strategies, planning and resource allocation. 

 

Summary of Assignment 

We are seeking to contract a national research consultant or organization (individual or a company) will support the lead research consultant to carry out the data collection and field research for the CPC evaluation.  

 

Responsibilities 

• Working with the lead researcher, the national research consultant is expected; 
• Participate in a workshop to design key evaluation questions and M&E tools; 
• Collect data and conduct interviews in the field with diverse stakeholders including local police and communities; 
• Report on field findings according to agreed data collection tools and validate findings; 
• Provide translation for lead consultant where necessary.  

 

Requirements 

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in conflict, political science, governance or relevant field. Or a Diploma with 3 years’ experience in research; 
• Experience in the field of security, conflict prevention, or policing; 
• At least two years of experience in conducting assessments and evaluations in the security sector or conflict programs; 
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with people of different backgrounds, including gender sensitivity and diverse political views; 
• Ability to use critical thinking, conceptualize ideas, and articulate relevant subject matter concisely; 
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Tetun; 
• Ability to travel to the municipalities for the period of the field research. 

 

Timeframe 

07 April 2022 – 07 June 2022  

 

APPLICATIONS 

Applications must be submitted in English to chiquito.ribeiro@asiafoundation.org and  heidi.arbuckle@asiafoundation.org  on or before March 23, 2022  

 

They must: 

• Include CV and a cover letter; 
• Address the Requirements above through either a company profile demonstrating relevant experience, or a CV (for individuals); 
• Include a cost proposal (for companies); or completed biodata form (for independent contractors); 
• Three contactable references. 
  

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. No phone calls or emails will be entertained. 

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