Request for Proposal: Independent Contractor: Research Analyst, Task Force on Accountability in an Era of Strategic Rivalry

Call for Independent Contractor(s)

United States Institute of Peace

Independent Contractor: Research Analyst,

Task Force on Accountability in an Era of Strategic Rivalry

Washington, DC (or remote)

Release Date: December 8, 2023

RFP Due Date: 5:00pm EST on December 18, 2023

Submit Response to:

Lauren Baillie

lbaillie@usip.org

The response must be submitted by time and date listed above to be considered.

Introduction and Background

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. For more information, please visit http://www.usip.org.

 

USIP’s Center for Thematic Excellence is built on the premise that there are common tools and approaches to peacebuilding that are adaptive, but applicable to peacebuilding globally. We serve as the hub of the Institute’s common resources for governments, organizations, and individuals seeking to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict worldwide. USIP’s Governance, Justice & Security team helps states and members of society work together to strengthen the rule of law through justice reform and efforts to hold actors liable from mass atrocities accountable. USIP develops innovative models to foster and shepherd sustainable and locally supported reforms, trains rule-of-law practitioners, conducts research and holds forums to share knowledge.

 

Purpose of the RFP

USIP is seeking an independent contractor to serve as a Research Analyst within the Center for Thematic Excellence, Governance, Justice & Security team. He/she will support the work of the Task Force on Accountability in an Era of Strategic Rivalry by producing 4 research memoranda on topics to be determined. The Research Analyst will have a PhD, J.D., or S.J.D (or be in the final stages of a doctoral program) and 1-2 years of demonstrated experience in research, with particular focus on research related to questions of international Law.

Background and Scope of Work

USIP’s Task Force on Accountability in an Era of Strategic Rivalry considers the impact of strategic rivalry on international accountability and develops recommendations for how the U.S. and likeminded actors may shore up and/or strengthen the global commitment to international accountability.

The Research Analyst for the Task Force on Accountability in an Era of Strategic Rivalry will work with the Executive Secretariat of the Task Force, which includes the Co-chair(s), Principal Investigator, Director for Governance, Justice & Security and Senior Program Officer for Atrocity Prevention. The Research Analyst will conduct research in support of developing the Task Force’s mandate and may conduct research as part of the Task Force work plan. The timeframe for this commitment is January 15, 2024, through May 15, 2024.

During the contract period, the Research Analyst will prepare 4 research memoranda of 15-20 pages, roughly one per month, based on topics determined in partnership with the Executive Secretariat related to international law, accountability, and strategic rivalry. Research memoranda may include: (1) preliminary surveys of available literature to support the Task Force in refining a particular research question; (2) research digests cataloguing available articles or resources addressing Task Force research questions; (3) questions of international law; (4) case studies on major issues in accountability; and (5) consideration of how multilateral bodies have addressed issues of strategic rivalry.

In fulfilling Task Force research requests, Contractor will work closely with Executive Secretariat of the Task Force, and may be asked to review, revise, or deepen research product to support the Executive Secretariat’s understanding of the issues addressed.

 

Tentative Timeline

A tentative timeline for the completion of deliverables is provided below. USIP will work with the selected proposer to finalize deliverables and deliverable due dates upon selection.

 

Deliverable

Estimated Due Date

Research Memorandum 1

February 15, 2024

Research Memorandum 2

March 15, 2024

Research Memorandum 3

April 15, 2024

Research Memorandum 4

May 15, 2024

 

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