Design and implement a targeted public opinion research

Service Provider (Company or Civil Society Organization)

1. Background

“Support to Electoral Reforms in North Macedonia” is a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), implemented by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and its partner National Youth Council of Macedonia (NYCM).

The project overall objective (goal) is to support democratic and credible election processes that facilitate political participation and social integration by enabling voters to freely select their representatives and hold them accountable.

The project activities are designed to support this objective through the achievement of three outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Strengthened institutions conduct fair and efficient election processes
• Outcome 2: Internally democratized political parties present citizen-oriented policies and election programs
• Outcome 3: Empowered citizens hold political parties and elected officials accountable

A significant component of Outcome 2 is dedicated to building capacities of the Research and Analytical Centers (RACs)[1] of the political parties to conduct evidence-based researches that will feed into drafting of party programs which respond to citizens’ needs and priorities.

To understand citizens’ perceptions and needs and assist RACs and parties to create citizens-oriented policies and programs, as one of the outcomes of the project, among others, IFES plans to support the RACs with the collection and analysis of data on citizens’ perceptions and needs for the upcoming local elections, planned for October 2021.

In this sense, IFES will support the RACs to conduct a number of public opinion research on national level aimed to contribute in developing evidence-based party election program(s). The specific topics of the research will be additionally proposed and agreed upon between the service provider, each RAC and IFES.

1.        OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the assignment is to design and conduct a regional based research on citizens’ perception satisfaction and needs for the upcoming local elections, on specific topics, which will be additionally agreed with the specific RAC and IFES. The scope of the research will be the mini-region including the city of Tetovo and the surrounding municipalities Brvenica, Tearce and Bogovinje.

The assignment will result in identifying societal issues and problems, and contribute in assisting the RAC and the political party to define ideological solutions and create evidence-based policies, when competing in the upcoming local elections.

The service provider will work under the guidance of IFES and in close cooperation with the specific RAC. In addition, the service provider should involve RAC representatives in all stages of research undertakings to the extend possible. Furthermore, in the process of the implementation of the survey, the service provider should collaborate with an International Research Expert (engaged by IFES) in case additional support and guidance to the process are needed.

• Specific tasks 

Having in mind the objectives of the TOR, the company shall work on the following set of tasks:

• Preparation of methodology and respondents list by using a representative sampling method

The company will be required to propose methodologies and approach, which will address different scenarios, having in mind the environment and conditions for conducting a research with representation according to the scope of the research i.e. targeting the above mentioned mini-region[2].  The service provider shall also propose technical services to carry out the public opinion poll, including preparation and presentation of the methodology for sampling and data collection. The polling shall be based on a stratified random sample with a margin of error no greater than 3%. There will be a requirement also to disaggregate findings along developmentally relevant lines (including gender, age, and ethnicity, education, employment, electoral district, planning region, location and income of respondents).

• Designing structured questionnaire(s)

Once the respondents list is established, the company in close collaboration with the RAC, and input from IFES and the International Research Expert will prepare the questionnaire. IFES expects the service provider to indicate the optimum number and types of questions suited to the polling methodology and achieving the desired objectives.

• Carrying out the research

Once the questions are agreed with and cleared by IFES and the RAC, the company is expected to conduct the research based on the agreed methodology. The polling shall be anonymous, but evidence shall be provided that all methodological diligence has been applied to ensure representativeness of the sample.  As per the terms of IFES, all data thus generated shall be the property of IFES and the donor.

The company should report back to IFES on the findings of the pilot test and discuss any possible changes to the questions or recommendations based on it.

• Deliver presentation (s) and interpretation of the findings

The Service Provider will prepare thorough analysis of the findings (the format shall be agreed during the process). IFES and the International Research Expert shall provide input and comments to the report.  The Service provider shall address all comments and input provided and once finalized and approved by IFES will deliver presentation (s) with the party, donor and other stakeholders if needed. The Service Provider will give the raw data to the specific RAC for further analysis and use of the data. The aim of this task is to provide RAC with knowledge and data for further analysis and preparation of evidence-based policies and programs.

• Preparation of report/presentation on the research and findings of the public opinion poll

Based on the research and the findings of the poll, the company shall prepare a report in form of a presentation, including quantitative and qualitative analysis of responses and analysis of relevant demographic data of the conducted survey.  The service provider should ensure that data analysis and report preparation aspects of the research are demonstrated to the RAC representatives.

All deliverables should be proposed to match the environment and the conditions in the country or/and offer possibility for adjustment if needed.  Furthermore, all deliverables will be prepared in both English and Macedonian language.

