Researcher, Rooted in Trust Sudan

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Internews works at the frontline of the COVID-19 infodemic to ensure communities have access to timely, accurate, and responsive information that can help them make well-informed health choices. We support communicators in 100 countries, from radio stations to refugee camps, to news outlets, fact checkers or health and humanitarian communicators. we know that information is power and dignity, and it can change lives.

The Rooted in Trust project works to combat COVID-19 rumors and misinformation in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Colombia, Brazil, Mali, DRC, Zimbabwe, Sudan and South Sudan. We work to create impact at the local level, supported by a Global Technical Advisory team made up of media, humanitarian, data science and information management experts. In Phase 1 of the project, we collected more than 19 thousand rumors in 14 languages and supported more than 30 local trusted information providers. In this critical phase of the pandemic, we will build on these efforts to listen and respond to the information challenges faced by vulnerable groups in humanitarian contexts, building dialogue between citizens and scientists and stronger and more collaborative partnerships between information providers (such as local media) and humanitarian and health sources.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Researcher will manage the implementation of an Information Ecosystem Assessment in Sudan. The Researcher will have a strong focus on how IDP populations and host communities communicate to access information about COVID-19 related issues and how their use of online media intersects with their use of traditional media and other sources. Research activities will include desk research, social media monitoring, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, surveys, capacity assessment interviews and field observations. The Report will help to inform public health and humanitarian response agencies to better communicate key messages to the at-risk population.

LOGISTICS

This is a full-time, short-term consultancy with an expected duration of six months. Our ideal candidate is based outside of Sudan and in a time zone able to coordinate with colleagues in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region. This is a remote-based consultancy. You must possess independent work authorization in your location that does not require sponsorship from Internews.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people . Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Work with the Global research lead to design the research activities;
• Adapt research tools to the local context;
• Coordinate with partner organizations to provide training to ensure quality data collection practices;
• Clean, collate, and analyze data collected by partner organizations;
• Conduct key informant interviews with community leaders, influencers, public health and humanitarian agency officials, media representatives and others;
• Identify information flows, uses, popular platforms, trusted actors, and how information on the virus is produced, distributed and accessed;
• Contribute to the writing of the final report;
• Generate graphs or other engaging content to display data;
• Collaborate with key informants to identify further areas of research;
• Deliver regular reporting to the project team; and
• Perform other activities as assigned by supervisors.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• Strong Monitoring & Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) background, especially using a mix of qualitative and quantitative, observational and participatory data collection and analysis methods, working in complex, humanitarian contexts
• Master’s degree in social sciences, international development, evaluation, or a related field
• At least 5 years’ experience conducting project/program impact evaluation
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English
• Fluency in other local languages an advantage, such as Fur, Masalit or Nuba
• Excellent inter-cultural communication skills/cultural sensitivity and the ability to forge strong cross-cultural relationships and build trust demonstrated through previous experience
• Strong co-design facilitation, presentation, writing and communication skills
• Familiarity with the latest literature on mis- and disinformation, trusted and related research emerging from political, social and communication science
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian principles to ensure data collection and provision follows the Core Humanitarian Standards
• Relevant experience working with data collection and analysis software, including Kobo Toolbox or similar software

Preferred

*Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply.*

• Data visualization skills and knowledge of relevant software to produce infographics is a plus
• Strong software skills to ensure proper design and layout of the regular reports
• Self-motivated and used to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong understanding of and commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values