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<BODY style="FONT: 10pt Segoe UI; MARGIN: 4px 4px 1px"><BR><BR>>>> "Charles Guedenet" <cguedenet@irex.org> 03.04.2018 12:38 >>><BR>
<DIV dir=ltr><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman",serif'>I</SPAN><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">REX (International Research & Exchanges Board) is seeking quotes from qualified respondents to provide technical assistance in the design and implementation of a media audience study in Syria. The study will be a follow-on to a survey conducted in October 2017 with the dual purpose of measuring change in key program indicators and improving understanding of media audience consumption habits and perceptions of media outlets. The study will include two components: 1. A quantitative media audience survey consisting of at least 800 interviews 2. in-depth semi-structured interviews with a smaller sample of media audience members. Interested consultants or firms are invited to submit a proposal for only one or both components of the research. <BR clear=all></FONT>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2 face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Proposal Due Date:</B> April 16, 2018<SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2 face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Anticipated Award Date</B>: April 24, 2018</FONT></P></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Research Objectives</B></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">The main objective of the media audience research will be to measure the change in Syria Media Audience Research program indicators from the baseline established in October 2017. In addition, results from the survey will be used to support learning about audiences of media partners to inform IREX’s strategy and interventions and to inform media partner programming decisions.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Research Questions and sub-questions</B></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>What are the media consumption habits of Syrians (e.g. how long to they listen/view media, what programs do they listen to, and when)?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>What media platforms and media do Syrians listen to or view?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>What programs at specific media stations do they listen to or view?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>How do they get their media/news (youTube, facebook, radio, TV, website)?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>What topics or types of content are Syrians most interested in?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>How long do they listen/view their preferred news sources?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>What are audience profiles for different stations and media sources?</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>What are Syrian attitudes towards media stations?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Why do people listen to media stations?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Why do Syrians trust or not trust media stations?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Do Syrians perceive stations as objective or credible and why?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Do Syrians perceive stations as promoting tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful co-existence and why?</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Research methods</B></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Survey – Surveys will be done through face-to-face interviews, consist of primarily close-ended questions, and not take more than 15-20 minutes. The survey will include most locations included in the baseline survey with some changes, to be determined in consultation with NEA/AC. These include potentially adding a fourth province, Raqqa, and the district Afrin. The sample should include at least 800 respondents. We also anticipate using the same or a similar sampling methodology as the one developed for the baseline.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Interviews - Semi-structured in-depth interviews will be employed to gather primary data from media audience members. Interviews will generate insights into target group media preferences and habits, and provide time to probe on reasons behind key insights, ideas, and action. The researcher(s) will work with IREX to develop the scope and methodology for these interviews.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Deliverables</B></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">1.<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Draft narrative report in MS word for feedback and comments from IREX and NEA</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">2.<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Final narrative report in MS word that addresses comments and feedback provided</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">3.<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Final powerpoint slides highlighting key findings, conclusions, and recommendations</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">4.<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Survey questionnaire in English and Arabic, interview guide and data collection protocols</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">5.<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Raw data and tabulated results</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">6.<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Field procedure plan (includes field protocols, data management logistics, quality assurance and control measures, etc.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">7.<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Enumerator training curriculum</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Responsibilities</B></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">The researcher(s) will conduct the research according to a work plan and budget to be agreed upon prior to start. The researcher(s) will be responsible for:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>developing a proposed work plan and budget;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>recruiting, hiring, and training enumerators as necessary;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>developing a sampling plan and questionnaire in collaboration with an independent media audience expert consultant (to be hired by IREX)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>conducting the research in accordance with the pre-agreed work plan and budget (includes a small pilot);</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Potentially participating in a training of data collectors in Turkey;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Monitoring data quality and addressing quality issues as they arise;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>processing and addressing comments on data collection instruments and narrative report</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>timely delivery of the deliverables in accordance with the agreed specifications;</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Responsibilities of IREX include</B>:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>supporting the researchers with contacting key stakeholders (NEA, media partners, IREX field team) for input and feedback on data collection instruments and sampling plans</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>additional reviews of the sampling methodology and survey questionnaire by an independent media audience expert</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Ensuring timely payment in agreed amounts to the researchers</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Ensuring compliance with NEA requirements</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">•<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Reviewing deliverables submitted and providing inputs to the tools and research report</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Duration and Schedule</B></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">The research—including research design, implementation, and reporting—should not take more than 4 months starting as soon as possible. All research will be conducted based on a detailed work plan and taking into account the budget available.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>Proposal Submission and selection</B></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Person(s) interested in providing this service must demonstrate:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>substantial and proven experience with media audience research</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>knowledge of the Syrian context</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>ability to adjust smoothly to changing situations and able to value active involvement of stakeholders and their engagement;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>proven experience in report writing;</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Interested researchers are invited to send a technical proposal, time frame, and detailed budget in USD (max 5 pages). The technical proposal should include information on the proposed recruitment and training of data collectors, the data collection tools (i.e. mobile technology is preferred ), safety and security considerations for data collectors. The estimated budget should have sufficient detail to determine the price elements.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">In addition, researchers are requested to submit:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Curriculum Vitae or portfolio clearly presenting experience in conducting research (and if available a report to share as sample)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>References to two to three previous clients</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">·<SPAN style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>Resume(s) of key staff that will be assigned to the project</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><B>If you are interested in furnishing this service, please e-mail the technical proposal and additional documents to <A href="mailto:cguedenet@irex.org">cguedenet@irex.org</A>. </B></FONT></DIV></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr><B style="FONT-SIZE: small"><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif">Charles Guedenet</FONT></B>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: small"><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif"><I>Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning Advisor</I><BR></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif"><A href="mailto:cguedenet@irex.org" target=_blank>cguedenet@irex.org</A> | 202 628 8188 x340</FONT></DIV>
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