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For many years, humanitarian organizations have responded to crisis by delivering services to save lives, prevent and alleviate suffering and protect life and health of people affected by natural hazards, conflict, political collapse, forced displacement, among others. In recent years, through a multitude of factors and trends, the centralist and exceptionalist approach to humanitarian action is giving way to more localized responses that seek to bridge humanitarian action with development, peacebuilding and disaster risk reduction. Whereas this leads to increasing variations in humanitarian governance, important questions remain about the ways in which affected population seek a voice in the response through accountability and advocacy. Other questions concern how humanitarian action deals with the blurred boundaries between people affected by crisis and those in otherwise extreme vulnerable conditions, and how to deal with the growing numbers people whose displacement is climate related.

The Humanitarian Governance research project, and the researchers that are part of this team, will contribute to understanding the way humanitarian governance is developing, with a special eye for the views and influence of affected populations and civil society actors.

As a secondary objective, the project aims to contribute to a transformation of humanitarian studies towards more equal partnership and by employing more participatory research methodologies. The project will contribute to building a methodological repertoire of interactive research ‘from below’ in rapidly changing risky and unstable contexts.

Postdoc: alternative ethics and new forms of advocacy in humanitarian action (1,0 position, 2 years)

This Postdoc for two years will be responsible, together with the programme coordinator to develop the theoretical foundations on the country studies in relation to alternative humanitarian ethics and new forms of advocacy.

The research into ethics and advocacy will be designed by the Post-doc and comprise:

• A systematic literature review, including grey literature;
• International stakeholder interviews or survey;
• Limited periods of fieldwork in DRC, Ethiopia, Colombia, or a country to be selected are optional.

Expected outcomes:

• At least three journal articles, possibly co-authored with selected team members;
• Contributions to international events;
• Production of research briefs, blogs and other forms of research communication;
• A special issue or edited volume can be considered.

The successful candidates will be part of the research team of humanitarian governance, and expected to contribute to:

• Developing interactive methodologies that iteratively converse with a network or ‘observatory’ that will contribute by giving feedback to the analysis of the research process and their findings;
• A collaborative team that shares resources, helps each other, and enjoys pushing the boundaries of theory and methodology in the field of humanitarian studies;
• Contributes through a variety of ways to networking and development of outcomes for policy and practice to enhance the research uptake of the programme.

• A completed PhD in social sciences, humanitarian studies, or development studies;
• Evidence of a track record or working in the field of humanitarian action, advocacy and/ or research in this domain;
• Proven knowledge on main subjects relevant to the project.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

An internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with good working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

The start date of this position is as soon as possible, and you will be based at The International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague. The successful candidate will be offered a temporary fulltime contract for two years, at the level of Post-doc with Erasmus University Rotterdam.

In accordance with the conditions applied at Erasmus University Rotterdam as indicated in the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO NU) of the Dutch universities, the salary is dependent on the candidate’s experience and is set at a maximum of CAO NU scale 11 with a minimum of € 3.746, - and a maximum of € 5.127,- gross per month, on a fulltime basis. In addition, EUR pays an 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year payment of 8.3% and offers excellent secondary benefits, like a very generous leave scheme. Furthermore, EUR is affiliated with ABP for the pension provision, and we offer partially paid parental leave. Employees can also use EUR facilities, such as the Erasmus sports center and the University library.

EUR offers a Dual Career Programme (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on pay-roll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research. Inspired by the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam, our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global social challenges. Our mission is therefore "Creating positive societal impact". Our academic education is intensive, active and application oriented. Our research increasingly takes place in multidisciplinary teams, which are strongly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and thanks to the high quality of education, EUR ranks amongst the top European universities. Erasmian values ​​function as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognizable to the outside world: engaged with society, world citizen, connecting, entrepreneurial and open-minded. 

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)Opens external is a leading academic center for international development studies. While based in The Hague, the ISS is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. ISS was established in 1952 as a post-graduate institute of policy-oriented critical social science and development-oriented research. ISS brings together a highly diverse international community of scholars and students from both the global South and the global North, on average originating from over 50 different countries. The Institute brings together people, ideas and insights in a multi-disciplinary setting which nurtures, fosters and promotes critical thinking and innovative research on fundamental social problems. The strong partnerships with organizations and individuals in developing countries make up a vibrant network where we co-create knowledge so that teaching and research remain socially relevant. Key to the ISS philosophy and practices is the wish to contribute to achieving social justice and equity on a global level.

Dorothea HilhorstOpens external, professor of humanitarian studies of ISS has started a 5 year programme, financed by an advanced grant of the European Research Council, to implement the research project ‘Humanitarian governance: accountability, advocacy alternatives’. The project aims to develop a localized humanitarian studies program to understand ongoing changes in humanitarian governance and to explore and advance the spaces and strategies that have opened up for reform ‘from below’. As part of this research project, ISS is looking for a Postdoc for two years to develop the theoretical foundations on the country studies in relation to alternative humanitarian ethics and new forms of advocacy.