One month Research Assignment - Durban
Call for a Durban-based Researcher in South Africa
As poor people have unequal access to decision-making and policy influence in comparison with other social groups, they (and organisations representing or working with them) have in principle a strong interest in articulating and amplifying their views in order to influence public attitudes and policy opinion. They need communication to build a crucial body of pressure and support for their views and positions to be recognised, lest they be outweighed by those with greater political voice and power.
Panos Southern Africa is planning an action research intended to explore the challenges and opportunities for given poor communities to make their views known and have their interests recognised, be this through their own communication outlets, outlets created by their governments or through other communication channels (such as through NGOs and civil society organisations). Their inclusion/exclusion from communication channels and policy influence could be contrasted, insofar as time, resources and access to information make it possible, with the access enjoyed by powerful groups.
Through the action research, Panos wishes to gain a strategic snapshot of the structures and dynamics of communication as they affect key areas of policy-making relevant to poverty reduction, focusing in particular on the potential to strengthen the representation and inclusion of poor people’s views.
The action research will assess the inclusiveness and effectiveness of communication channels at both national and local/grassroots levels, with a view to considering how they can achieve wider impact and be better connected. The findings will be used to develop and promote recommendations (to be published as a case study) for how the approach of different actors can be strengthened.
This is a two month assignment involving both desktop and field research.
Part 1: Mapping of key processes/issues and relevant policy and actors.
Part 2 will consist of field research (Maputaland/Jozini as a case-study) to explore the issues thrown up by the information gathering and contact-making conducted in Part 1
A report (20 pages maximum. excluding appendices) will be produced, based on the findings of the contextual mapping and the field research. Analysing the strengths and weaknesses of communication approaches and practices of policy makers, and with recommendations for how they can be made more inclusive and effective
Kindly send your CV to ameck98 [at] gmail [dot] com if interested in this assignment in your country.
Panos will pay $1500 for this assignment. Assignment is for a month and should be finished by May 2010.
