Middle East Research Institute MERI

Middle East Research Institute MERI MERI is a think tank focused on policy issues relating to the Middle East. Inward investment is growing exponentially, proportional to the fast growing economy.

The Middle East is going through historic changes in its political, economic and social order. With Iraq and many other regional countries in turmoil, the Kurdistan Region is emerging as a fledgling democracy and promising economic player. The people, government and political institutions of the Kurdistan Region are ambitious, forward looking and increasingly internationalised. However, the system

of governance, public and private sectors and civil society remain in their infancy and are evolving with inadequate academic support. There is, therefore, an urgent need in Kurdistan, Iraq and the entire region for modern strategic research institutions, hence, the establishment of the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) in the capital of Kurdistan Region in 2014.

Check out this engaging discussion MERI held with the Dutch Ambassador to Iraq. "Iraq’s central challenge is therefore n...
22/07/2026

Check out this engaging discussion MERI held with the Dutch Ambassador to Iraq.

"Iraq’s central challenge is therefore not simply how to survive the next crisis, but whether it can build institutions strong enough to prevent recurring crises from defining its future. The country does not lack diagnosis; it lacks implementation, accountability, and leadership focused on citizens’ long-term interests."

مێری دیبەیتێکی سەرنج راکێشی ئەنجامدا لەگەڵ باڵیۆزی هۆڵەندا لە عێراق. درێژەی بابەت لەلینکی خوارەوەدایە.

"تەحەدای سەرەکی عێراق تەنها ئەوە نییە کە چۆن لە قەیرانی داهاتوو ڕزگاری بێت، بەڵکو ئەوەیە کە ئایا دەتوانێت دامەزراوەی بەهێز بنیات بنێت کە ڕێگری بکات لە دووبارەبوونەوەی قەیرانەکانی داهاتوو بۆ جێگیرکردنی پێکەی سیاسی خۆی لە داهاتوودا. هەڵبەتە کێشەی وڵاتەکە لە دەستنیشانکردندی کێشەكان نییە؛ بەڵام کێشە لە لاوازی ئاستی جێبەجێکردن و ئاستی لێپرسینەوە و سەرکردایەتیکردنە لەسەر بنەمای بەرژەوەندی درێژخایەنی هاوڵاتیان."

استضافت مؤسسة الشرق الأوسط للبحوث حوارًا سياسيًا مثيرًا للاهتمام مع
جانيت ألبردا، سفيرة هولندا لدى العراق

"التحدي الرئيسي الذي يواجه العراق لا يقتصر على كيفية النجاة من الأزمة" المقبلة فحسب، بل يتعدى ذلك إلى قدرته على بناء مؤسسات قوية بما يكفي لمنع الأزمات المتكررة من تحديد مستقبله. فالبلد لا يفتقر إلى تشخيص المشاكل، بل يفتقر إلى التطبيق والمساءلة والقيادة التي تركز على المصالح طويلة الأمد للمواطنين."

Iraq's central challenge is not managing crises, but building institutions strong enough to prevent them.

Call for Enumerators – MERI Data Collection RosterThe Middle East Research Institute (MERI) is seeking qualified and mot...
24/06/2026

Call for Enumerators – MERI Data Collection Roster
The Middle East Research Institute (MERI) is seeking qualified and motivated enumerators to join its data collection roster in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Selected enumerators will be contacted for paid, short-term, assignment-based work depending on project needs, location, language requirements, and availability.

Position Title: Enumerator – MERI Data Collection Roste
Locations:
• Erbil
• Slemani
• Duhok

Applicants must currently live in one of the target locations. MERI aims to select approximately 7–10 enumerators in each governorate.

Type of Engagement: Paid, short-term, assignment-based work.

Main Responsibilities
Selected enumerators may be asked to:
• Conduct face-to-face, phone-based, or digital surveys with respondents
• Collect accurate and complete data using digital tools such as Kobo, ODK, or similar platforms
• Follow sampling instructions and fieldwork protocols
• Explain the purpose of surveys clearly to respondents
• Obtain informed consent before conducting interviews
• Ensure confidentiality and ethical treatment of respondents
• Work professionally with diverse communities and households
• Report fieldwork challenges to supervisors in a timely manner
• Attend project-specific briefings or training sessions when required
• Submit completed forms according to project deadlines
Required Qualifications
Applicants should have:
• Current residence in Erbil, Slemani, or Duhok
• Good knowledge of the local area and communities in their governorate
• Fluency in Kurdish, and working knowledge of English and Arabic is an advantage.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to use smartphones, tablets, and digital data collection tools
• Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions accurately
• Availability for short-term data collection assignments
• Commitment to confidentiality, neutrality, and research ethics
• At least a university-level education or currently enrolled in university
Preferred Qualifications
Preference may be given to applicants who have:
• Previous experience as an enumerator, field researcher, or data collector
• Experience using Kobo, ODK, SurveyCTO, or similar platforms
• Experience conducting household surveys, public opinion surveys, or interviews
• Arabic and/or English language skills
• Experience working with NGOs, research institutions, or monitoring and evaluation projects
• Ability to work with diverse communities in a respectful and professional manner
Payment

This is a paid opportunity. Payment will be based on the nature, duration, and requirements of each assignment. Specific payment terms will be shared with selected enumerators before each data collection activity.

How to Apply:
Interested applicants should submit the following:
• Updated CV
• Governorate of residence
• Languages spoken
• Previous data collection or survey experience, if any
• Availability for short-term assignments
• Contact information

Applications should be sent to: [email protected]
Please use the following subject line:
Enumerator Roster – [Governorate]
For example:
Enumerator Roster – Erbil

Application Deadline
01 July 2026
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Selection for the roster does not guarantee immediate work, but selected enumerators may be contacted for future paid data collection assignments based on project needs.

About MERI:
The Middle East Research Institute (MERI) is an independent policy think tank based in Erbil. MERI conducts evidence-based research on governance, peacebuilding, conflict, social policy, public services, and institutional reform in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Address

Aram Village 1, Villa 108
Irbil
44001

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:30
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30
Thursday 09:00 - 17:30
Sunday 09:00 - 17:30

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