External Evaluator – Environmental Journalism in Iraq

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Internews is seeking an External Evaluator to lead an evaluation of the Environmental Journalism in Iraq (EJI) project. The evaluator will design and develop the overall evaluation approach, methodology, and data collection strategy, and will be responsible for ensuring the evaluation’s objective implementation. The evaluator should be fluent in Arabic and English and have experience conducting evaluations in difficult country contexts, particularly for USG donors.

LOGISTICS

This is a remote-based role, and candidates based in Iraq, Jordan, Tunisia & United Kingdom will be considered.

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

This is a limited-duration position, with an expected end date of January 2025.

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.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

As Iraq faces an unprecedented environmental crisis, Iraqi communities’ needs and perspectives, especially those of marginalized populations, must be at the center of responses to environmental destruction and climate change. Yet local media and environmental defenders lack many of the skills, access, and resources to provide inclusive, constructive and solution-based content that can promote better environmental governance and accountability.

Internews, in partnership with three local partners in Iraq, implemented the EJI project, from October 2022 until October 2024. The project goal was to improve Iraq citizens’ access to information they need to engage in civic action, make informed decisions and hold power to account; contributing to improved environmental governance and accountability. The project supported two objectives: 1) Support independent media to produce inclusive, fact-based and solutions-oriented content on the impacts of climate change and 2) Journalists and CSOs collaboratively promote public access to information on climate change and environmental issues in Iraq.

The project is designed based on a robust Theory of Change:

IF the capacity of Iraqi journalists is built to safely produce more high quality, evidence driven, and solution-oriented content addressing climate change and environmental protection, AND IF networking and collaboration opportunities are fostered between journalists, CSOs, and environmental defenders, AND IF journalists and CSOs increase public awareness of climate change and environmental issues across the country, particularly those disproportionately affecting marginalized groups; THEN Iraqi citizens will have access to information they need to engage in civic action, make informed decisions, and hold power to account, AND FINALLY Iraqi media and citizens can contribute to improved environmental governance and accountability.

EVALUATION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this final evaluation is to assess the performance and potential success of the project against expected outcomes and impact, suggesting ways of improving where relevant. It should also look at signs of the potential impact of project activities on beneficiaries and the sustainability of results.

Specific objectives of the evaluation include:

• Assess the relevance and effectiveness of the EJI project in improving Iraqi journalists’ capacity to produce high-quality, solution-oriented environmental content and fostering collaboration between journalists and CSOs

• Evaluate the project’s impact on public awareness and engagement with environmental and climate change issues in Iraq, particularly among marginalized populations.

• Examine the efficiency of project implementation and the effectiveness of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system in tracking progress and informing adaptive management.

• Assess the potential for sustainability of the project’s outcomes and identify key factors (both internal and external) that influenced the achievement of results.

• Provide actionable recommendations for improving future environmental journalism interventions in Iraq based on lessons learned and best practices.

  The key audiences for this evaluation are the Internews Iraq Team, local partners, participants of the project activities, and relevant stakeholders.

EVALUATION SCOPE AND EVALUATION QUESTIONS

The success of this evaluation is contingent on close collaboration with Internews at every stage of the process, including the design of the methodology, the crafting of the inception report, and the development of the final report and other relevant materials.

In line with the evaluation purpose and objective, the following key evaluation questions are proposed for the final evaluation. However, these can be expanded upon, narrowed down, and modified by the evaluator in consultation with Internews.

