Consultant: Climate Disinformation Baseline Study

• Job Title: Consultant: Climate Disinformation Baseline Study
• Organization Name: IRADA - Foundation for Research and Advocacy
• Number of Vacancies: 1
• Closing on: 2025-08-05

Interested applicants should provide the following before 5 pm on Sunday, Aug 3, 2025, at contact@iradapk.org

• CV(s) highlighting relevant experience (see 'Qualifications' above).
• Sample of past work on media research, including any on misinformation or climate communication.
• Technical proposal: Understanding, methodology, work plan, timeline.
• Financial proposal with cost breakdown.
• Two professional references.

Please mention "Expression of Interest - Climate Disinformation Baseline Study" in the subject line of the email.

Climate disinformation refers to the deliberate spread of false or misleading information about climate change, its causes, impacts, and potential solutions, with the intention to hinder effective climate action, according to the European Commission. The effects of climate disinformation might be especially severe for indigenous communities, which have a strong bond with the local environment but are also the most vulnerable to the adverse impact of climate change. Climate-related disinformation could not only undermine the traditional ecological knowledge passed down through the generations in the communities, but it could also create hurdles for climate adaptation and mitigation measures at the local level. In Pakistan, which is one of the most affected regions due to climate change, there is currently little concerted public awareness or publicly available documentation on the existence and impact of climate disinformation. Given the urgency of credible climate communication and effective climate action in the country, a baseline study could help improve the understanding of climate disinformation and steps to counter it.

Objective

The main objective of this assignment is to produce a country-level baseline study to assess the impact of disinformation on climate change and deforestation among indigenous peoples and other local communities mainly affected by the climate crisis.

The baseline study should identify the existence, nature, scale, and impact of climate-related mis- and disinformation in Pakistan and outline how disinformation on climate change and crisis impacts local communities. This would help develop evidence-based understanding for ways to support efforts to counter climate disinformation in the country through public interest journalism, fact-checks, and coalition-based climate action.

Scope of Work

The consultant will do the following:

• Desk Review: Collect data through desk research to frame climate disinformation and deforestation based on existing documentation, such as news reports, research studies etc. The consultant will develop a research framework (or use an already developed framework) to conduct the desk review.
• Content Analysis: Conduct a content analysis of media and social media data points to provide a qualitative understanding of how climate disinformation is distributed and received. The consultant will develop (or use an already developed) template to collect data for the content analysis.
• Typology Assessment: Undertake a typology assessment to cluster claims by theme (e.g., denial, delay, greenwashing, conspiracies) and by whether they are misinformation or disinformation.
• Field research:
  • Develop guidelines for Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and FGDs;
  • Prepare a list of key informants to be interviewed.
  • Conduct interviews of key informants and prepare reports thereof; and
  • Identify key stakeholders from amongst the climate communication experts, fact-checkers, affected communities, key stakeholders, including representatives from INGOs, local CSOs, and members of indigenous communities for FGDs;
  • Conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders and prepare reports thereof.
• Impact Analysis: Undertake evaluation of how climate disinformation affects public perception, trust in climate science, and specific audiences (e.g., marginalized groups, journalists, and indigenous communities), to be included in the final report.
• Policy Recommendations: Offer policy recommendations for, but not limited to, the UN member states, INGOs, government, local CSOs, media sector, technology companies, etc.
• Produce a comprehensive report covering findings, impact analysis,s and recommendations, based on the primary and secondary data collected through the research process.

The methodology of the baseline study will consist of two main components – desk research and field research:

• Desk research: The desk research phase will involve a review of primary and secondary sources. These sources will include relevant documents from international organisations, such as United Nations reports, as well as national legal frameworks that pertain to climate change and Indigenous rights. Additionally, reports produced by international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and local civil society organisations (CSOs) will be examined to gain insights into existing data and perspectives on the issue.

The desk research will also include a content analysis of media and social media data points, providing a qualitative understanding of how climate disinformation is being disseminated and its reach within each country.

The data collected in this stage will provide a comprehensive understanding of climate disinformation as a problem and will also point to the knowledge gap that the reports will address.

• Field research: Upon completion of desk research, primary data will be collected through face-to-face and online Key Informant Interviews (Klls). The exact number of participants for these research methods will be determined at a later stage, but the aim is to engage with individuals who have deep knowledge of climate change, disinformation, and Indigenous rights. KIIs will be conducted with key stakeholders, including representatives from INGOs, local CSOs, and members of Indigenous communities. The KIIs aim to fill the knowledge gaps identified in the desk research phase.

Finally, face-to-face and online FGDs will be organised with participants from INGOs, CSOs, and indigenous communities to gather further direct insights on climate disinformation. The FGDs aim to validate the preliminary findings stemming from desk research and KIIs and draft a set of policy recommendations for key stakeholders to address climate disinformation. The number of FGDs and participants will be determined at a later stage.

• Draft Inception Report: Based on scope of work and methodology and approach.
• Conduct Research: Based on the above-mentioned methodology, collect data and insights through, among others, desk research, FGDs and KIIs.
• Draft Baseline Report: Based on the above-mentioned methodology and approach. Includes findings, analysis of prevalent claims and themes, stakeholder insights, and impact assessment.
• Final Baseline Report (max 20 pages, excluding annexes): Include executive summary, methodology, findings, recommendations for counter-messaging and future research.

Timeline

Total duration: Six weeks from contract start, with key milestones:

• Week 1: Inception report
• Week 2-3: Data collection & field research
• Week 4: Analysis & drafting
• Week 5: Draft report review
• Week 6: Final report submission, incorporating feedback

Reporting & Institutional Relationships

• The consultant will report to the designated Project Lead.
• Where advised, liaise with donor representatives, whose inputs will be incorporated in strategies and drafts.
• Regular progress updates and a mid-point debrief are expected.
• Final deliverables are to be submitted to the Project Lead.

The consultant should have:

• Preferably Master's degree in climate science, communication, social sciences, or related field OR equivalent work experience?.
• Strong media research background, particularly in misinformation/disinformation issues and their interface with climate topics.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods and tools.
• Familiarity with fact-checking platforms, verification protocols, and scientific consensus on climate topics.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, and ability to communicate complex issues to non-technical audiences.
• Experience from the past three years in similar baseline studies or climate communication projects.