• What are the historic and emergent political, economic, and socio-cultural contexts of each state?
• What are the significant risks for conflict and trends around political violence (including group-targeted violence, and election or partisan violence)? Which areas (counties, municipalities, cities) are the most likely sites for political violence in the state?
• Who are the key conflict actors, including actors or groups who are likely to initiate or condone acts of political violence as well as actors and groups (especially non-governmental actors such as community structures, civil society groups, leaders, etc.) who can or already act to mitigate risks for political violence? In which areas (counties, municipalities, cities) are these actors based or mobilized from?
• What opportunities exist within each state to strengthen resilience to political violence? (Resilience is defined as: local abilities or potential to prepare for anticipated political polarization and violence, adapt to changing political conditions while maintaining community bonds, and lead communities to healing following harmful incidents.)

In collaboration with the project team, the consultant will:

• Assess what data:
• already exists and can be accessed through a desk review; 
• must be collected, how, and with what tools; 
• What indicators can answer the primary research questions? 
• Conduct a desk review and analysis of available, relevant quantitative and qualitative data;
• Design an analysis framework.
• Complete the reports listed below, and
• Attend regular check-in meetings with project staff.

Deliverables will include:

• An inception report that reflects anticipated methodology for how the consultant can answer primary research questions through desk research (including key sources, timeline, and in-state areas of concern) and what data requires additional inquiry;
• Based on desk research of available data, a detailed conflict analysis for each state that includes:
• Significant dynamics of conflict, including risks for and trends around political violence, in each target state;
• Areas (counties, municipalities, cities) in target states that are most at risk;
• Key conflict actors, including actors or groups who are likely to initiate or condone acts of political violence, as well as actors and groups who can or already act to prevent or respond to political and electoral violence; and
• Any gaps or areas for further investigation 
• Based on further investigation identified through Desk Research and in collaboration with CG-USA and other members of the project team, identify gaps and remaining data needs, as well as recommendations for future in-state study. 


All original data should be submitted to the project team.

Geographic Locations

• The consultant must be US based. This research role will be remote. 

Logistical Support

• The consultant (s) will be responsible for organizing their own logistics and research costs; these costs must be reasonably budgeted for in the proposal. A CG-USA staff member will serve as the point of contact and manager for this assessment. 


• Additionally, the Resilient States Project team will share background materials, including survey data, comparative state desk reviews, and other relevant insights from the Resilient States Project.

Timeline

• The contract will span August-September 2025. Candidates should include their anticipated level of effort in their proposal. 

Budget

• Candidates are encouraged to submit a budget based on deliverables or a proposed daily/hourly rate (with estimated total level of effort) as part of their application.

Required qualifications:

• More than five years of experience in a combination of the following areas is required:
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas of study: political violence, conflict dynamics, and related socio-political issues in the United States.
• Demonstrated strong quantitative and qualitative research and analytical skills.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and individuals, including across political differences.
• Familiarity with relevant US data sets. 
• Experience with threat assessments. 
• Strong project management skills.

Desirable qualifications

• Strong candidates will also possess the following qualities: more than eight years of experience, specifically in analysis within the fields of political violence prevention, peacebuilding, democracy/governance, or the non-profit sector.
• In addition, the consultant is required to respect the following Ethical Principles:
• Comprehensive and systematic inquiry: The Consultant should utilize the existing information and the full range of stakeholders available at the time of the review. Consultants should conduct systematic, data-based inquiries. They should clearly and in sufficient detail communicate their methods and approaches to enable others to understand, interpret, and critique their work. They should make clear the limitations of the review and its results.
• Competence: A Consultant should possess the abilities, skills, and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of their professional training and competence.
• Honesty and integrity: Consultants should be transparent about any conflict of interest, any changes made to the negotiated project plan and the reasons for those changes, and any risk that certain procedures or activities may produce misleading review information.
• Respect: Consultants should respect the security, dignity, and self-worth of program participants. The consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences among participants in terms of culture, religion, gender, disability, age, and ethnicity.

Selection Criteria

• Consultants should include a proposal for review. Consultant proposals will be selected for:
• Relevance of their expression of interests as it relates to the applicant’s ability to meet the goal, objectives, and research questions for the assessment;
• Qualifications; and
• Proposed budget in relation to proposed methodology and deliverables.