Researcher - Mena

Job Title: Researcher (short term contract) - MENA

Location: Remote

Reports to: Regional Director - MENA

**SUMMARY**

Internews is an international media development organization whose mission is to give people a voice and the information to empower communities. To support the implementation of a regional project in MENA, Internews is seeking a research consultant. The consultant will be responsible for conducting an in-depth research study to explore the media and journalistic landscape surrounding the climate mis/disinformation topic. The research will focus on Iraq, Morocco, and Yemen, countries where Internews/EJN has a strong network of journalists. At the centre of this research lies the question of how journalists report on climate change. In more detail. We want to know:

- What narratives surrounding climate change do journalists uphold, including the perceived causes of extreme weather, drought, floods and changes in disease patterns, as well as the policy actions needed and how realistically feasible they are?
- Where do they get information and data for climate reporting, and what data sources do they find trustworthy?
- What challenges do they face when gathering information and reporting on climate change, both during the newsgathering stage as well as in their newsrooms?
- What understanding do journalists have of the terms climate ‘mis
- and disinformation’?
- To what extent are journalists in MENA currently reporting on Climate Mis
- and Disinformation - or are they interested in doing so?
- To what extent do journalists report that climate change is real and being caused by humans, and to what extent do they include sources that claim otherwise?
- Do they come across active attempts at climate disinformation - interested parties trying to influence media coverage of climate change and foist inaccurate information into the public realm?

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Review existing literature, including peer-reviewed and gray literature.
- Refine research questions, and design a robust research methodology, ensuring reliability and validity.
- The researcher is expected to develop and conduct an online survey which will be widely distributed among journalists in the target countries, and develop and run several in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with journalists and experts with regional knowledge on climate journalism - survey and interviews will be held in either English or Arabic but must be translated by the researcher.
- Produce inception report, which should include a preliminary literature review, discussion of methodology and final survey questions.
- Collect and analyze data.
- Prepare visualizations, charts, and graphs to present data in a clear and concise manner.
- Summarize research findings, drawing meaningful insights from the data analysis.
- Formulate clear and evidence-based conclusions based on the research outcomes.
- Develop actionable recommendations for stakeholders and decision-makers based on the research findings.
- Produce final research report.
- Organize a webinar to share findings with stakeholders and journalists.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- To perform this consultancy successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Fluency in English and Arabic, with excellent writing and communication skills.
- Good understanding of media, political, cultural, gender, religion, and other sensitivities in MENA.
- Good understanding of climate issues and the impact of mis/disinformation in the MENA region.
- At least 3-5 years of research related work experience and at least 2 years of experience as a lead researcher.
- Demonstrable experience conducting interviews, focus group discussions, data analysis, and publications with policy implications and recommendations (non-academic publications preferred).
- Experience with media monitoring and analysis.
- Experience in leading or supporting the execution of qualitative and/or quantitative research activities and report production with a focus on the MENA region.
- Experience in conducting key informant interviews.
- Experience in social media analytical tools and digital metrics.
- Strong critical thinking and writing skills; excellent communication skills.
- Relevant university degree in social sciences field, preferably with a focus on research.

**Timeframe and Deliverables**

Estimated billable days: 15 days

January 2024 - May 2024

Inception report due: February 16, 2024

First draft report due: April 1, 2024

Final text of report due: April 19, 2024

Project end date: May 17, 2024

Note that the draft and final reports should be presented in English and be no longer than 35 pages (excluding any relevant annexes). The report layout should incl