Lettertext

Planning from the Future Research Project

Terms of Reference: Research Assistant for Humanitarian Technology

Research Team: Dan Maxwell, Research Director and Antonio Donini, Visiting Fellow

RA Reports to: Dan Maxwell

Program Overview: Kings College/London (KCL), the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the Feinstein International Center (FIC) are partnering on a new research initiative that looks at the current humanitarian system, its deficiencies and strengths and how it might be reformed to be more fit for purpose both in the short term and over a 10 to 15-year horizon. One significant component of this Planning from the Future Project (PFF) is a review of technological “game changers”

Research Assistant Activities: Conduct a rapid literature search and review, highlighting these areas:

· Cash (and support programs like Kache); Hawalas, mpesa or e-money transfer systems, etc;

· ODK, KOBO and digital data collection, entry, and analysis platforms;

· ICT/ comms;

· Crisis-mapping and crowd sourcing information;

· Dashboards and data amalgamation/analysis platforms;

· Drones; satellite remote sensing, etc.

· “Big data” ( and protecting personal ID and personal data);

· mFieldwork;

· Etc.

Sources: Patrick Meier’s book, OCHA report, specific reports on the above, other to be searched

Output: An annotated bibliography of the key documentation, and a 3-4 page bare-bones set of bullet points about the key technological “game changers” in humanitarian action, their applications and implications (both positive and negative)

Compensation: $20/hour

Qualifications: The Research Assistant should have the following qualifications:

· Strong research skills, including the ability to quickly search and summarize diverse literature

· Writing ability (demonstrate previous lit reviews)

· Knowledge of humanitarian technologies

· Availability to begin work immediately, and to contribute 50 hours of effort by middle of November (15-20 hours/ week)

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