Network mapping and engagement exercise for innovation project “TheoTech”

1. General information

Requested services: Consultancy for conducting a network mapping of faith-based opinion leaders with a high profile on social media and with a relevant impact on Lebanese youth (13 – 29 yrs) using online research methods as well as in-person meetings, leading to establishment of a database. The mapping should be followed by an engagement exercise, contacting the most relevant actors, introducing the project, and procuring their cooperation for content creation for an  online platform. The engagement exercise shall be conducted online and through in-person meetings, with results summarised in an engagement report. Mapping and engagement exercise shall be preceded by a short (1-2 page) inception report outlining methods and starting points.

Starting date:                                  ASAP

End date:                                          22 September 2021

Time frame:                                     A total of 20 days  

Location:                                           Lebanon-based

Expected places of travel:            online, with in-person meetings in Lebanon as needed and feasible

2. Background and motivation

Danmission is a Danish INGO working in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Denmark in the thematic areas of faith-inspired social action, interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding, and natural resource sustainability and justice.  

The TheoTech initiative focuses on using technology to reach Lebanese youth between 13 and 29 years old with content that promotes hope, resilience, social cohesion and mental health using innovative tools.

The project at hand is a pilot initiative and will span 5 months with the aim of enabling Danmission to map young religious actors online and build a small network of actors from different religions and affiliations in Lebanon including but not limited to Roman Catholic, Greek and Oriental Orthodox, Maronite, Sunni, Shia, Druze, and Protestant.

3. Scope of Work

The consultancy will be initiated asap and finalized by 23 Aug 2021. The consultancy work will consist of 5 components (20 days total)

1. 1. Desk review of project documentation, kick-off meeting with DM advisor, small (approx. 2-page) inception report. (3 days)
   2. Mapping and database exercise (online, with in-person meetings and phone calls as needed) (10 days)
   3. Mid-term meeting with DM (1/2 day)
   4. Engagement exercise, followed by short report (approx. 5-page) identifying key actors and recommendations for sustainable engagement (6 days)
   5. Results presentation (1/2 day)

4. Elaboration of the five components 

The focus of this consultancy lies in the database building (component 2) and engagement and activation of the network (component 4) for the purpose of the project. The database shall be assembled as Excel or similar in coordination with DM advisor. The engagement exercise shall be coordinated with DM advisor. Focussing on components 2 and 4, supporting report and results presentation can be kept to a strict minimum. The existing DM network can serve as a vantage point for mapping and engagement, proceeding in a snowballing logic, but it is expected that the mapping will go beyond the existing network of DM, particularly identifying individuals and groups with high Social Media impact. Actors shall be identified, among other factors, by their online impact on the target group.

5. Competences, Requirements:

Profile:

• University degree, preferably in related fields (media sciences, development studies, social sciences, religious sciences or similar)
• Proven experience in
  • Social media engagement, including basic grasp of impact metrics
  • Religious youth movements of more than one religious' group
• Excellent oral proficiency in Arabic, English and online-typical mixed forms
• Good writing skills in English
• Sympathy for Danmission’s mission as faith-based, ecumenically, and inter-religiously minded organization

Application:

• Please send your written proposal including the proposed budget Ekkardt Sonntag, eso@danmission.dk
• Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; the final deadline is 15. August 2021, 23:59 Lebanese time
• Please supply a CV, cover letter outlining your interest and qualification, simple activity plan and proposed budget.