Closing date: 18 Dec 2019
Request for quotation
Consultant - Study on language and format in Education in Emergencies guidance
The mission of Translators without Borders is to provide people with access to vital knowledge in their language. We do this by building language technology, increasing language translation capacity at a local level, providing language and simplification services that are culturally appropriate, accessible and open source, and raising awareness globally of language barriers.
Contract length: 86 days
Travel: Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Northeast Nigeria
Application deadline: 18th December 2019
Click here to apply, presenting CV(s) and a technical proposal (Include it as "Cover Letter") outlining your understanding of the terms of reference, preliminary work plan and total budget. The budget should be broken down into the different budgetary posts and the daily fees should be clearly identifiable.
About Translators without Borders
The mission of Translators without Borders is to provide people with access to vital knowledge in their language. We do this by building language technology, increasing language translation capacity at a local level, providing language and simplification services that are culturally appropriate, accessible and open source, and raising awareness globally of language barriers.
Background
Translators without Borders and the Global Education Cluster are collaborating on a study of the role of language and format in Education in Emergency guidance. The Global Education Cluster are aware that guidance for front line humanitarian responders in emergencies can be difficult to access and to understand, particularly at high speed, under pressure, and with limitations to technology. The cluster would like to examine what factors most contribute to making guidance accessible and usable, learning from those at the front-line.
Both organizations are interested in:
- To what extent a humanitarian volunteer or staff member understands guidance depending on:
Language
Terminology
Writing styles
- To what extent presentation of information affects comprehension and ease of use including
Images
Lay out
Audio
- What channels front line staff find most easy to access information during crises and what format preferences they have.
The final report will describe current barriers to the accessibility of guidance. The report will also make clear recommendations about improving current guidance, as well as practical recommendations for commissioning accessible future guidance.
This study will be undertaken in three phases:
Phase 1 : desk research, review of guidance, design of tools, preparation of materials for testing
Phase 2 : data collection, in three country contexts
Phase 3 : data analysis and report writing
Role
The consultant will be responsible for the design, implementation, management and delivery of the research, including but not limited to:
Design the most innovative and appropriate methodology and tools for this study
Review of existing learning on language issues and information accessibility. This will include TWB published and unpublished information and documents and other relevant publications.
Review and make recommendations on samples of selected Education in Emergencies guidance
Work with TWB to appropriately brief field research teams
Recruit, train and manage a team of local data collectors to ensure an efficient and effective, fully documented data collection process in line with TWB research standards
Regularly update TWB on research process
Write a research report, including concrete recommendations to the requested specifications
Deliverables
Inception report (maximum of 5 pages) plus methodology, proposed tools and research plan. This will require TWB approval before proceeding to the remaining deliverables.
Weekly research updates (phone call).
A 20-page maximum editable report with visual representation of findings and actionable recommendations to improve the specific guidance tested and inform future guidance. The consultant’s report will be an internal TWB report. TWB reserves the right to edit and design it before publication.
Datasets, survey replies, transcripts, pictures and all other relevant information.
Timeframe: Anticipated a maximum 86 working days with 28 days falling between Jan - end March 2020 and the remainder from April - September 2020.
Information for budgeting
Please budget for all international flights and in-country associated costs such as hotels, local travel and per diem. All of these should be clearly costed in the proposal.
The costs of all staff associated with the research should be reflected in the proposal.
The costs of all activities e.g. refreshments for meetings, room use etc. should be reflected in the proposal.
The consultant will need to make contact with the local education partners organizations to arrange meetings with appropriate participants in the research. Time for arranging the meetings should be costed into the proposal
TWB will be responsible for language support including:
Simplification of agreed texts
Translation of agreed texts into at least 2 languages per identified area
Audio recordings of agreed texts
Illustrations associated with agreed texts
Translation of transcribed materials (such as meeting notes) from agreed source languages into English
In Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria, TWB will be able to provide a meeting space and accommodation at no cost.
Profile
The consultant should have a good understanding of language issues in humanitarian programming, a very good understanding of the humanitarian sector and its different stakeholders, and a strong sense of initiative. Practical experience of the Education sector in humanitarian or development settings and or in local capacity building projects is a definite plus. A background in communications would be a plus. Knowledge of TWB will be an advantage.
Requirements
Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing research, evaluations and studies
Demonstrated understanding of effective communication with different stakeholders
Excellent English writing skills
Working knowledge of French essential, Portuguese a plus
Qualitative and quantitative data analysis experience
Experience of leading field research teams and conducting research
Experience of research in the humanitarian or development contexts
Good understanding of research ethics and data management
Ability to work remotely without significant support
Experience of working with interpreters and translators
Core Values
Translators without Borders employees and volunteers are made of people who believe passionately about the value of this work and take personal responsibility for achieving the mission. Translators without Borders’ mission and organizational spirit embody the core values established in its strategic framework:
Excellence: As the leading voice for communicating humanitarian information in the right language, Translators without Borders is a leader in the translation industry and in the non-profit sector.
Integrity: Translators without Borders believes that every person, whether it’s the people who we serve, our volunteers or our staff, has value, deserves respect and has inherent dignity.
Empowerment: Translators without Borders believes in using language to empower people around the world to control their own development and destiny.
Innovation: Translators without Borders recognizes and celebrates the power of innovation to address humanitarian and crisis issues around the world.
Sustainability: Translators without Borders recognizes that meeting our mission necessitates establishment and maintenance of a solid financial and organizational infrastructure.
Tolerance: Our staff and volunteers are highly knowledgeable and skilled; value each other, our partner and our recipients; create a supportive work environment; and, conduct themselves professionally at all times.
Translators without Borders is an equal-opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion, and encourages qualified candidates of all genders and from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
How to apply:
Click here to apply