Focus Group Moderator/Facilitator

POSITION TITLE: Focus Group Moderator/Facilitator

REPORTS TO: IREX Program Representative

LOCATION: Remote (Northwest Syria).

ABOUT IREX

IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $80 million offices in 20 countries, and a global staff of 400. We work in more than 100 countries worldwide.

POSITION SUMMARY

IREX is seeking moderators/facilitators to plan, organize, and run remote focus groups around media content inside Northwest Syria for IREX’s Stabilization Through Media Partnerships II (STMPII) program. In cooperation with IREX, the moderator/facilitator(s) will create discussion guides and develop a participatory methodology to ensure that discussions run smoothly, stay on track, and deliver the needed information. The focus groups will take place remotely online, but participants will be located in cities/towns in Northwest Syria.

IREX will review and select candidates on a rolling basis for this position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

IREX will assign selected facilitators/moderators to the plan, organize, and run one or more focus groups under this assignment. Focus groups will be on media content created by IREX’s partners. Successful candidates will be able to run smooth, productive focus groups that encourage discussion amongst participants without influencing their opinions or comments.

Selected candidates will:

• In cooperation with the IREX team, plan, organize, and run remote focus groups inside Northwest Syria;

• In cooperation with the IREX team, create discussion guides and develop a participatory methodology intended to ensure the discussion runs smoothly, stays on track, and delivers the type of information needed;

• Lead focus group participants discussions;

• Guide discussions, encouraging group participants to share their thoughts and opinions about the topics at hand without influencing their opinions or giving the facilitator/moderator’s opinion;

• Process and structure focus group findings and conclusions;

• Provide regular debriefings to the IREX team on an as-needed basis with presentations and brief reports of focus groups conclusions;

• Prepare, deliver and file reports summarizing the findings after each focus group;

• Perform other responsibilities as requested.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• University graduate with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in quantitative and qualitative research (preferably in or on Syria);

• Strong facilitation, coordination, and communication skills;

• Strong writing and quantitative/qualitative analytical skills;

• Experience in online and offline facilitation (focus group facilitation preferred);

• Experience structuring and facilitating focus groups and/or workshops;

• Advanced or native fluency in written and spoken Arabic required

• Very good command of written and spoken English required

• Experience working in the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) geographic region is preferred.

• The abilities to:

• Put participants at ease

• Keep focus group discussions on track

• Encourage discussion while being careful not to influence opinions

• Be an excellent active listener

• Observe verbal and non-verbal behavior

• Ensure the participation of all participants in discussion

• Manage group dynamics (preventing an individual from dominating the discussion)

• Incorporate a mix of exercises to gather unbiased responses

• Facilitate, not participate

• Create an environment where participants share comfortably

• Work successfully and quickly under pressure

Attitudes:

• A strong commitment to IREX partners’ success
• Excellent communication skills and sensitivity toward those affected by conflict/displacement, needed to foster effective working relationships with IREX partner staff.
• Willingness to work in a flexible manner in terms of number of working hours, days of work; and,
• High ethical standards.

To Apply:  Please provide proposed rate in cover letter.

Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to a verbal interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Engagement will require a successful reference check.

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.

All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. AA/EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled