Qualitative Researcher

Project Background

As part of the project “Enhancing the inclusivity of the LGBTI community in workplaces in Lebanon”, which is funded by the European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR), ACTED has selected Vivre Positif to implement a campaign focused on promoting human rights and inclusion of the LBGTQI+ community in the workplace. Therefore, the selected applicant will sign a contract with ACTED but will work for Vivre Positif.

Background

Vivre Positif is a Lebanese nonprofit, nonpartisan, and non-governmental organization founded in 2008 and dedicated to empower, support and advocate for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Lebanon.

At Vivre Positif, we work together to build a society without discrimination and stigma towards PLHIV, allowing them to strive, be themselves, and live their lives positively.

Period of Performance

December 2021

Statement of Work:

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN LEBANON

Focus Groups on Public Perceptions on LGBTQ+ working conditions and discrimination at workplace.

OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH

To better understand employers’ perceptions of the rights of LGBTQ+ at workplace.

VP needs to:

1. Understand perceptions of people, mainly men and women employees, in regards to the LGBTQ+ community. In what words do people describe LGBTQ+ community? How do they feel about having an LGBTQ+ co-worker? What reactions would they have if they know about a different sexual orientation and/or gender identity of their co-workers? What would be the most common attitude or behavior if participants witness stigmatization and discrimination?

2. Understand employers’ perspectives – from different sectors - on the possibility to employ LGBTQ+ individuals. How do employers feel about employing LGBTQ+ individuals? What policies are put in place to ensure a safe working space, if any? What is the most common attitude of employers regarding LGBTQ+ employees? How would employers react to cases of discrimination within their companies / institutions?

3. Understand main challenges and attitudes faced by LGBTQ+ individuals at workplace. What kind of encounters did LGBTQ+ experience at workplace? What forms of discrimination are most common? Who are the most common perpetuators of discrimination? What differences exist between attitudes of men and women towards different sexual orientation and/or gender identity of their LGBTQ+ coworkers?

METHODOLOGY

The questions above are best addressed by a qualitative research study, involving focus groups and key informant interviews. Four groups, each lasting approximately 90-120 minutes and attended by 8-10 participants, should take place, with LGBTQ+ and general population in Greater Beirut, as follows:

#

Sexual orientation / gender identity

1

Gays, bisexual and lesbian individuals

2

Transgender and transsexual individuals

3

Straight or unidentified men

4

Straight or unidentified women

VP will provide support for the identification of possible LGBTQ+ participants. VP will be also providing a venue for conducting the focus groups (including refreshments), as well as the transportation cost for participants.

All participants should be:

• Between 25 and 60 years of age
• Must be recruited from different neighborhoods in Beirut and Mount Lebanon
• Must be recruited from different sectors and types of jobs
• Currently employed or have been employed during the last 12 months (formal employment)
• Participants in the same focus group session may not know one another.
• No participants may have participated in a focus group or in-depth interview study in the past 12 months.

In addition, six Key Informant Interviews (KII) shall be conducted with employers, including company owners and/or Human Resources managers in selected companies and institutions. Employers must have at least 10 employees and a track record of employment, including employment policies. They should also provide some sort of formal employment, not daily or seasonal work. The list of companies / institutions has to be validated by VP prior to conducting the interviews.

KII may include NGOs, factories, service companies, etc.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT

The Consultant will be responsible for managing all logistical aspects of the project above and should engage local support staff as necessary to complete the following:

• Screener. the Consultant will be responsible of drafting a screening questionnaire based on the specifications above, and submit to VP for approval two days after the contract signature. The Consultant shall launch the recruitment process once the screening questionnaire is approved, no later than 4 days after the contract signature.

• Recruiting participants. The Consultant will recruit all participants according to the screening criteria listed above. Two days prior to the start of the first focus group session, the Consultant will provide a brief description of the composition of the groups in terms of age, gender, occupation, etc. Consultant should recruit 8-10 participants for each group as well as 2-3 alternates in case any of the original participants are unable to participate. All participants will be required to give written informed consent to participate in this study. The Consultant will provide a draft informed consent form which may be adjusted by VP if needed.

• Discussion guide. the Consultant will provide the draft discussion guide within four days of contract award, to be approved by VP.

• Focus group moderator. The Consultant will provide a trained and experienced moderator for groups with different target groups. The moderators should familiarize him/herself with the topic of discussion prior to the groups. The moderator will participate in a training of up to 2 hours with VP staff.

• Observation. The Consultant will provide an opportunity for VP staff to observe the focus group discussions.

• Recording of focus group discussions. Audio and/or video record all aspects of research necessary for full and accurate data collection, transcript generation and inclusion of illustrative samples in the final analytical report. If participants do not consent to audio recordings, full notes should be provided by securing the services of professional note-takers.
• Written analytical report. The Consultant will analyze all discussions, and write and edit final analytic report (see Deliverables) for review, editing and acceptance by VP within one week of the final focus group session. The report is expected to synthesize findings across all participants and all discussion sessions, including the KII while noting to any major differences of opinions between participants and sessions. The report must present actual analysis (i.e. not mere description) and illustrative quotes from participants.

DELIVERABLES

• Proposed Screener

• Finalized discussion guide (including translation where applicable)

• Video/Audio recordings of the discussions, with clear audio. Recording should be delivered to VP electronically (for example via a file transfer service) or full transcripts in audio recording is not available.

• Analytic report of 15-20 pages in MS Word in idiomatic English, which includes a one or two page/slide executive summary, addressing the research needs outlined above.

TIMING

The focus group discussions should be held during the month of December 2021.

PROPOSAL CONTENT

All proposals should be submitted to ACTED in Times New Roman 12-point font containing a brief organizational description, budget for services and any descriptions of specialized products or services relevant to the bid. Additionally, the proposal must include:

Proposals should include:

1. Name, address, and telephone of the Consultant. If the Consultant is a firm, name(s) should be provided for individuals authorized to conduct business on behalf of the firm.
2. Name and explanation of the role of subcontractors (if any)
3. List of previous qualitative research projects the bidder has conducted with similar specifications, including conducting research with LGBTQ+
4. Description of recruitment plan
5. Description of fieldwork quality assurance measures (if any)
6. Preliminary questions for the discussion guide
7. Description of analysis plan
8. Proposed moderator(s) CV/Resume
9. Description of anticipated challenges if any
10. Potential impact of the Coronavirus on your operations, employees, research participants, and how risks can be mitigated
11. List up to three references for work performed of a similar nature during the last three years, along with contact details. VP may contact the references to evaluate past performance.
12. Expected budget, inclusive of all services and taxes

Proposals will not exceed 4 pages with single spacing (not including cover page and attachments).

Please send your proposals no later than 6 December 5h00 PM Beirut time to Lebanon.jobs@acted.org with subject line “VP Qualitative Research Proposal”.