Lead researcher, Guatemala needs assessment (Spanish- and English-speaking)

TRF is an implementing partner for the HIVOS funded programme, We Lead. It is an innovative and far-reaching program that aims to strengthen the influence and position of young women whose sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRH-R) are neglected the most. It targets young women and adolescent girls who: live with HIV; identify as lesbian, bisexual, trans, or intersex (LBTI); live with a disability; and/or are affected by displacement.

The programme will support We Lead’s priorities on strengthening the role of civil society as a means of positive transformative change, including gender equality, inclusion and respect for diversity of girls and young women.

To aid in the design of TRF activities, TRF is conducting an assessment in Guatemala to identify how young women’s SRHR are being covered in news and social media and identify general training needs of journalists reporting on these issues. It will also research the needs of HIVOS Communities of Action working on the project, to understand their communications training needs and identify opportunities.

The objectives of the research are:

– Find out what kind of media coverage there is on the issues, what issues are reported on, and what the tonality is like

– Find out the level of interest, and capacity of newsrooms/digital media platforms to report on these issues

– Find out what challenges and experience CSOs encounter in working with media and what support they need from TRF

– Understand how to counter prevailing conservative narratives on the SRH-R of the target rightsholder groups

– Find out legal understanding, challenges and needs of CSOs in We Lead Guatemala consortium.

Contract value

The budget for the research must not exceed £10,000

Deliverables and timeframes

All methods and research tools will be agreed with TRF. Any changes to research timeframes need to be discussed and agreed with the TRF Project Management team.

Given the quick turnaround for the study, the consultant is expected to attend regular catch ups with TRF (frequency to be agreed) to provide updates on progress and to co-design research tools and next steps.

The final report should be submitted by 21st September, with a draft for review submitted by 7th September.

TRF will provide the consultant relevant documentation relating to the We Lead programme, literature identified through an initial desk review. TRF will also facilitate contacts with media houses and We Lead consortium CSOs.

Skills and experience

• At least 10 years of experience as a researcher in the field of media development, with demonstrated academic qualifications (PhD or Masters)
• Experience undertaking qualitative and quantitative research, with experience conducting interviews, focus groups discussions, and data analysis; and developing research tools and frameworks for these
• Experience working on media development projects and leading research led by donor requirements in the international development sector
• Understanding of social media listening software such as meltwater, and how to extrapolate key findings in line with wider research objectives
• Experience undertaking editorial content assessments
• Knowledge of ethical guidelines and experience working with and conducting research related to vulnerable communities
• Demonstrated ability to manage time-bound research
• Examples of published research using similar research methodologies
• Exceptional written and verbal skills in English and Spanish