Research Consultant for Damascus Artisans Assessment

Background:

The craft heritage sector in Damascus is vital for preserving Syria’s cultural identity and supporting economic resilience. This rapid assessment seeks to evaluate the sector’s current status, challenges, and opportunities, focusing on the impact of the Syria crisis. A key objective of the assessment is to identify and flag prominent workshops that play a critical role in retaining Levantine cultural heritage.

Context:

The Turquoise Mountain Institute of Design, Crafts and Economic Development proudly leads the way in embracing and reviving traditional crafts and sustaining economic growth. Committed to championing the exceptional cultural heritage of the Levant, the Institute’s ambition is to strengthen the unique cultural and creative industries. Through a comprehensive educational program, members of the Institute learn the skills needed to succeed in the crafts sector. This facilitates artisans to attain financial autonomy by launching their enterprises and actively contributing to the economy.

Objectives of the Role:

The Research Consultant will:

1. Plan, implement, and complete the Damascus Artisans Assessment.
2. Finalize the survey form drafted by Turquoise Mountain and ensure its suitability for fieldwork.
3. Hire, recruit and manage the interviewer team in Damascus.
4. Conduct a thorough assessment to flag the most prominent workshops that preserve Levantine craft heritage.
5. Deliver a high-quality report with actionable insights, managing all associated costs within the consultancy fee of $10,000 USD. (this includes surveyors payment and cost)

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities:

The Research Consultant will:

• Survey Finalization and Preparations:
  • Finalize the survey form drafted by Turquoise Mountain to ensure it meets the objectives of the assessment.
  • Translate into arabic
  • Design tools to capture key information, including criteria to identify and flag workshops that are critical to retaining Levantine craft heritage.
  • Procure and set up IT tools for data collection (e.g., tablets, software).
• Team Recruitment and Coordination:
  • Recruit and train a local team of surveyors, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and tools.
  • Collaborate with a Syrian artisan from Turquoise Mountain acting as a fixer for logistical and cultural support.
  • Conduct training sessions to prepare the survey team in data collection techniques, ethics, and tool usage.
• Fieldwork Implementation:
  • Pilot the survey in selected workshops to test and refine the methodology as needed.
  • Implement the main data collection phase, ensuring comprehensive coverage of at least 30 craft workshops in Damascus.
  • Identify and flag prominent workshops that are vital for retaining Levantine cultural heritage based on predefined criteria.
  • Reconcile and verify collected data to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Data Analysis and Reporting:
  • Conduct preliminary data analysis to identify key trends and insights.
  • Highlight workshops playing a significant role in preserving Levantine heritage in the final report.
  • Prepare and submit a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations, supported by visual data representation.

Deliverables:

• Finalized survey form and data collection tools.
• A trained team of surveyors and a Syrian artisan fixer from Turquoise Mountain.
• Results of the pilot phase, including adjustments to the methodology if needed.
• Verified datasets from at least 30 craft workshops.
• A final report (minimum 5 pages), including:
• Key findings and trends.
• Identification of workshops critical to Levantine cultural heritage preservation.
• Visual data representation (e.g., graphs, tables).
• Practical recommendations for supporting the craft heritage sector.
• Presentation of findings to key stakeholders.

Duration and Timeline

• Start Date: January 2025
• End Date: March 2025

Key milestones include:

• January 31st 2025: Finalize survey form, recruit and train the team, and conduct pilot testing.
• February 28th 2025: Implement data collection and reconciliation.
• March 20th 2025: Analyze findings, flag prominent workshops, and submit the final report.

Budget:

The total consultancy fee is $10,000 USD, which includes:

• Recruitment, training, and management of the survey team.
• Collaboration with a Syrian artisan fixer from Turquoise Mountain.
• Report to TM deputy Levant director.
• Procurement and setup of IT tools for data collection.
• Travel, logistics, and operational costs for fieldwork in Damascus.
• All other costs related to the survey’s implementation, including pilot testing and data reconciliation.

The Research Consultant is responsible for managing all expenses within this budget.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Cultural Studies, or related fields.
• Proven experience in leading research projects, particularly in challenging or conflict-affected contexts.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and reporting skills.
• Familiarity with Syria’s socio-cultural and economic dynamics is highly desirable.
• Fluency in Arabic and English (required).

Reporting:

The Research Consultant will report to TM deputy Levant director, providing regular updates on:

• Finalization of the survey form and data collection tools.
• Recruitment and training progress.
• Pilot phase implementation and adjustments.
• Data collection milestones, including flagged prominent workshops.
• Preliminary findings and final report.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit the application via this link and include the following in the PDF format.

• A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience.
• A brief proposal outlining their approach to the assessment (max 2 pages).
• A statement confirming acceptance of the $10,000 USD consultancy fee to cover all costs.
• Contact information for two references.