Research Associate – International Consultancy

About the role

The Research Associate will join the Relief and Social Services Department of UNRWA in Amman, supporting the Camp Origins Project – a key component of the Archive Initiative that documents the establishment of recognized Palestinian refugee camps. The role involves conducting archival research, preparing material for legal clearance, and producing evidence‑based written profiles for internal and external use.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute search strategies across UNRWA’s digitised archives for each camp, using historical name variants and transliterations.
• Retrieve, compile and catalogue archival documents related to camp establishment (site agreements, population records, health surveys, education records, correspondence, etc.).
• Maintain detailed search logs, including nil returns, and document research decisions and methods.
• Assess relevance of records, distinguish establishment material from later operational data, and apply approved redactions.
• Draft concise narrative profiles for each camp, ensuring all statements are traceable to cleared sources and noting evidential gaps.
• Contribute to comparative synthesis across historical periods and support progress reporting.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master’s) in history, archival studies, library and information science, Middle‑East studies, political science or a related field (or a first‑level degree plus two years relevant experience).
• Minimum two years of experience conducting primary‑source or archival research, including source relevance assessment.
• At least one year of international experience relevant to the role.
• Strong analytical and writing skills with attention to detail.

Required skills

• Archival research methodology
• Document management and cataloguing
• Legal clearance and redaction processes
• Proficiency in drafting evidence‑based reports

What we offer

• 12‑month contract, renewable based on performance and funding.
• Opportunity to contribute to a high‑impact historical documentation project.
• Professional development within an international humanitarian organization.