Summary:
Seeking for an Individual consultant to contribute to a research project on Ethiopiaโs Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) and its impact on local conflict risk. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Economics, Geography, or a related field, with experience in GIS data and a track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Responsibilities include co-designing the study, creating a GIS database linked to PSNP administrative records, data analysis, and co-authoring a research paper. Knowledge of the PSNP and proficiency in ArcGIS or Stata are essential. The project requires delivering a co-authored research paper by December 15, 2024
Background:
Widespread poverty and the inability to smooth consumption in the face of income shocks are considered some of the root causes of violence and conflict in low- and middle-income countries. Meanwhile, the last two decades have seen a significant increase in the number of social protection programs aiming to reduce poverty and improve household resilience against shocks. Yet, there has been relatively little research assessing the extent to which social protection programs alter the risk of conflict. The available evidence from Africa and India provides mixed results (Fetzer, 2020; Premand and Rohner, 2023; Bertrand et al., 2021).
To contribute to this research agenda, we will examine this question in the context of rural Ethiopiaโs Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP). Launched in 2005 and reaching 8 million beneficiaries, the PSNP is one of the largest and longest-running public works programs in the world. Prior research indicates that the program has improved food security and resilience among its beneficiaries (Berhane et al., 2014; Knippenberg and Hoddinott, 2017). By linking administrative data with remote sensing data on conflict events, we aim to study the long-term impacts of the PSNP on local conflict risk.
In collaboration with the project manager, the consultant will co-design the study, , conduct a literature review, create a GIS database linked to administrative records on PSNP operations, analyze the data, and prepare an academic article based on the research.
Required qualifications:
- Previous experience working with or analyzing GIS data
- PhD in Economics, Geography, or related subjects
- Established track record of publishing research in international peer-reviewed journals.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
- Excellent writing skills in English.
- Good knowledge of the PSNP, demonstrated by prior research on the program.
- Advanced proficiency in ArcGIS (or a similar program) or Stata.
Deliverables:
- Co-authored draft research paper based on the analysis.
Timeframe/duration of work:
- Deliverable due by 15 December.
Requirements
- Most recent CV
- applicants to indicate/submit their daily rate