Final Evaluator for the Countering Online Antigypsyism and Cyberhate (COACH) programme
Apply by
29 Sep 2024
Title
Final Evaluator for the Countering Online Antigypsyism and Cyberhate (COACH) programme
Background of the project
Minority Rights Group Europe (MRGE), a Budapest-based non-governmental organization, is implementing a 2-years EU-funded programme called “Countering Online Antigypsyism and Cyberhate (COACH)” to counter illegal online hate speech against Roma in Slovakia and Bulgaria by supporting the development of balanced narratives online and promoting critical thinking in internet users. We are raising awareness about Roma rights and realities by disseminating accurate and positive narratives among internet users in the form of short films, infographics, photo stories, online articles and social media campaigns. We also aim to strengthen the knowledge of civil society organizations, activists and decision-makers about the scope of online hate speech and antigypsyism, and the best ways to counter it. Importantly, the programme aims to enhance collaboration between our partners and decision-makers when identifying weaknesses in the current regulatory framework and promote more efficient ways of addressing online hate speech.
See more about the project and Minority Rights Group and the programme here.
Results originally foreseen for the project:
The overall objective of this project is to counter illegal online hate speech against Roma by supporting the development of online balanced narratives and promoting critical thinking by internet users, particularly the youth, in Slovakia and Bulgaria.
Expected results:
- Increased positive and accurate counter narratives online regarding Roma communities.
- Improved data and analysis available regarding online hate speech in Slovakia and Bulgaria.
- Increased awareness among key stakeholders about antigypsyism, extremism and good practices to counter it.
- Enhanced collaboration between partners and decision-makers towards identifying the weaknesses of the current regulatory framework and more efficient ways of addressing online hate speech incidents.
Evaluation objectives of the final evaluation
- To assess the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact of the project in relation to the objectives and outputs set out in the “Countering Online Antigypsyism and Cyberhate (COACH)” Programme Document and to provide MRGE with an opportunity for ‘structured evaluative learning’, with the aim of learning from the programme design and implementation processes.
- Based on the findings of the evaluation, to develop a set of suggestions and key recommendations for MRGE and its partners’ future and continued activities.
- To report to the EU on the usage of their resources in the project.
Key evaluation questions
Outcome level
Where completed as planned, did the activities contribute to the planned results? Where this was so, refer to evidence. Where not so, explain what factors intervened and their impact. Explore ways that MRGE tried to overcome any problems and how successful this was (or not). Document any changes in the external environment that may have helped or hindered the project. If there were any unplanned results (positive or negative) explain what these were and how they came about. The evaluation should pay attention to and comment on the mainstreaming of gender and other forms of intersectional discrimination and cross-cutting issues in the project.
Impact Level
Define the expected results (short, medium, and long-term) of the project. What tangible and intangible impact did the project have on the target groups? What impact did the project have on Roma women? In what way was the gap identified reduced? How did the activities contribute to improving the situation (the difference between the situation at the start of the project and after its completion)? Did the project bring innovative solutions?
Guiding principles of the evaluation
The evaluator should take into consideration and respect gender and cultural sensitivity throughout the whole evaluation process. Appropriate ethical procedures should be established and included in the inception report and a formal ethical statement should be submitted. The evaluator is responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all the information gathered during the evaluation, particularly personal data of the beneficiaries and project staff, and the content of project documents. Data which permit personal identification should be deleted once the evaluation has been approved by MRGE and the donor.
Key deliverables
- Evaluation workplan/inception report.
- Preliminary findings (max. 3-5 pages) at the mid-term of the evaluation period.
- Final evaluation report (20-25 pages, excluding annexes), including an Executive Summary (2-3 pages). The final evaluation report will be full and detailed for internal use and for submission to the donor.
All deliverables should be written in English.
Key tasks
- Read all project materials and review feedback from project partners (including notes of meetings, publications, media coverage, social media monitoring documentation, campaign plans and products).
- Hold detailed discussions regarding project implementation, results and impact with MRGE and partner staff.
Please note: The evaluator is tasked with handling issues related to hate speech, security, and other relevant matters.
Experience and expertise required
- Extensive knowledge of and experience in human rights, minority rights, Roma rights and hate speech.
- Good knowledge of Slovakia and/or Bulgaria, including political, social, legal, media context, particularly with regards to the situation of Roma, hate speech and antigypsyism.
- Experience with comparative evaluations and strong track record of evaluations carried out in similar media, monitoring, capacity-building, advocacy and campaigning projects, preferably funded by the European Commission.
- Ability to speak, read and write fluently in English.
- Ability to speak, read and write Slovak and/or Bulgarian at a good level is desirable.
- Experience in advocacy, campaigning, online hate speech monitoring and work with Roma NGOs and in research would be an asset.
The evaluator will need to be independent of MRGE and its partner organizations, its donors, the beneficiaries and will need to demonstrate that no perceived or actual conflict of interest would arise during the evaluation. The evaluator will need to work within the timeframe outlined below.
The evaluator will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to gain the trust of the partner organizations and beneficiaries targeted in this project.
Report submission, timetable, and budget
The evaluator will start working before the project ends but some data will only be available after the project has closed (30 November 2024).
- The evaluation should be carried out between 15 October 2024 and 15 December 2024
- An inception report should be submitted by 1 November 2024
- A draft evaluation report should be submitted no later than 15 December 2024. A final report must be submitted no later than 20 January 2025.
Budget: Gross 3000 EUR (including applicable taxes, contributions, or 27% Hungarian VAT depending on the applicant’s status, travel costs etc.).
The budget includes evaluators’ fees, travel, communication, and all other related costs.
How to apply
If you are interested, please fill out the form below by 29 September 2024.
Please be as precise as possible. If you do not know, select ‘Other’.
Final Evaluator for the Countering Online Antigypsyism and Cyberhate (COACH) programme
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