Location: The Asfari Institute for Civil Society & Citizenship, American University of Beirut (AUB), Beirut, Lebanon

Title: Research Assistant/Project Coordinator

Job Type: Full-time

Duration: 1 year, renewable based on performance and funding availability

Remuneration: AUB rates

The Asfari Institute for Civil Society & Citizenship at the American University of Beirut works at the intersection of research, public engagement, and social change. It produces knowledge on civic life, collective action, and political participation, while creating spaces for dialogue, learning, and collaboration among researchers, activists, practitioners, and communities in Lebanon and the Arab region.

The Asfari Institute is seeking a Research Assistant/Project Coordinator to support the implementation of a multi-year regional research project in the SWANA/MENA region. The project combines research and knowledge production with policy engagement, capacity building, regional collaboration, and stakeholder convening.

The position combines research assistance and project coordination and requires strong research, organizational, communication, and project management skills. The successful candidate will work closely with researchers, civil society organizations, academic institutions, policy actors, and regional and international partners to support the effective and timely implementation of project activities and outputs. 

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the research project, ensuring that activities, milestones, and deliverables are completed according to agreed workplans and timelines.
• Develop, maintain, and regularly update project workplans, timelines, deliverable trackers, and related project documentation.
• Support the design and implementation of research activities, including literature reviews, desk research, fieldwork coordination, data collection, data management, and analysis.
• Coordinate research activities across different countries and thematic areas and follow up with researchers, consultants, and partners on agreed deliverables.
• Support the development and production of research reports, policy briefs, comparative studies, and other knowledge and policy-oriented outputs.
• Coordinate consultations, workshops, policy dialogues, capacity-building activities, conferences, and regional and international exchanges.
• Liaise and maintain regular communication with researchers, civil society organizations, academic institutions, policy actors, and regional and international partners.
• Support the development and maintenance of project knowledge resources, databases, and documentation.
• Coordinate project logistics, including travel arrangements, venue bookings, procurement, contracts, and other administrative requirements in coordination with relevant AUB offices.
• Support project communications and the dissemination of research findings and other outputs to relevant audiences.
• Contribute to narrative and progress reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and the documentation of project activities, outputs, and outcomes.
• Support the development of regional networks and collaborative research and policy initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, political science, sociology, anthropology, public policy, international relations, gender studies, development studies, or a related field. A Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in research, project coordination, research management, or a related role.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or coordinating research projects, preferably involving multiple partners or countries.
• Strong research skills, including experience with literature reviews, qualitative and/or quantitative research, data collection, analysis, and research documentation.
• Strong project coordination and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple activities, deliverables, and deadlines.
• Experience coordinating with researchers, consultants, civil society organizations, academic institutions, or other stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with the socio-political context of Lebanon and the SWANA/MENA region.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with project management and collaborative work tools.
• Oral and written proficiency in Arabic and English. French is considered an asset.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively within a small team and with diverse regional and international partners.

Type of Contract
This is a full-time Research Assistant position based in person at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society & Citizenship at the American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. The position follows AUB’s standard full-time working hours and requires regular on-campus presence. The appointment will be for a term of up to one year, renewable based on performance, operational needs, and availability of funding, in line with AUB’s Research Assistant policy and applicable University procedures.

How to apply

To apply for this role at the Asfari Institute, please provide the following documents in PDF format and include your full name in the document name:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter
• Two references

Application Deadline: September 3, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

For inquiries, please contact us at asfariinst@aub.edu.lb.

Kindly note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Within the framework of Lebanese Law, the American University of Beirut is an equal-opportunity employer. This position is based in Beirut, Lebanon. Candidates are expected to be eligible to work and live in Lebanon.