Researcher (Focus Group lead in Arabic and Kurdish)

**The Researcher Consultant must be already based in Iraq and have access to Basra, Fallujah, and Halabja, the places of research**

Title: Researcher (Focus Group lead in Arabic and Kurdish)

Scope: Design, implement, and analyze focus groups in Halabja, Falluja, and Basra

Timeline of contract: Jan 25th –May 25th 2022 (incl. during Ramadan)

About MiCT:

Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT) gGmbH is a German media development organisation that implements projects in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. MiCT’s activities focus on the interplay between conflict, media coverage and reconciliation.

For the past 12 years MiCT has been conducting investigative reporting training and has produced investigative reports in cooperation with local journalists in Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan & South Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, as well as several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

For more information on MiCT please visit our website: https://mict-international.org/

Background: MiCT is launching a film and radio production project aiming to generate community participation in public discourse across Halabja, Falluja, and Basra. This task will be supported by project research that identifies the top issues within these communities, public perception of different forms of media, and other governance related topics. This “audience research” will be given to participating media partners as they develop new shows, formats. The project will produce various media outputs, including radio shows and films. Some of this content will be used in midline content assessments, which will be useful for media partners to consider audience feedback on their production.

Deliverables: The tasks will be to design and implement both initial project and midline research in coordination with a Co-Researcher at MiCT Headquarters in Berlin.

• Organize, design, and implement 9 focus groups (3 in each city of Halabja, Falluja, and Basra)
• Review research related documents and submit outline with detailed methodology, design and approach
• Develop work schedule, working closely with research team in Germany
• Submit analysis (in English) and help draft Research Report with Co-Researcher

Consultancy Requirements:

• A senior expert in conducting and facilitating evaluations on large and complex programs, holding a minimum of a Masters’ degree in Social Science, Development study, Economics, Statistics, or a related subject and practical knowledge in conducting end-line evaluations.
• Qualitative research experience – competent in qualitative research design, interview guide development, undertaking interviews / Focus group discussion. This includes expertise in qualitative analysis, integration of qualitative and quantitative in design and analysis.
• A minimum of 6+ years’ experience in designing, implementing & managing baseline surveys.
• Proven track records in leading focus groups and producing quality baseline survey reports
• Proven ability to work with different communities and stakeholders
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Knowledge synthesis – experience conducting literature searches (e.g. through Google Scholar alerts, research circulars, Twitter) and summarizing complex academic papers and non-academic reports into key findings / talking points in straightforward, non-technical
• Language: Arabic, Kurdish, and English

Budget

All costs related to implementation will be pre-planned and submitted to MiCT by the consultant. Payment will be issued in instalments and final payment to the consultant will be made after the final evaluation report has been approved by MiCT.