Request for Applications for Trust Building and Civic Engagement Study in Moldova

Introduction and Background  

International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) is implementing a local governance strengthening program, Comunitatea Mea (CM), in Moldova. IREX will conduct a cross-sectional study to examine the potential associations between CM program activities and levels of trust in local government and civic engagement in Moldova. This research aims to explore how CM activities may relate to trust-building and civic participation in partner communities.  

The study will address the following research questions:  

1. To what extent do community members and local government officials perceive that local governments in CM communities demonstrate competence, show good intent, and promote belonging?  

2. What are the current levels of trust in local government among community members in CM communities, and how do these levels relate to perceptions of local governments' competence, good intent, and belonging-promotion?  

3. What specific practices or strategies do local governments use to demonstrate competence, show good intent, and promote belonging, and how effective are these practices perceived to be by community members and local officials?  

Duration of Assignment and Indicative Time Frame of Various Tasks  

The consultant is expected to complete the assignment within 11-13 weeks, divided into the following phases:  

• Phase I: Preparation and Training (2 weeks)  

• Phase II: Data Collection (6-8 weeks)  

• Quantitative survey: 4-6 weeks  

• Qualitative data collection: 3-4 weeks (overlapping)  

• Phase III: Data Entry, Cleaning, and Initial Analysis (3 weeks)  

Budget range for this activity: $25,000-$35,000 

Proposed Methodology: 

The study will employ a mixed-methods approach: 
 

1. Quantitative Component: Three sampling options are proposed:  
   
   a. Minimum Approach: 10-15 communities, 500-1,125 residents, 100-150 officials  
   
   b. Intermediate Approach: 20-25 communities, 1,200-2,000 residents, 200-250 officials  
   
   c. Ideal Approach: 30-40 communities, 1,500-2,400 residents, 300-400 officials  

Sampling method: Multi-stage stratified random sampling, considering region, urban/rural classification, length of CM involvement, and level of Community Development Project implementation. 

2. Qualitative Component: Three options corresponding to the quantitative approaches:  
   
   a. Minimum: 20-25 in-depth interviews, 4-5 focus groups  
   
   b. Intermediate: 30-40 in-depth interviews, 6-8 focus groups  
   
   c. Ideal: 40-50 in-depth interviews, 8-10 focus groups 
    

Qualification, Skills, and Experience:  

• Proven experience in conducting mixed-methods research in Moldova.  

• Capability to manage large-scale surveys and qualitative data collection.  

• Strong analytical and presentation skills and familiarity with online training or meeting platforms.  

• Excellent English communication and writing skills. Fluency in Romanian, Russian, and English preferred.  

• Familiarity with trust, local governance and civic engagement topics.  

• Strong data management and quality control procedures.  

• Experience in data security and ethical research practices.  

Responsibilities  

IREX will be responsible for: 

1. Overall research design 

2. Development of survey instruments and interview guides 

3. Data analysis 

4. Reporting 

5. Ensuring alignment with IREX's trust-building framework and CM program goals 

The consultant/ research company will:  

1. Conduct all data collection activities, including quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews/focus groups  

2. Recruit participants based on criteria provided by IREX  

3. Manage logistics for all field activities  

4. Implement quality control measures for data collection  

5. Perform data entry and cleaning  

6. Provide raw data, transcripts, and field notes to IREX  

7. Prepare descriptive statistics and data summary for the quantitative data  

8. Conduct basic analysis of qualitative data, including key themes and illustrative quotes  

9. Adhere to data security and ethical guidelines  

10. Provide translation services from Romanian/Russian to English  

11. Conduct pilot testing of research instruments  

12. Coordinate regularly with IREX team  

Consultant/research company deliverables:  

1. Data collection plan  

2. Weekly progress reports during data collection  

3. Clean, labeled dataset from quantitative survey  

4. Transcripts and notes from all qualitative interviews and focus groups  

5. Descriptive statistics report for quantitative data  

6. Summary report of qualitative data  

7. Field report summarizing data collection process, challenges, and initial observations  

8. All raw data files (e.g., audio recordings, original notes)  

9. Translated versions of all data and reports in English  

Proposal Evaluation Criteria:  

The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:  

• Technical approach and understanding of the research objectives (25%)  

• Qualifications and experience of the proposed consultant/team (20%)  

• Feasibility of the proposed timeline and methodology (15%)  

• Quality of previous work examples and sample descriptive statistics report (15%)  

• Strength of data security measures and ethical considerations (10%)  

• Quality assurance procedures and approach to translation (10%)  

• Overall cost-effectiveness of the proposal (5%)  

Renewal  

IREX reserves the right, based on funding availability and consultant/firm performance, to enter into subsequent contractual agreements with the winning consultant/firm for up to three years without issuing a new RFP.  

How to apply:  

To Apply     
 
Interested consultants are invited to submit the following by August 24, 2024, to Isabella Petros-Weber (ipetros-weber@irex.org):  

1. A technical proposal outlining the methodology and strategy for implementing the research, qualifications/skills, and experience matching the consultancy's requirements as well as a budget break breakdown.  

2. List of 3 references  

3. Examples of comparable work conducted in Moldova or a similar country.  

4. Outline of data security measures and ethical guidelines  

5. Approach to translation and ensuring accuracy  

6. For individual consultants: An updated Curriculum Vitae. For research firms: Team composition and qualifications of key personnel  

 EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer    

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.    

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities   

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)   

 All proposals must be valid for at least sixty (60) calendar days from the submission deadline.