Senior Consultant, Urban Research on Informal Settlements - TJ / 1824972

Our client Islamic Relief Pakistan is looking for a Senior Consultant, Urban Research on Informal Settlements in Karachi, Peshawar Background:Pakistan’s rapid urbanization has led to the proliferation of informal settlements (slums/katchi abadis/underserved areas) in major cities, particularly Karachi and Peshawar. These areas are marked by insecure land tenure, weak governance, inadequate access to basic services (water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, and other CIVIC services), overcrowding, frequent flooding, and complex informal political economy arrangements. Karachi, as Pakistan’s largest megacity and economic hub, hosts an estimated 50% or more of its population (over 10–15 million people) in informal settlements, facing severe challenges including water scarcity dominated by tanker systems, poor drainage and sanitation, solid waste crises, informal service provision, and entrenched patronage networks. Peshawar and other surrounding cities like Haripur & Kohat contains significant informal settlements (estimates range from 15–70% of urban coverage, with Islamic Relief Pakistan identifying around 18 key areas), heavily influenced by Afghan refugees, internally displaced persons, host communities, urban flooding (e.g., Kabul River and Budhni Nullah overflow), and gaps in formal infrastructure and services. Islamic Relief Pakistan (IRP) is initiating a research and learning activity to generate robust, comparative, context-sensitive evidence from selected informal settlements in Karachi, Peshawar, Haripur, and Kohat. The findings will directly inform sustainable urban programming, focusing on improved WASH and CIVIC service delivery, social cohesion, livelihoods, flood and climate resilience, refugee-host integration (particularly in Peshawar), and evidence-based policy advocacy. The Senior Urban Informal Settlements Research Lead will provide overall technical leadership, methodological direction, and analytical oversight to ensure the research is rigorous, comparable across cities, ethically sound, and strategically relevant for programming and advocacy. Purpose of the Assignment:To Design And Lead a Rigorous, Mixed-method (primarily Qualitative With Participatory And Select Quantitative Elements) Research Initiative In Informal Settlements Of Karachi, Peshawar, Haripur, And KohatAnalyze existing systems for water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, and other CIVIC services.Examine political economy dynamics, informal governance structures, power relations, stakeholder interests, and barriers/enablers to equitable and sustainable service delivery.Document community-level financial practices, payment mechanisms, transparency, affordability, sustainability, and risks (e.g., elite capture, exclusion).Produce high-quality, analytically robust settlement profiles/case studies in Karachi and Peshawar, typologies, and strategic recommendations.Strengthen the research and analytical capacity of IRP field teams through structured training and mentoring.Generate actionable evidence to guide IRP programme design, implementation, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and urban resilience programming. Scope of Work Technical Responsibilities3.1 Research Design & MethodologyConduct comprehensive desk review of existing literature, IRP documents, and studies on informal settlements in Karachi and Peshawar.Develop a tailored mixed-method research framework, emphasizing qualitative, participatory, gender-sensitive, conflict-sensitive, and refugee/host-inclusive approaches.Design standardized yet adaptable data collection tools (interview guides, FGD protocols, observation checklists, community mapping, financial tracking instruments) to ensure cross-settlement and cross-city comparability.Integrate applied political economy analysis (PEA), governance and power mapping, service delivery systems assessment (WASH, solid waste, CIVIC), livelihoods/economic systems, financial/payment practices, spatial/social/institutional profiling, and flood/climate vulnerability considerations.Establish robust data validation, triangulation, quality assurance (QA) mechanisms, and ethical protocols (informed consent, confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding).3.2 Capacity StrengtheningDesign and deliver structured training modules for field teams on qualitative methods, ethical research practices, settlement-specific tools, and contextual sensitivities (e.g., refugee dynamics in Peshawar).Provide continuous mentoring and technical backstopping throughout fieldwork.3.3 Field-Based Research & OversightLead and oversee field-based data collection in selected informal settlements in Karachi and Peshawar.Conduct and/or supervise in-depth key informant interviews (community leaders, informal service providers, local government representatives, WASH committees, households, refugees/hosts in Peshawar).Facilitate focus group discussions, participant observation, community mapping, and stakeholder analysis.Map formal and informal governance structures, power relations, and relationships with authorities and political actors.3.4 Analytical Leadership & ReportingEnsure analytical depth beyond description: identify systemic constraints, governance bottlenecks, political economy dynamics, financial risks, flood vulnerabilities, and programmatic leverage points.Lead cross-domain and cross-city interpretation (governance, service delivery, livelihoods, social inclusion, spatial/flood risks).Prepare detailed settlement profiles/case studies for selected areas in both cities.Produce comparative analysis, typologies, and strategic insights across Karachi and Peshawar contexts. Operational & Organizational ResponsibilitiesDevelop Inception Report including methodology, tools, detailed workplan, timeline, and QA framework.Manage research schedule aligned with milestones and coordinate closely with Programme, MEAL, and field teams.Ensure full compliance with IRP organizational policies, safeguarding standards, and ethical guidelines.Align outputs with broader urban programming priorities and promote inclusive approaches (gender, youth, marginalized groups, refugee-host dynamics).Document lessons learned and contribute to institutional knowledge management. Key DeliverablesInception Report (within 1–2 weeks of contract start): research framework, methodology, workplan, tools, QA protocols.Training Materials & Capacity-Building Sessions Delivered (including validated data collection tools).Fieldwork Progress Updates (monthly or bi-weekly).Settlement Profiles / Case Studies (detailed documentation for selected settlements in Karachi, Peshawar, Haripur, Kohat).Draft Research Report (political economy analysis, governance mapping, financial systems assessment, key challenges and opportunities).Final Research Report (revised incorporating feedback; includes comparative analysis, typologies, practical recommendations).Cross-Settlement / Cross-City Synthesis Report & Lessons Learned Brief.Presentation of Findings (PowerPoint briefing / validation workshop for IRP management and technical teams).Payment Terms (Milestone-Based): Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and formal approval of deliverables by the Project Manager / Project Coordinator.Milestone-Deliverable-Payment % Approval of Inception Report (methodology, tools, workplan, QA framework) 30% Finalised data collection tools + training completion + fieldwork progress updates (mid-point) 20% Submission of Draft Research Report + Settlement Profiles (covering majority of settlements) 25% Approval of Final Research Report + Cross-City Synthesis + Lessons Learned Brief + Presentation of Findings 25%Total: 100%Payment ConditionsPayments subject to written approval of deliverables.Any required revisions to meet quality standards must be addressed prior to approval.Applicable taxes will be deducted as per prevailing laws. Duration and Level of EffortDuration: 3–6 months (as per project timeline).Level of effort: Full engagement during design, field oversight, analysis, and reporting phases. Extensive travel within Karachi and Peshawar including other target areas of KP required. Required Qualifications and Experience Essential Criteria (Mandatory)Master’s degree (PhD preferred) in Urban Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Anthropology, Sociology, Political Economy, Urban Governance, or closely related field.Minimum 7–10 years of professional experience in urban research, informal settlements/slums, qualitative and political economy analysis, service delivery (WASH/CIVIC), governance and financial systems assessment.Demonstrated first-hand experience working in Karachi’s informal settlements (essential); prior experience in Peshawar/KP highly advantageous.Proven expertise in designing and implementing qualitative/participatory mixed-method research, tool development, ethical protocols, and production of high-quality analytical reports for NGOs, donors or multilateral agencies.Strong understanding of urban and political contexts in Karachi and Peshawar (informal governance, service systems, flood risks, refugee/host dynamics).Excellent analytical writing, facilitation, and communication skills in English; fluency in Urdu (Pashto advantageous or ability to work effectively with interpreters).Proven ability to build trust with communities, work independently in complex field environments, and travel extensively.Desirable CriteriaExperience leading comparative multi-site research or capacity strengthening of field teams.Familiarity with IRP urban programming, donor-funded urban initiatives, or publishing on urban informality, tenure, or resilience.Proficiency in relevant tools (e.g., NVivo for qualitative analysis, GIS for spatial mapping).Experience in conflict-sensitive, refugee-inclusive, or flood-resilience focused research. Selection ProcessApplications will be evaluated based on depth of relevant experience in Karachi and Peshawar/Pakistan, quality of past analytical outputs, and demonstrated leadership in similar research initiatives. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their proposed workplan (including methodology, tools, timeline, and approach to city-specific challenges) in a formal presentation to the selection committee and programme team. The presentation will form an integral part of the final evaluation and selection decision. Reporting Line & Application ProcessThe Consultant will report directly to the Project Manager / Project Coordinator and coordinate closely with Programme, MEAL, and field teams at country and field level. All data, reports, and research outputs produced under this assignment remain the property of Islamic Relief Pakistan. The consultant shall not publish or share any materials without prior written consent.Application Process Interested candidates should submit: Updated CV, Cover letter highlighting relevant experience in Karachi and/or Peshawar informal settlements and sample of previous research work (analytical report or case study preferred) Financial proposalApplications should be submitted to: 10 DaysDeadline: rolling basisResponsibilities Develop Inception Report including methodology, tools, detailed workplan, timeline, and QA framework. Manage research schedule aligned with milestones and coordinate closely with Programme, MEAL, and field teams. Ensure full compliance with IRP organizational policies, safeguarding standards, and ethical guidelines. Align outputs with broader urban programming priorities and promote inclusive approaches (gender, youth, marginalized groups, refugee-host dynamics). Document lessons learned and contribute to institutional knowledge management.