• How well did the project align with the overall environmental and media context in Iraq, and how effectively did it adapt to any changes in this context during implementation?
• To what extent did the project address the skills, access, and resource gaps of journalists and environmental defenders in Iraq?
• How effective was the project in supporting journalists and independent media to produce inclusive, fact-based, and solutions-oriented content on the impacts of climate change?
• To what degree did the project succeed in fostering collaborative promotion of public access to information on climate change and environmental issues between journalists, CSOs, and other relevant stakeholders?
• How effective was the project’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system in tracking progress and results against the Theory of Change?
• What evidence is there of the project’s contribution to improved environmental governance and accountability in Iraq?
• What unexpected outcomes (positive or negative) emerged from the project activities?
• How sustainable are the improvements in Iraqi journalists’ capacity to safely produce high-quality, evidence-driven, and solution-oriented content on environmental issues? b) What measures were taken to ensure the sustainability of collaboration between journalists and CSOs on environmental issues beyond the project timeline?
• What key factors (internal and external) influenced or hindered the achievement of intended activities, outcomes, and impacts?
• What recommendations can be made to improve future environmental journalism and media development interventions in Iraq based on the EJI project experience?

EVALUATION APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

The evaluator has the freedom to utilize any evaluation approach that is appropriate with robust research methods, either quantitative or qualitative, that would fulfil the purpose and objectives of the evaluation and respond to the evaluation questions. A blend of both primary and secondary data is recommended. The evaluator should include a defense of why the methodology is the most appropriate for this specific evaluation.

The evaluator should, at a minimum, in their methodology, include the following data collection methods:

Desk review of relevant documents: Thorough review of pertinent program-related materials, including but not limited to, quarterly narrative reports, M&E data and reports, other relevant materials produced by the program.
Literature Review: Thorough review of relevant external sources, including academic and grey literature, to ensure an appropriate level of knowledge of the context of the project.
Qualitative Interviews (Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews): The evaluator is expected to hold interviews and meetings with relevant staff of the program, internal and external stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries.
Evaluators proposing the integration of specific evaluation approaches such as Most Significant Change, Ripple Effect Mapping, Outcome Harvesting, Outcome Mapping, Contribution Analysis, etc., would be advantageous.
The methodological approach and design of the evaluation will be developed and agreed between Internews and the evaluator. The evaluator will then be responsible for its objective implementation.

TIMELINE:

Launch of ToR and bids reception – Deadline for applications: November 20, 2024

Appointment of evaluator and initial briefing – Appointment: by November 2024 – Briefing: as soon as possible upon appointment – The consultant is expected to have initial meetings with staff to inform the inception report.

Inception report – By December 2024 – Relevant documentation will be made available, and the inception report will include: Literature review; Draft methodology; Evaluation Matrix and Data collection tools; Outline of final report structure

First draft report – By December 2024/January 2025 – Internews staff will review the draft for further clarification, comment and structure

Final draft report – By January 2025

PowerPoint presentation and debrief with Internews staff and partners on the evaluation findings and recommendations – By January 2025

We anticipate around 25-35 full working days will be needed to conduct this evaluation in a flexible working manner as follows:

The draft and final reports should be presented in English with no longer than 5 to 7 pages (excluding any relevant annexes) and contain a concise executive Summary of core findings and recommendations, the latter being specific and action‐oriented, and tailored to all relevant stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in media, journalism, international development, evaluation, research, or related field;
• At least 5 years of experience conducting evaluations in difficult contexts, particularly for USG donors, including a strong understanding for ethical evaluation practices, and ability to adhere to best practices for data security;
• Deep knowledge of quantitative and qualitative evaluation approaches and methods;
• Fluent in English and Arabic;
• Strong facilitation, presentation, writing and communication skills.
• Excellent inter-cultural communication skills/cultural sensitivity and the ability to forge strong cross-cultural relationships and build trust demonstrated through previous intercultural experience;

Preferred

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

• Masters’ degree or PhD in relevant field;
• Experience conducting evaluations for media development, or more than 5 years of experience as an evaluator;
• Experience in evaluation of grants funded by the US State Department;
• Experience in evaluating and analyzing social media presence and online audience engagement;
• Knowledge and understanding of the Iraqi context, particularly impacts of climate change in Iraq.
• Fluent or knowledge of Kurdish would be considered a great asset.