Oral History Report Writer

During these sessions, numerous personal stories, testimonies, and narratives are emerging that hold cultural, historical, and social value. To preserve these narratives for future generations, we seek the services of a qualified consultant to document them as an oral history in a structured, ethical, and culturally sensitive manner.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

The main objective of the consultancy is to collect, document, and compile the oral histories emerging from the project’s community sessions into a coherent written record that reflects the authenticity, voices, and lived experiences of the participants.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for:

1. Preparation & Methodology
   • Develop an oral history documentation plan, including approach, ethical guidelines, and consent protocols.
   • Coordinate with project staff to understand the thematic focus of each group and session.
2. Data Collection
   • Attend and observe the sessions (in person or via recordings where applicable) in Shouf, Damour, Beirut, and Baalbek.
   • Conduct follow-up interviews with selected participants (if required) to ensure accuracy and depth.
   • Ensure informed consent is obtained for every story recorded.
3. Documentation & Writing
   • Transcribe and translate (if needed) oral testimonies into clear written form.
   • Maintain the integrity, cultural context, and tone of the narrators’ voices.
   • Compile stories in a structured format that aligns with the project’s objectives.
4. Compilation of the Final Oral History Record
   • Organize collected stories by location, theme, and/or chronology.
   • Include brief contextual introductions for each section.
   • Ensure language is accessible while maintaining narrative authenticity.

4. Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver:

1. Inception Report – Detailing methodology, workplan, and ethical considerations (within the first week of engagement).
2. Session-based Story Documentation – Written documentation of stories from each of the 7 groups.
3. Final Oral History Document – A complete, edited, and compiled written record (in [language(s) agreed upon]) that integrates all collected narratives, ready for publication or archiving.
4. Summary Report – Outlining process, challenges, and recommendations for future oral history initiatives.

5. Duration & Level of Effort

Duration: [2–3 months]

6. Qualifications

The ideal consultant should have:

• Proven experience in oral history, qualitative research, or ethnographic documentation.
• Excellent writing skills in [Arabic and English].
• Strong listening and interviewing skills, with cultural sensitivity and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of Lebanon’s socio-cultural context, especially in the targeted areas.
• Commitment to ethical standards and informed consent procedures.

7. Reporting & Coordination

The consultant will report to [Project Manager] and will coordinate closely with field facilitators and the project’s communications/documentation team.

8. Ethical Considerations

• All participants’ stories will be documented only after informed consent is obtained.
• Sensitive information will be anonymized if requested by the narrator.
• The consultant must respect the privacy, cultural norms, and dignity of all participants.