Research Analysis and Editorial Consultant 

The East Asia (EA) Higher Education Partnerships (HEP) team is currently undertaking a HEP Insights Research project by gathering and analyzing higher education (HE) insights from key higher education sector stakeholders about the implications of Covid-19 on the HE landscapes in the UK and in EA. The purpose of this research is to gather insights about the impact of Covid-19 on the Higher Education Sectors in East Asia, which can be analysed and reported to the UK HEIs to help them develop responses future engagement with East Asia, both during and beyond the pandemic.  The research findings will also be relevant to UK policy-makers, providing a snapshot of the state of the HE sector in East Asia as it confronts the current crisis, as well as providing the British Council with intelligence to help it formulate its future strategy in supporting the UK sector to realise its international ambitions. 

The team is currently seeking an experienced Research Analyst and Editorial Consultant to undertake data analysis in collaboration with a small team, develop storyboarding, production planning and editorial writing up the findings and contributing to the production of a series of 9 research reports and related executive summaries, webinars and blogs, assist with developing ways in which data can be presented through graphs and other visual means so that it is easily understood and accessible to key external stakeholders and contribute to the further development of the Insights analytical framework and methodology of our research.

Introduction and Background to the Project

The East Asia (EA) Higher Education Partnerships (HEP) team is currently undertaking a HEP Insights Research project by gathering and analyzing higher education (HE) insights from key higher education sector stakeholders about the implications of Covid-19 on the HE landscapes in the UK and in EA. The purpose of this research is to gather insights about the impact of Covid-19 on the Higher Education Sectors in East Asia, which can be analysed and reported to the UK HEIs to help them develop responses future engagement with East Asia, both during and beyond the pandemic.The research findings will also be relevant to UK policy-makers, providing a snapshot of the state of the HE sector in East Asia as it confronts the current crisis, as well as providing the British Council with intelligence to help it formulate its future strategy in supporting the UK sector to realise its international ambitions.

Objectives of HEP Insights Project 

The insights gathered will be utilized to:

• In the short to medium term, inform our approach to the sector and help us to identify key themes which may form the basis of EA/ASEAN/UK digital policy dialogues/ thought leadership forums

• In the medium to long term, inform the re-design of our ways of working, the development of a new operating model, and enable us to structure our unique long-term approach in our engagement with partners 

• Feed into our communication and monitoring and evaluation strategies to ensure that we are sharing knowledge effectively, and that the outputs of the three areas of work are mutually reinforcing, so that our engagement with the HE sector is informed, joined-up and systematic.

Anticipated Outputs of the HEP Insights project

A. Insights Reports (Total 3 Reports)

We will produce three East Asia Insights reports which will compare countries/territories experiences and responses to Covid-19 across all eight thematic question areas. These reports will cover the following:

• Report 1. Will provide high level insights into the impact of Covid-19 on the Higher Education Sector across East Asia.

• Report 2. Will provide a more focused analysis and insights into the impact of Covid-19 on the Higher Education sectors in ASEAN.

• Report 3 Will provide a more focused analysis and insights into the impact of Covid-19 on the Higher Education sectors in the non-ASEAN developed economies of East Asia.

B. In Focus series (Total 6 Reports)

In addition, there will be a series of 6 focused reports based on information gathered on thematic question areas. These will provide a more in-depth analysis and comparison between countries/territories and geo-political groupings.

 

For more information, please click on the below sections. 

Scope of Work for Consultant

• To engage in initial consultancy and ongoing discussions with the British Council HE Insights team, in order to ensure understanding and alignment on the research concept, implementation plan and British Council’s brand consistency.

• To prepare a production plan, methodology and timetable for data analysis and editorial writing, and make every effort to ensure it is adhered to.

• To undertake an in-depth country level, regional and thematic analysis of the Higher Education Insights data across 12 countries in East Asia, in collaboration with the Insights team.

• In consultation with the Insights team, to develop a storyboard which includes a series of questions that lead to the production of clear and compelling narrative reports based on the insights research and data analysis.

• Based on the agreed storyboard, to lead on editorial content writing of the findings of the analysis and produce a series of 9 research reports together with related narratives, executive summaries, webinars and blogs.

• To proof read and copy-edit the draft versions of all 9 reports paying attention to clarity of content, overall organisation, coherence of analysis, references, use of English etc.

• To assist with developing ways in which data can be presented through graphs and other visual means so that it is easily understood and accessible to key external stakeholders.

• To send the final edited manuscripts for each of the 9 reports and related narratives to the British Council, ensuring consistency of format and following British Council tone of voice.

• As needed, to advise the British Council on other production issues and further development of the Insights analytical framework and methodology.

• To liaise with the British Council throughout the project and respond promptly to any communications, including sending a succinct update to the British Council if requested on progress with the project, work completed, and any problematic issues

Criteria and Skills for Consultant

• Experience and understanding of qualitative research methods and analysis. This may have been gained from studying for a higher degree and/or from working in a research focused role in a university, consultancy, marketing agency or other research focused enterprise.

• Proven analytical skills.

• Good knowledge and understanding of Excel.

• Evidence of having undertaken editorial work for high level reports, proceedings etc.

• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.

• Ability to work as part of a small team, and to work independently as directed by the Insights team leads.

• Willingness and ability to contribute to the development of approaches to researching, analysing, comparing and reporting insights from the East Asia HE Sector.

• Knowledge of the UK and East Asian HE sectors.

• Previous experience of co-ordinating research projects a plus.

• Persistence, self-motivation, versatility, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are a must.

Deliverables for Consultant

• Undertake data analysis in collaboration with a small team.

• Undertake storyboarding, production planning and editorial writing up the findings and contributing to the production of a series of 9 research reports and related executive summaries, webinars and blogs.

• Assist with developing ways in which data can be presented through graphs and other visual means so that it is easily understood and accessible to key external stakeholders

• Contribute to the further development of the Insights analytical framework and methodology.

The documents that must be submitted to form your tender response are listed in the Request for Propsal document below. The deadline for submission of proposals and supporting documents is on the 10th of November, 17:00 Malaysian Time. Please send proposals and supporting documents to Prabha.Sundram@britishcouncil.org. 

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