With funding from, and in collaboration with, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Arab Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS) seeks to commission a Research Team to conduct a ‘Baseline Study of Higher Education and Research in Palestine’. Those interested are advised to read the Terms of Reference and send the following documents to admin@theacss.org by November 30, 2017:
- Letter of interest that includes relevant experience such as similar studies conducted by the Team members
- Description of the Baseline Study methodology (maximum 2 pages)
- Work plan that lists the main steps involved in the Baseline Study process and a timeline for the Baseline Study
- Baseline Study budget
- Description of the Research Team and the roles and responsibilities of various team members
- CVs of all team members, including the publications list for team members this applies to
For any inquiries, please write to: assm@theacss.org.
------------------------------------------------------
Brief Description
Purpose of the Baseline Study
The purpose of the Baseline Study is to (1) obtain an overview of the current state of Higher Education and Research (HE/R) systems and structures in Palestine, and (2) survey the social sciences and humanities (SSH) research infrastructure and the characteristics and qualifications of social sciences and humanities researchers in Palestine.
Assumptions and Risks
-
The Baseline Study should factor in the specific political and economic conditions and constraints within which knowledge production takes place.
-
The challenges of communication and mobility between different parts of Palestine must be integrated into the research design and data collection.
Outputs
The information collected will be presented in a Report which fully reflects the Terms of Reference and is the main output of the Baseline Study. The Report shall be available to the public via Sida. The information collected will also be integrated into the ACSS databases and made publically available. Other possible outputs include ACSS policy briefs and analytical reports. There will be Sida and ACSS dissemination events of the Baseline Study findings for which PowerPoint presentations and other material will be produced.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Initial briefing/Preparatory meeting (virtual meeting)
- Prepare a detailed work plan and timetable for accomplishing all tasks
- Prepare a detailed budget
- Conduct a review of relevant literature on higher education and research
- Map the infrastructure of social sciences and humanities
- Develop the methodology for the sample survey of individual social scientists. The methodology will include the Target Population, Sampling Frame, Sampling Method, etc.
- Develop/Adapt data collection instruments for the Baseline Study (in consultation with the ACSS, Sida and the Swedish Consulate-General in Jerusalem)
- Data collection using data collection instruments developed/adapted
- Data analysis
- Preparation of draft Report
- Revisions based on peer review and input from the ACSS, Sida and the Swedish Consulate-General in Jerusalem
- Preparation of final Report
- Presentation of Baseline Study findings to the ACSS and Sida
- Participate in the dissemination of Baseline Study findings
Deliverables
- Detailed work plan and timetable (January 31, 2018)
- Budget (January 31, 2018)
- Methodology (February 28, 2018)
- Facilitation of expert meeting to review methodology (February 28, 2018)
- Data collection instruments (March 31, 2018)
- 2 interim progress reports (March 31, 2018 and May 31, 2018)
- Draft Report (June 30, 2018)
- Facilitation of review meeting of Draft Report (June 30, 2018)
- Final Report and Executive Summary (July 31, 2018)
- PowerPoint presentation (August 31, 2018)
- One or two dissemination activities including at Sida Headquarters
Duration of the Baseline Study
The assignment will be initiated January 1, 2018 and completed no later than September 30, 2018.
Estimated Implementation Schedule:
-
January – March 2018: Development of detailed work plan, timetable, budget, survey methodology, data collection instrument
-
April – May 2018: Data collection, with periodic consultation meetings and coordination with all stakeholders
-
June – July 2018: Report writing and submission
-
August– September 2018: Production of final Report in Arabic and English
-
October – November 2018: Dissemination activities
Discrepancies between the planned and actual implementation schedule of the Baseline Study must be explained in the Report.
Budget
The overall budget for the design and implementation of the Baseline Study is $90,000. Expenses related to convening of review meetings and dissemination activities will be borne by the ACSS.
Qualifications and/or Specialized Knowledge/Experience of Baseline Study Team
The Baseline Study Team shall consist of a team of researchers led by a Lead Researcher. At least one senior member of the Team should be resident in Palestine or highly familiar with higher education in Palestine. Senior team members, other than the Lead Researcher, should have a minimum of a Master’s degree. It is preferable that one senior member of the Team have work experience outside Palestine. The Team members should be independent scholars who are not part of the Ministry of Education or University boards or administration.
Lead Researcher Qualifications:
-
PhD in a relevant area with a minimum of 10-year experience in survey design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative research and research management.
-
Currently active researcher with up-to-date record of publications.
-
Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English.
For detailed information on the study and its deliverables, please read the Terms of Reference.