Request For Proposal-Public Opinion Research In Lebanon

  Request for Proposal Public Opinion Research in Lebanon   BACKGROUND The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections is a Civil Society Organization that advocates for a citizenship based on transparency, responsibility and accountability. It has been working since 1996 to reinforce democratic processes in Lebanon and build a democratic society. According to the Lebanese’s municipal law (Decree-law no. 118 Dated 30/6/1977 & its amendments), municipal council mandates are 6 years thus municipal elections should be held in May 2016. This level of government plays a central role in the provision of services to Lebanese citizens and refugee populations affected by the crisis in neighboring Syria. While public debate has yet to begin on the likelihood of these elections going forward, some political preparations at the local level are underway, despite lack of clear progress at the level of the parliament regarding potential electoral reform. In order to sharpen its advocacy strategy and to provide the leaders of Lebanon’s government, political parties, and civil society organizations (CSOs) with accurate and objective information regarding citizen expectations, the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) seek to hire an opinion research firm to conduct a survey within the country. One nationwide survey would be conducted to identify and analyze the policy and public service concerns of citizens, their opinions about the performance and direction of municipal councils in local governance, and their expectations for elections slated for May 2016. This information would help LADE and its partners to develop strategies for policymaking based on those findings, and to build or refine outreach and communications strategies to better engage citizens about identified policy needs.   Specific Objectives of the survey: Measure the public’s knowledge about the municipality’s role and the municipal mayor’s powers. Measure the public’s content with the performance of the Municipal Council (especially its performance in the refugees, environment, and other fields). Measure the public’s diagnostic of their town’s problems (what are the things they consider important etc.). Measure the public's perception of their current municipality and its role (with a question about its achievements of the past six years). Measure the importance of the municipal elections to the public and identifying the reasons behind the importance or non-importance of these elections. Measure the impact of the absence of municipalities as institutions on the lives of the citizens from the standpoint of these citizens. Measure the extent to which the public participate in the municipal work (attending meetings, participating in committee, etc…) Measure the public’s level of political activism (to compare the results with that of the last poll). Know the opinion of the public concerning the current municipal electoral system. Know the priorities of the citizens and measuring their confidence in the state’s institutions (to compare the results with that of the last poll).   TIMELINE This request for proposals indicates LADE’s intention to contract with an opinion research firm to conduct a nationwide survey in Lebanon. This contract is expected to last from approximately August 1 – October 15th, 2015.   DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES REQUIRED One (1) nationwide survey, targeting approximately 2,500 respondents during August and September, using face-to-face methodology based on a random representative sample. The Opinion poll shall be conducted in all the Mohafazat and Qada, based on a stratified and inclusive sample of 2500 persons. It targets Lebanese people older than 18 years old, including regions, confessions, ages, gender, political affiliation and socio-economic backgrounds. LADE will use this research to help Lebanese stakeholders identify issues about which citizens are most concerned, develop a strategic communication plan along with election-related CSOs, craft and test messages to better communicate with citizens, and assist with policy discussions regarding municipal elections. This research will allow LADE to identify and track changes in voter attitudes and will be used to provide government officials, political parties, elected officials, citizens, and other interested parties with up-to-date information on public attitudes.   EXPECTED DELIVERABLES The public opinion research firm will be responsible for conducting and supervising all research in collaboration with LADE offices in Beirut. Specifically, for the survey conducted under this contract, LADE would expect the public opinion research firm to be responsible for the following tasks: Desk review to detect relevant concepts and principles necessary to the survey Designing of technical tools, such as the sampling methodology. The sample is distributed at the level of the qada, based on the resident and registered population.   Developing the survey questionnaire in English and Arabic based on instructions received from LADE; Selecting the sample for the nationwide survey; Fielding the survey throughout the country; and Providing LADE with survey analysis and electronic files of the raw data, methodological report, top-line results, cross-tabs, party-specific reports/presentations, and a final narrative and analytical report and presentation based on instructions received from LADE.   PROPOSAL INFORMATION Please indicate in the proposal your firm’s qualifications to oversee and conduct surveys and focus groups in Lebanon. In addition, please include a monetary bid for completing such work and any additional information pertinent to the selection process. To assist LADE in assessing your firm’s qualifications, your proposal should include the following: General information about your firm and its survey methodology, including the methods it plans to use to recruit, train, and conduct quality control of field interviewers and data entry clerks; Expected research plan and methodology for proposed work; A list of previous clients; Statements of previous experience in conducting survey research in Lebanon; A sample survey questionnaire; and A sample survey report. Proposals should include a detailed budget containing all costs, including staff time and projected communications and travel expenses, in U.S Dollars. Please include pricing on the cost for a survey with a sample size of 2,500, as well as pricing for potential oversampling of targeted populations. Pricing for translation should be separated out from other service elements. Please submit proposals via email to ali.m@lade.org.lb at LADE headquarters maximum by July 21st, 2015 (early submissions welcomed). LADE reserve the right to reject any and all bids. LADE reserve the right to consider bids for modification at any time before a contract is awarded. LADE shall not be liable for any costs associated with the preparation, transmittal, or presentation of any materials submitted in response to the RFP Contact: Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections Beirut, Petro Trad Street, Sodeco 7 Bldg. 5th floor Tel: 01/333713/4