Internews Afghanistan Information Ecosystem Analysis Adviser

ABOUT INTERNEWS

Internews empowers people worldwide with the trustworthy, high-quality news and information they need to make informed decisions, participate in their communities, and hold power to account. Our vision is to unleash human potential everywhere by turning on the bright light of information.

For more than 35 years, in more than 100 countries, Internews has worked to build healthy media and information environments where they are most needed. We have proudly incubated hundreds of sustainable organizations, bolstered the skills of thousands of media professionals, activists, and citizens, and helped these partners reach millions of people with quality, local information.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Internews in Afghanistan, under both the National Health Technical Assistance Project (NHTAP) and Urban Health Initiative (UHI) works to improve awareness of optimal health behaviors, increase recognition and care-seeking for complications, and increase community, household and individual demand for health services through improving the ability of people to make the best decisions for themselves, their families and their communities.

Internews proposes to undertake a health-focused Information Ecosystems Analysis (IEA), a multi-phase, human centered approach to understanding how people and communities in the program’s target geographic areas find, share, value and trust health-related information, whether it’s from the media or not, in their own community contexts.

Internews seeks to engage a consultant to lead the Information Ecosystem Analysis initiative in two phases over a three-month period.

LOGISTICS

This position will be based either remotely or in Kabul, Afghanistan. A candidate from the local time zone (GMT + 4:30) is preferred; the ideal candidate should have flexibility to coordinate with colleagues in Kabul, Afghanistan. The candidate will not be expected to travel, unless the COVID-19 situation meaningfully changes.

IEA RESEARCH DESIGN

• Phase One: National and Provincial/community Media Landscape Review. This short period of desk research aims to cpature from the public domain key data about the “supply side” of media and information in Afghanistan. (Duration: 1-2 weeks.)
• Phase Two: Human Centered research conducted by a locally led research team in target communities. The work aims to get a granular understanding of how target demographics interact with their available information supply (whether from the media or informal channels), and how they triangulate, trust, value and share this information.

The consultant will receive an orientation in Internews Information Ecosystem methodology from Internews Technical Support staff before starting the assignment.

Following the completion of the Phase One desk research, the consultant will be required to train and guide a locally-led research team to do the (ideally) community-based research using qualitative field research techniques such as focus group discussions, key informant interviews, one-on-one interviews and case studies. The design of the field-based research will be contingent on COVID-19 risk. Based on this research, Internews will work with a range of stakeholders and health actors to develop clear recommendations for future programming. Initial research findings will be presented to stakeholders through briefs as part of the consultation process. The feedback from a range of stakeholders will be collected and incorporated into the final report.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Conduct desk research into the supply side of media nationally and in target areas, according to the Internews Information Ecosystem guidelines.
• Review qualitative research methodology and other documents relevant to the IEA and adapt if necessary, in collaboration with Internews staff, as appropriate to COVID-related, security and access factors relevant to the Afghanistan context.
• Train the locally led research team in the IEA methodology.
• Work with the local research team to develop a workplan, timeline and other details of the field research.
• Oversee the research team’s field data collection in collaboration with the Internews and MSH M&E teams.
• Provide preliminary finding sof the IEA by agreed timeline.
• Submit a draft report to the Country Director for review and revise the report by incorporating feedback.
• Submit the final report to the Internews Country Director.
• In all duties, an understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Relevant university degree, preferably with a focus on monitoring and evaluation and research studies.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation of large internationally funded health programs, preferably those with SBCC and/or media development components. Experience monitoring USG-funded programs strongly preferred.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection/survey design, implementation and analysis.
• Familiarity with common assessment frameworks such as organizational capacity assessments, and principles of survey design and analysis; familiarity with digital safety/security tools an asset.
• Competent in qualitative methodologies and participatory assessments.
• Competent in MS Excel, word processing, PowerPoint; experience using statistical programs such as SPSS.
• Demonstrated understanding of USAID and other donor approaches to media development and familiarity with efforst to apply a media lens to development work.
• Experience working in challenging environments and ability to work discreetly and securely.
• Flexibility to apply lessons learned from other contexts.
• Experience of working in Afghanistan; familiarity with Afghanistan health issues desirable.

To apply, please visit the Internews website: https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=INTERNEWS&cws=38&rid=1292