October 2014
REMU
British Council Pakistan
Terms of Reference (TORs) for report writing services
‘CROSS CULTURAL STUDY;
PERCEPTIONS OF YOUNG PAKISTANIS IN THE UK AND IN PAKISTAN;
IDENTITY, VALUES, AND ASPIRATIONS.’
Position: Consultancy for report writing services
Apply by:
Start date:
End date:
26th October 2014
5th November 2014
5th January 2015
Background: The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational
opportunities and cultural relations. British Council Pakistan manages a range of activities
that sit within four strategic business units (SBUs): English, Arts, Education, and Society. In
addition, the Research, Evaluation and Monitoring Unit (REMU) was created last year to
elevate the British Council as a thought leader and to add depth, evidence, and thus
credibility to our SBUs programmes. REMU has published many successful research reports
in line with the global trend of individual empowerment1 including; ‘Pakistan’s Creative
Industries’, and ‘Mainstreaming Disability in Pakistan’.
British Council Pakistan also began ‘The Next Generation Research Series’ in 2009 which
brought the opinions and perspectives of young people in Pakistan to the forefront of policy
debates. REMU supports the appeal made in these reports for Pakistan to harness the
potential of its young people. We believe that the individual empowerment of young
Pakistanis in both Pakistan and in the UK is a crucial determining element in the future of
Pakistan. As the British Council is a cultural relations organisation, we also see this as an
opportunity to do more to engage with diaspora populations living in the UK.
Project description: ‘Perceptions of young Pakistanis in the UK and in Pakistan’ aims to
increase our understanding of the socio economic implications that values, identity and
aspirations of young Pakistani’s have on livelihood. We are primarily concerned with the role
of culture, not religion, or politics, and though we accept the role these play, we are not
supporting any agendas which isolate young Pakistanis or Muslims in the UK.
This research will be framed around the context of education and employment. We would
like to understand three elements: identity (past), values (present thinking), and aspirations
(future). Our target sample is current students aged between 18 and 24 who live in Pakistan,
or who are currently living in the UK but are of Pakistani origin. We are also interested in the
gender variable and this balance will be maintained in our sample.
This project is a scoping exercise to create a large dataset which will be used as a baseline
for further research and/or programme interventions both within the British Council and by
external partners. REMU will be completing this cross cultural study in collaboration with
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National Intelligence Council 2030 global trends report
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October 2014
REMU
universities in the UK and in Pakistan with the intent of collecting responses from over 5,000
young Pakistanis from both locations.
Certain elements of the research will also be supported by consultants - please refer to the
other listed TORs for literature reviews and questionnaire design. This TOR is in reference to
report writing services. When the questionnaires have been circulated and preliminary
analysis complete, we would like a UK based individual or company to work with the dataset
to write a full report on the findings and emerging themes of the research.
We are particularly interested in the following indicators:
1. Cross cultural links; relationship with Pakistan, global outlook, differences within
countries and similarities between them
2. Employment; decision to study, subjects chosen, student experience, career
aspirations and prospects, work experience, life skills
3. Well-being; support networks, coping mechanisms, perceived quality of life & health,
growth, relationships, happiness
4. Inequality; discrimination, fit within society, voice heard, moral justifications
5. Reason to leave or remain in Pakistan; role of the family, belonging, confidence in
institutions (press, education, police, health care etc.), life choices, influencers
Research objectives:
1. To collect quantitative data on a "big-picture," macro scale, in order to be able
to understand the perceptions of young people of Pakistani origin in Pakistan and the UK
2. To uncover notions of identity and values for a better understanding of the texture and
meaning of their lived experiences
3. Identify and understand the aspirations of young people in both locations, in the context
of employability
4. To inform policy and stakeholders on emerging themes of the survey of youth in Pakistan
and the UK;
a. Identify the needed resources
b. Identify the best practices
c. Interpret the understanding of their perceptions
Methodology:
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Universities across the UK and Pakistan have been identified and briefed on the project
A literature review will be completed to aid the development of the questionnaire
Questionnaire designed and pretested in both Pakistan and the UK
Online surveys circulated through our university network to over 5,000 18-24 year old
respondents in the UK and Pakistan
In depth analysis and report writing conducted by this consultancy
Emerging themes presented to British Council colleagues to inform SBU project planning
Results disseminated in both countries and seminar discussions held in each partner
university
Advocacy events held for government representatives and other stakeholders in
Pakistan
Report published and presented at an international conference or seminar
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October 2014
REMU
Outputs:
1. Read all relevant contextual documentation provided by the British Council and become
fully familiar with the cross cultural study research, youth engagement programmes, and
diaspora connection strategies
2. To analyse the questionnaire results and indicate emerging themes
3. Submit a draft report which will include;
 Foreword
 Executive summary
 Four – six chapters on the emerged themes
 Recommendations
4. Complete the full report for public dissemination in a timely manner, and produce a
PowerPoint presentation on the main findings
Timeframe:
26th October 2014
5th November 2014
10th December 2014
5th January 2015
Expression of interest
Contract awarded
Draft report
Final report and presentation
The expression of interest should include:
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Personal and/or organisational profile and up to date CV/s
A short statement describing your approach
Total fee for completed delivery of all stated outputs with a breakdown of given costs
Evidence of the required qualifications and experience:
- Understanding of the British Council’s objectives (essential)
- Two years’ experience of working on funded research projects (essential)
- Two years’ full-time experience of analysing data and report writing (essential)
- Authored reports published in international peer reviewed journals (essential)
- Experience of working internationally on cross cultural projects (desirable)
Please submit your expression of interest to the above requirements by 26th October 2014,
write the email subject as: ‘Research consultancy’ and send it to:
dawn.lowry-hair@britishcouncil.org
Please note, responses will only be given to successful applicants and the contract will be
awarded within seven working days of the application deadline.
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