Process Tracing Expert (Consultant)

BBC Media Action uses media and communication to reach millions of people through creative communication and trusted media, helping people have their say, understand their rights, responsibilities and each other, and take action to transform their own lives.​​​ We work across a range of thematic areas including health, governance and rights, resilience and humanitarian response and we partner with civil society, local media and governments to deliver our work. We have been working in Nepal since 2007 addressing a range of development issues including climate change adaptation, governance, health and humanitarian response.  

About the assignment

BBC Media Action Nepal has been implementing projects on “Weather and Climate Information Services”. To learn more about our work, visit here. As a part of this, we are conducting evidence research to examine and evidence the impact of our work on effective weather and climate communication in Nepal.

A qualitative design with “Process Tracing” as the primary method will be employed. The potential research participants include government officials, media practitioners, community members, etc. from different areas of Nepal.

BBC Media Action is seeking a Process Tracing Expert to lead the design of the study. The expert can be based in any part of Nepal but will be required to travel to BBC Media Action’s office in Kathmandu and travel to field, as required.

Planned research products

We aim to produce two outputs/reports – 1. Research report aimed at development partners, internal stakeholders including the project team, business development team 2. Publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

In case of an applicant who is also interested in publication in a peer-reviewed journal, please note that most of our academic partnerships are non-remunerated and publication-focused. The applicant is requested to consider these while quoting their consultancy fees for the assignment.  

Research team setup

A core team of 3-4 people, consisting of a research member from BBC Media Action, process tracing expert, qualitative researcher, and local academician with expertise in weather and climate information services will lead the research. The local researchers and/or a research agency will be commissioned for the field work/ data collection, as required, and this will be decided in consultation with the core team following the finalisation of the research protocol.

“The role may involve working with groups of vulnerable children and adults. For the successful candidate, mandatory training will be provided on BBC Media Action’s safeguarding policy and staff code of conduct. BBC Media Action operates a zero-tolerance policy concerning all forms of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people.”

Division: BBC Media Action
Reports to (title): Research Manager
Location base: Kathmandu
Contract: 40 days between May and December, 2026
Organisation structure: The Process Tracing Expert will report to the Research Manager.

Main Duties

• Finalisation of the research design by providing specific support on strengthening the hypotheses and causal pathways.
• Finalisation of the tests to be used.
• Review of research instruments.
• Work with the qualitative researcher on data analysis (analysing, identifying and assessing the strength of causal pathways).
• Review the draft reports including co-authoring of the peer-reviewed journal article.
• Provide training to BBC Media Action researchers on key areas such as “process tracing”.
• Ensure overall quality assurance of the research process and outputs.
• As required, coordinate, communicate with the internal and external stakeholders, including the members of the project team.
• Understand and comply with the Safeguarding policy and the staff Code of Conduct.
• Report any Safeguarding concerns immediately, either to the Country Director, or using the Whistleblowing Policy.
• Participate in relevant mandatory training including Safeguarding and Respect at Work.

The level of effort for the major responsibilities will be outlined by discussing with the selected consultant before finalising the contract.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated expertise in process tracing and theory-based evaluation.
• Familiarity with the foundational process tracing literature such as Beach and Pederson, Bennette and Checkel, etc.
• Strong understanding of the broader concepts of hypothesis testing and causal mechanisms.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.
• Advanced degree in social sciences, economics, political science, public policy, or related field.
• Experience in development communication, specifically in weather and climate, climate change communication.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical ideas using non-technical language to a wide range of audiences from journalists, production staff and development practitioners.
• Ability to plan and conduct work with minimal supervision.
• Good time management skills, with a track record of delivering research findings to the deadline.
• Strong written and spoken Nepali and English.
• Demonstrable understanding of cultural diversity and cross-cultural research.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.