Field Research Consultant

1.                       INTRODUCTION

This transdisciplinary research project focuses on the resilience of rural communities in Fergana Valley, where climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity pose challenges to household well-being and food security. The project aims to understand why some communities thrive while others become vulnerable in the face of these challenges. An interdisciplinary research team from the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), in collaboration with the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC), seeks to define and measure resilience, taking into account environmental, socioeconomic, and institutional factors, including the impact of climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity on agriculture-dependent regions.

Key research questions concern how natural and climatic shocks interact with social structures in rural communities, the role of local governance, social cohesion, cooperation, and mechanisms that enable adaptation. The project will also explore ways to enhance resilience in rapidly changing conditions.

To refine the measurement of resilience, the project team combines interdisciplinary scientific knowledge and mixed methods, drawing on existing household-level studies, expert interviews, climate analysis, and case studies in rural communities in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

2.                       SCOPE AND CONTENT OF SERVICES

CAREC consultants will support IAMO doctoral fieldwork during planned field visits from November 2026 to May 2027 (exact dates and villages to be agreed). The expert acts as a liaison between the researcher and the local community, ensuring high-quality collection of primary data and documentation of the work process.

The expert performs the following tasks:

1.         Accompaniment and Assistance: Fully accompanying the doctoral researcher from IAMO on all trips to villages to conduct group discussions, and field experiments.

2.         Provides language support to the IAMO doctoral researcher during group discussions and field experiments: Fluency in one or more local languages (Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Tajik) to communicate with villagers and take notes.

3.         Takes detailed structured notes during all briefings organized within field experiments with rural community members in selected communities.

4.         Conducts and takes detailed structured notes during all follow-up interviews with elderly or long-term residents (>70 years old) in the same communities using the providing topics.

5.         Makes visual documentation:

●              by photographing working materials (flip charts, maps, ranking matrices) and the meeting process itself (with participants’ consent);

●              filming video footage to prepare a final video report on the progress of the fieldwork;

6.         Analyzes and consolidates all collected notes from experiment briefings, participatory group discussions, and interviews with elderly or long-term residents into a final report in Russian/English language following the provided template.

3. EXPECTED RESULTS (DELIVERABLES)

1.         Media archive: A collection of photographs documenting the work process and key results (flipcharts, tables). A short video clip demonstrating the main stages of fieldwork and interaction with communities.

2.         Final report in Russian/English “Major economic, political, social and environmental/climatic shocks and responses” has been prepared and submitted to the IAMO project coordinator, following the template provided by IAMO.

4. CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

-          Degree in a relevant field, such as environmental sciences, water resources management, social sciences, development studies, anthropology, sociology or related disciplines;

-          Fluency in Russian or/and English, and one or more local languages (Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Tajik) is required;

-          Good knowledge of the Central Asian region and of political and institutional processes related to water and climate in Central Asian countries;

-          Experience working in rural areas, understanding of the cultural norms and traditions of local communities;

-          Ability to keep accurate and clear records, as well as basic photography and videography skills;

-          Strong analytical and writing skills in English and/or Russian language: Ability to work with large volumes of high-quality information, identify trends in respondents’ answers, and organize data into categories (shocks, impacts, responses).

The expert works under the direct supervision of the IAMO’s doctoral researcher and in close contact with the project coordinators from IAMO, and CAREC representatives. All necessary templates for note-taking, interview protocols and for the final report will be provided by the project team.

Application Process

1.       Send an email to: i.yugay@carececo.org with a copy to: f.dussekenov@carececo.org by November 01, 2026;

2.       Email subject line: Field Research Consultant – Full Name.

3.       Attachments:

o         CV in English, including a list of references

o         One English publication such as reports, book chapters, journal articles;

o         A brief cover letter (maximum 300 words) in Russian or English;

o         Other documents providing evidence of relevant experience, knowledge and skills (optional).

Note to Applicants

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to the online interview.