Research – Young People’s Digital Behaviour in Iraq

Background

Oxfam is an international confederation counting 17 organizations working together with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries.

Oxfam has been working in Iraq since the 1990s with both an expanding and contracting presence. In 2014, Oxfam established its first office in Mosul when the conflict with ISIS began and the country was thrown into a new humanitarian crisis, in an already fragile context. In 2021, Oxfam is amongst the largest NGOs operating in the country, with nine offices and almost 200 employees.

Oxfam in Iraq’s strategy is shaped around 3 key pillars 1) Humanitarian response 2) Governance and 3) Equality. Within each of these pillars, intervention covers the following sectors: Emergency Food Security and Vulnerable Livelihoods, Water and Sanitation and Hygiene, Gender and Protection, Emergency lifesaving support, and Local Humanitarian Leadership.

In this framework, Oxfam in Iraq has recently launched a new project, Masarouna, aiming at supporting young people’s voice to achieve their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Alongside partners from RNW Media, Iraq Response Innovation Lab in Oxfam is aiming to launch a digital platform. The platforms will enable YP to access inclusive SRHR information, to be able to interact and discuss SRHR topics in a safe online space and as needed, be referred to SRH services in Iraq. Also, it helps to strengthen civil society to raise public awareness, advocate, and work towards more adequate and comprehensive SRHR services in Iraq.

Objectives of the Research

The research main objective is to provide a comprehensive analysis to the digital behavior of young people in Iraq in general, and specifically towards SRHR and SRHR topics. The research’s main purpose is to provide information regarding:

• Trends and patterns of internet usage in Iraq of all age groups. This includes and not restricted to: average time spent online, active hours, access to wifi and smart phones, preferred digital platforms, etc.
• Trends and patterns of internet platforms of youth from 18-35. This analysis needs to include information beyond social media.
• Engagement patterns on content topics that are considered to be sensitive or controversial such as GBV, politics, religion, SRHR, minorities and other gender-related topics across social media and other digital platforms.
• Behavior patterns regarding hate speech or online harassment across different digital platforms (with special focus on social media)
• How young people evaluate a digital platform’s reliability, what are popular reliable digital platforms and their characteristics
• Behavior towards influencers and influencer promotion.
• A mapping of trusted influencers in the Iraqi sphere, an analysis to what makes an influencer reliable.

Reporting Line:

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Innovation Lab Manager and the supervision of the Masarouna Project Manager.

Deliverables of the research

The Consultant/ researchers will submit a technical and financial proposition including a detailed description of the methodology to be used for the research. Data collection tools will be developed in close collaboration with RNW Media and Oxfam Iraq staff. An agreed-upon the comprehensive working calendar, including a timeline and operational plan, will guide the process.

The detailed Research design proposition is to be created by the consultant/ researchers as part of the application. The following general guidance and methods should be taken into account in the design of the consultancy project:

• The Consultant is expected to draw on the Iraq findings and elaborate on the practical implications of setting up an SRHR platform based the findings from the Digital Context Analysis and the findings from the SRHR feasibility study.
• Some of the key findings will be based on secondary data collection through desk-research and preliminary literature review on youth, SRHR situation and digital media (actors) in Iraq.
• The Consultant/ Researchers need to collect data from primary resources in the form of:
  • Online digital surveys
  • Sentiment analysis
  • Focus Group Discussions
  • Interviews

The main findings will be drawn from the primary sources of this research.

Deliverables include:

A discovery meeting to set the research objectives, timeline and specific deliverables.

The design of research question(s) to inform the research will be developed in consultation with RNW Media and Oxfam Iraq. And further consultation will be needed to inform strategies.

Survey results, focus groups and interview findings

Research Draft Review Workshop

Final report includes a comprehensive narrative report and annexes that cover quantitative and qualitative data collected, and the objectives mentioned above.

REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE

• Masters’ degree in the field of Research, sociology or other related fields;
• Good knowledge of the Iraqi context and relevant networks within Iraq;
• Experience in conducting similar research focused on youth and digital behavior.
• A profile of conducting research independently or in a part of a research team.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate detailed concepts clearly and concisely both in writing and verbally;
• Ability to facilitate and support logistics for country activities, including workshops and meetings;
• Excellent time management and coordination skills;
• Research companies or teams are encouraged to apply.
• Language:
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English.
• Knowledge of Iraqi Kurdish is an asset.

The ownership of the research will be under Oxfam Iraq and the consultant will not share the research without the permission of Oxfam.

Payment will be divided to tranches linked to the reception and approval of the deliverables.

The sequence of payment will on the basis of 40% for completing the initial deliverables, and the remaining 60% upon receiving the final version of the research.