Consultancy-Gender Sensitive Public Communication Project

We are Searchers.  We are over 600 strong worldwide. We believe in our mission to end violent conflict.   It’s our purpose- our call to action.  A Searcher understands our vision of a world where: Differences stimulate social progress, rather than precipitate violence Respect for and cooperation with those we disagree with is considered the norm A Searcher is a dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate individual, committed to our values.Shared Humanity. Empathy. Impartiality.  Inclusivity. Courage.  Hope. Humility. Audacity. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, we implement projects from 55 offices in 34 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. You will be joining other highly motivated Searchers with a good team spirit and through commitment and dedication, have opportunities to grow. We are searching for…A consultant to support in implementing a 10-month project scheduled to conclude in the run-up to parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2018. The overall goal of the project is to promote women’s participation in politics through television drama more specifically to:1) Strengthen the capacity of television professionals to produce gender sensitive programmes that promote women’s participation in politics. 2) Increase belief of television audiences in women’s political leadership capacity Your contribution The roles and responsibilities include: 1. The Baseline Assessment   a. Assessment’s Objectives The intended evaluation is a baseline study to establish initial understanding of project context in Lebanon .The findings will be used as points of reference to measure the impact of the project and track its progress over time. Moreover, the baseline study will seek to inform the design of the television series, the selection of characters and the shaping of events in order to ensure maximum resonance with the Lebanese audience. The study will also help tailor activities to be context specific, by improving the understanding around the dynamics within the local communities and the perceptions of those targeted by the project. More specifically the baseline study will seek to answer the below lines of inquiry: • What are the current perceptions and attitudes of TV professionals towards women empowerment and women participation in politics? • What are the capacities and limitations of TV professionals towards producing gender sensitive programs specially those promoting women participation in politics?• What are the current views of the Lebanese audience around women empowerment, especially women participation in politics disaggregated by age, gender and level of education?• From the perspectives of the Lebanese audience what are the barriers preventing women from participating in politics and assuming leadership roles?  • What is the current level of interest of the Lebanese audiences in gender sensitive programs disaggregated by age, gender and level of education?• Practical recommendations for the selection of characters and shaping of events so that the TV series is realistic and resonates well with the Lebanese audience. b. Audience The primary audience of the Baseline Assessment will be Search and the peace building community at large. Recommendations should emerge from the study to inform the project and project activities.  The secondary audience will be the donor, British Embassy, which will use the findings and recommendations to strengthen its current and future programming. c. Methodology  ApproachThe Search approach to evaluation is grounded in the guiding principles of our work: participatory, culturally sensitive, committed to building capacity, affirming and positive while honest and productively critical, and valuing knowledge and approaches from within the context. Search and the hired evaluator will agree upon a joint set of evaluation standards when negotiating the final contract of agreement. The below principles should be taken into account:  Inclusiveness—the methodology should include a wide range of viewpoints, specifically gender and age-sensitivity when applicable. • Mixed-method approaches—both qualitative and quantitative methods need to be present in the methodology. • Rigor of evidence—gathered information needs to be reliable and transparent • Ethics—the methodology needs to consider ethics in order to insure that the evaluation is fully objective. Methodology & Scope of Evaluation: The evaluation will investigate two principal target groups: TV professionals as well as the Lebanese audience. The evaluation sample size should be adequate and representative of the target groups. In addition the evaluation should employ both quantitative and qualitative participatory methods to establish the project baseline.  It will draw on the following sources: • Desk study review: It is important to review project documents, logical framework and other relevant sources of data to complete the assessment.• Key informant interviews: Interviews will be conducted to gather in depth information on key questions. The key informants could include TV professionals, community leaders, CSOs and others as appropriate. • Focus group discussions with the Lebanese audience, to include: men women, youths to gather in depth information regarding the key questions described above. • Community Surveys: Surveys should be distributed to members of the community including men, women, and youth groups and others as appropriate to collect numerical information related to the study’s key questions. 2. Implementation Information a. Evaluation Team The consultant will work closely with Search Lebanon DM&E and Learning Manager who will be ensuring that all milestones are met. She will also act as focal point on all issues including logistics and will sign off on the final papers in consultation with the MENA Regional DME Specialist and with the final approval of the Lebanon Country Director. b. Deliverables • Within seven days from signing the contract, the consultant should submit an Inception report, which clearly defines the evaluation methodology, such as clear outlines for the focus group discussions, KII questions, survey questionnaires and research timeline with specific deadlines for each deliverable. The inception report should also clearly explain the sampling methodology and sample size for the quantitative survey and a clear and logical number for the KIIs. The inception report and the data collection tools need formal approval from Search before starting the data collection in the field. • A draft Baseline Assessment report to be submitted within 15 days of completion of the data collection for review and comments from Search country team and the Regional DMEL specialist. The review and feedback of the report could be more than one round depending on the quality of the report and the extent to which the comments and suggestions from first round have been incorporated.  • A Final Baseline Assessment to be submitted after incorporating the comments of Search. The report should be written in English, 30-35 pages excluding annexes, consisting of: - Cover page, Search will provide sample cover sheet for reference - Table of contents, list of acronyms, abbreviations and list of tables and charts.  - Executive summary of key findings and recommendations – 3-4 pages- Background information and context analysis presented per key criteria with a brief description - Baseline methodology with clear explanation of sampling and limitations, KIIs, participants’ selection and data analysis approach. - Research findings, analysis, with associated data presented, where appropriate in clear graphs or charts. The findings can include subsections for each research criteria.- Conclusion and Recommendations for future project implementation. - The recommendations should be framed according to each evaluation criteria. - Appendices should include collected data, detailed description of the methodology with research instruments, list of interviewees. • Once the draft is submitted and reviewed, Search may decide based on the quality of the draft whether the consultant may be required to revise the draft, working closely with Search DM&E manager as necessary. • The report should be submitted electronically in a MS – Word document. The consultant is responsible for English editing of the final report which should be well formatted. The report will be credited to the evaluator and potentially placed in the public domain at the decision of Search. • All handwritten and electronic transcripts of interviews and KIIs, hard copies of survey questionnaires, photographs taken during the assessment and any equipment received from Search for the purpose of the study should be submitted to Search. Furthermore all information generated during the baseline study will be the sole property of Search and is subject to submission to Search along with the final report, prior to the end of the contract. 3. Deadlines • Consultant recruitment deadline: October 28, 2017• Deadline for finalising the data collection tools: November 12, 2017• Deadline for finalising data collection: November 26, 2017• Deadline for the draft report: December 3, 2017• Deadline for the final deliverables: December 17, 2017 4. Logistical Support Search Lebanon will provide the consultant with logistical support through:• Ensuring that the consultant receives key documents in a timely manner• Helping to set up the data collection needed arrangements• Arranging meetings with the project team and key staff• Providing administrative support such as photocopying, fax machines, and office space You are…You meet the following qualifications: Consultant’s Qualifications Search Lebanon seeks an experienced consultant with the following qualifications:• Proficiency in Arabic and English.• Solid understanding of the Lebanese social and political contexts.• More than 5 years of experience in Media monitoring, marketing research or equivalent project evaluation and baseline expertise, including collecting and analysing data from interviews, surveys, FGDs, etc.• Experience in working with international organisations• Strong communication and writing skills• Experience working with youth empowerment programming in the region• Research and evaluation methods and data collection skills • Ability to be flexible with time and work schedule• Attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines• Conflict resolution/peace building experience. BudgetThe budget allocated for the baseline study is up to 19,500 USD.  Due to costs and project constraints the methodology may be adapted to fit local budget needs, provided that all evaluation questions are covered adequately.