Writing reports and analysing figures and trends is part of the job as a Research Officer in the TIPH. Research Officer Axel Nyström from Sweden provides the mission with analysis and research on topics relevant to the mission.

The three Research Officers in the TIPH are responsible for accumulating statistical information on incidents taking place in Hebron, as well as writing analytical reports.

Report to the parties

Fortnightly and quarterly periodic reports are submitted to both the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities and the six member countries of the TIPH.

— The writing of reports is an essential part of TIPHs work. As a research officer I have a very good overview, I am reading everything we are issuing and I am taking part in the analysis of our reports. While working on a report, I am in touch with all divisions of the TIPH, and at times external resources and expertise are consulted as well, Axel says.

While fortnightly reports compile information from incident reports over a period of two weeks, the periodic reports analyses the developments observed during the last three months. In the periodic reports the TIPH also provide both the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities with recommendations.

None of the TIPH’s reports are public; the fortnightly and the periodic reports are shared with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities and the six contributing countries. The incident reports are shared with the involved parties.

Comparative advantage

With five months of experience in the field as an Arabic speaking observer, Axel has a good knowledge of the present situation in Hebron. The work as a Research Officer gives him new opportunities to gain additional knowledge of the context he is working in.

After more than a decade of continuous presence of observers in the field, the mission has an advantage in enjoying direct access to the population. Hence, research is both conducted by gathering first hand information by the observers, as well as consulting secondary sources.

Special reports

Apart from the fortnightly and quarterly reports TIPH is producing reports on special topics related to the situation in Hebron.

—It is a rewarding and important job and it gives us a chance to analyse a special topic.              

Analysing facts on the ground

The Research Office is a key function within the TIPH, both as an internal resource and towards the member countries. Being in Hebron for many years, the TIPH has gained comprehensive knowledge of the conflict. As the researchers are located in the field, they can more efficiently extract information directly.