Deliverables

The following deliverables are anticipated within the assignment:

• Prepared at least 2 proposal methodologies for conducting the research (telephone and face-to face), suggest timeline of activities and finalization of the respondents list/sampling.
• Questionnaire
• Carried out research as per the agreed methodology with IFES
• Meetings/presentations with RAC, IFES and the International Research expert on the questionnaire and with focus on interpretation and analysis of the findings.
• One integral report including the completed research and data aggregation and analysis
• One (1) presentation of the research findings for the RAC and the political party
• One (1) presentation of the research findings for the donor and IFES
• Raw data obtained from the research
• If needed the Service Provider will conduct additional presentations of the findings, in coordination with IFES and the RAC

All deliverables will be subject to final clearance upon quality assurance by the IFES.

1. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The overall duration of this assignment is estimated to cover a period of three months, i.e., May-July, whereas July will be mainly dedicated for the presentation of the findings and closure of the contract. The Service Provider is expected to conduct the research early June, upon agreement with IFES and the RAC. In the offer, the company should propose a tentative timeline for the indicated deliverables for this assignment.

1. SERVICE PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRMENTS

Company/CSO

Prospective service provider must provide the following information for their response and offer to be considered.

A brief outline/profile of the company/CSO and services offered, including:

• Full legal name and address of the company /CSO
• Corporate and tax Registration Documents
• Year business was started or established
• Full name of the legal representative (president or managing director) of the company/CSO
• Name of any individuals or entities that own 50% of more of the company /CSO, if applicable
• Demonstrated organizational competence and experience with polling and an outstanding track record of working on complex multidisciplinary projects (list of reference projects shall be included i.e. a list of at least 5 large (country-wide) and relevant surveys based on representative statistical sample of the population and by using face to face method.
• Demonstrated organizational capacity to produce and analyse high quality and accurate data.
• Proven experience in working with national and/or local institutions, and with local governments.
• Proven expertise in working with political parties (at list 3 large (country wide) surveys executed for political parties)
• Experience in working with international institutions will be an asset.

Prospective service provider must be legally registered under the laws of the country in which they are organized and possess all licenses, permits and government approvals necessary for performance of the terms of reference.

Team’s qualifications

A qualified expert team shall be assigned as per the qualification requirements:   The team shall have a Team Leader and a minimum of 2 additional experts. For all team members, the list of relevant projects/assignments shall be indicated. The CVs of the technical/administrative staff shall be included in the proposal as well.

Team Leader

• Minimum a master’s degree in social sciences or other relevant fields
• At least 7 years of professional experience particularly as relates to statistics and random sampling, research, analysis and reporting
• Experience working with political parties in the country. Working with the Research and Analytical Centres of the parties would be considered as an asset.
• Proven experience in designing of questionnaires and research.
• Proven experience as a project/team Leader working on minimum 5 relevant projects (List of relevant projects/assignments shall be indicated)

Expert (x 2)

• Minimum University degree (political science, statistics, other related/relevant field) Advanced degree will be an asset.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in polling, statistics, data analysis including a minimum of three relevant
• Proven experience on at least 3 relevant assignments/projects.

(List of relevant projects/assignments shall be indicated)

The service provider can suggest additional non key experts.

1. Proposal and criteria for selecting the best offer

Service Provider is expected to submit both the Technical and Financial Proposals. Having in mind the COVID-19 restrictions, including social distancing, the service provider should propose methodology (with possible alternatives) for conducting the research adapted to the current environment and conditions. The technical proposal should consist of the: Proposed approach and methodology (1 telephone and 1 face to face) including quality assurance mechanisms that will be put in place; Company/CSOs profile including the experience of the service provider; Description of the Experience and Expertise of the Team.

 Financial Proposal should include all required costs such as labour cost travel costs, communication costs, costs of preparing the soft and hard copies of required documents and any other relevant costs regarding this assignment. The cost should be presented as lump sum per deliverable. If there is a need for organizational/ logistic costs venues for the presentation and the consultation meetings, it will be covered by IFES and shall not be included in the financial proposal.

The service provider will be evaluated based on the following conditions:

Technical proposal weights 80% and financial proposal 20%. The technical proposal will be evaluated based on the criterion in the table below. The financial proposal must be reasonable and show efficient use of resources, and additional costs, if any, must be clearly identified. Offers will be compared amongst responsive bidders meeting technical requirements.

[1] Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), VMRO-DPMNE, Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) and Alliance for Albanians

[2] City of Tetovo and the municipality of Brvenica, Tearce and Bogovinje.