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Short-Term Researcher

Obirodh: Road to Tolerance Program, Bangladesh

Project Summary:

USAIDs Obirodh: Road to Tolerance Program will provide support to activities aimed at fostering an inclusive and tolerant Bangladesh. Obirodh is a three-year program for the period August 2017 to August 2020, with the possibility of extension based on USAID funding and approval. Obirodh is Bengali term for harmony and peace. One of the primary aims of the Obirodh program is to commission research, build local capacity, and work with Bangladeshi actors to implement grant-based preventive interventions that reduce the threat of violent extremism (VE) in Bangladesh.

Position Summary:

MSI is seeking to partner with a social and psychological profiling expert and researcher to guide the social and psychological profiling of violent extremist and terror suspects in South Asia through data retrieved from an online portal, key informant interviews and direct suspect interviews where possible.

According to Douglas and Olshaker (1999), “criminal profiling is used mostly by behavioral scientists and the police to narrow down an investigation to those who possess certain behavioral and personality features that are revealed by the way a crime was committed. The objective is to aid local police in limiting and refining their suspect list so that they can direct their resources where they might do the most good” (Douglas and Olshaker, 1999).

The proposed analysis takes a view in line with the aforenoted objectives of criminal profiling, with the more specific approach in this work being the examination of whether any trends emerge among the set of known and suspected terrorists in the selected South Asian country.

Researchers are expected to develop guidelines for reviewing collected data, case records, interview notes, and other secondary information for local researchers to utilize. In addition, the researchers are expected to develop guidelines for performing key informant interviews with suspects, family and friends, case officers, and others, to produce findings on the social profiles of violent extremist and terror suspects. Researchers may be called upon to travel to the selected country to provide in person training, participate in selected key informant interviews, and may be granted publication permission of selected information as approved by the local security agency partner. Researchers will be expected to contribute editorial support and to be available for support to local researchers for project lifetime.

Researchers are expected to have conducted terror suspect profiling before and to have a solid grasp of violent extremism, radicalization, drivers (push and pull), and psychosocial profiling experience. Researchers should also familiarize themselves with the South Asian context, if they havent already. Researchers should plan to provide information to the client team in a comprehensive and coherent manner to justify their skills.

This research is intended to support the development of preventive and counter violent extremist activities implemented by the project and the cooperating agency**.**

Timeline: Anticipated 6 months total duration with 12 weeks of engagement.

3-4 weeks: Establishment of profiling approach, guidelines, and tools for local researchers to use in developing basic classifications and categorization of over 500 suspected VE and terror suspects.

2 weeks: Support local researchers in identifying which case studies (15-30) to pursue.

2 weeks: Develop guidelines and training materials for local researchers to conduct key informant interviews in order to develop profile information (Field Investigators with Local support team)

3-4 weeks: Assist local researchers in preparing case studies, final report and presentation.

Qualifications:

The selected STTA researcher must demonstrate:

Extensive (seven or more years) experience with performing social and psychological profiling of criminal suspects; and fair (at least three years) experience profiling violent extremist and terror suspects (ideally within a federal or international security and justice organization or bureau).

Experience in developing tools for evaluation, criteria of inclusion, analytical approaches, and guidelines for international teams is required.

Experience working in the field of P/CVE, understanding of radicalization, VE and terrorism, motives, and agendas, as well as familiarity with the global data on violent extremists and terrorists is important.

Experience working with and training global teams and it would be desirable to have experience in South Asia, though not required.

Extremely strong organizational skills and timeliness in project milestone delivery.

Degree in Psychology, Criminology, or other related field; experience or specialized degree in forensic psychology, criminal profiling, or related specialty.

Excellent English writing and speaking skills.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. This position is contingent upon USAID approval

MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.

PI114731852

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