Background RNW Media 

RNW Media is an international digital media organisation working on social change. We believe in a world in which young people, in all their diversity, confidently claim their rights, assume their place in society and drive social change. Our mission is to accelerate the impact of changemakers by co-creating youth-centred digital media solutions built on data insights and mutual learning experiences. Our goal is that by 2030, through digital media, one billion young people can make informed decisions, advance their rights, and affect society. 

We work with those who, like us, want to unleash the potential of young people aged 15-30. Human rights and the different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to young people are our compass. The inclusive digital spaces we co-create and the learning experiences we provide accelerate change; change seen in behaviour, attitudes, social norms, and/or policies. 

This assignment is carried out under a project with our partner RHAC (Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia, https://rhac.org.kh/), funded by RFSU (https://www.rfsu.com/en/), focused on digital sexuality education for Cambodian youth. Building on RNW Media’s prior research on youth and AI-generated content (AIGC), this assignment extends that inquiry to the Cambodian context, with a specific focus on trust and awareness around AI-generated content related to sexual and reproductive health. 

Scope of the Assignment 

RNW Media, in partnership with RHAC, is looking for one researcher or research organisation/consultancy (individual consultants and local research or civil society organisations, including RHAC-affiliated research partners, are equally welcome to apply) 

For the RFSU-funded Digital Sexuality Education (DSE) project, based in Cambodia, on an assignment to conduct research into how Cambodian youth interact with, trust, and evaluate AI-generated content (AIGC), with particular attention to AIGC related to sexual and reproductive health information. 

Starting from 21 September 2026 for a duration of approximately 2 months (21 September – 22 November 2026). 

Duration:	Approximately 2 months (21 September – 22 November 2026)
Time dedication:	Part-time / deliverable-based; estimated 20–25 working days in total over the assignment period
Duty station:	Home-based, with field travel within Cambodia (including rural provinces) required for focus group discussions
Reports to:	Noyan Er, Digital Product and Data Manager, RNW Media, in coordination with RHAC’s project focal point

This assignment aims to generate evidence-based insight into how Cambodian youth, particularly those engaging with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including in rural areas: encounter, trust, and critically evaluate AI-generated content. The research combines qualitative focus group discussions, a lightweight youth survey, and social listening analysis. Findings will feed into a publishable research report and into a preliminary findings presentation. 

Key Deliverables 

By the deadlines established by RNW Media, the researcher/research organisation is expected to have delivered the following: 

1. Inception Note: a short document (max. 5 pages) confirming the research questions, refined FGD guide, survey instrument, sampling and recruitment plan, ethical/safeguarding protocol, and social listening search terms, submitted for RNW Media / RHAC sign-off before fieldwork begins. 

2. Fieldwork Data Set: transcripts (or detailed notes) from 2–4 focus group discussions with Cambodian youth (approx. 6–12 participants per group), and a completed dataset from a lightweight youth survey (target: minimum 80–100 respondents). 

3. Preliminary Findings Brief: a concise (max. 8–10 slides or a 4–6 page brief) summary of early findings on trust, awareness, and evaluation of AI-generated content, especially related to SRH information, delivered by 19 October 2026 to inform RNW Media’s presentation at the “Youth Meets Media” conference. 

4. Final Research Report: a full, citable/publishable report (English, approx. 25–40 pages, plus executive summary) presenting methodology, findings, and recommendations, incorporating focus group, survey, and social listening data, delivered by 15 November 2026. 

Additional notes: 

• All deliverables to be submitted in English; focus group facilitation and survey instruments should be available in Khmer. 

• The Final Research Report should be structured for potential publication (methodology, findings, discussion, recommendations, annexes) and should build on the language, definitions, and analytical framework used in RNW Media’s prior AIGC research where relevant. 

• The Preliminary Findings Brief is a distinct, earlier deliverable from the Final Research Report it is intended specifically to support RNW Media’s outreach and does not need to include a full analysis. 

Activities 

The researcher/research organisation is expected to perform the following activities in order to successfully deliver the deliverables described above: 

• Conduct a brief desk review of existing literature to ground the study’s design and terminology. 

• Adapt and finalise the focus group discussion guide and survey instrument for the Cambodian context, in consultation with RNW Media and RHAC. 

• Work together with RHAC to identify and recruit 2 – 4 groups of youth participants, prioritising young people who engage with sexual and reproductive health services, including youth based in rural areas. 

• Conduct 2 – 4 focus group discussions with recruited youth participants (approx. 6 – 12 participants per group), following informed consent and safeguarding procedures appropriate for sensitive topics. 

• Distribute and collect a lightweight survey among a broader sample of Cambodian youth to provide quantitative context to the qualitative findings. 

• Conduct social listening analysis of Cambodian (and, where relevant, regional) online conversations on AI-generated content and SRH-related information, using RNW Media’s existing Talkwalker subscription (access to be coordinated with RNW Media’s digital team). 

• Analyse and triangulate findings across focus groups, survey, and social listening data. 

• Prepare and deliver a Preliminary Findings Brief.

• Incorporate feedback from RNW Media and RHAC and finalise the Final Research Report. 

• Report regularly on progress to RNW Media’s Digital Product and Data Manager, flagging any recruitment, ethical, or logistical challenges as they arise. 

Researcher / Research Organisation Profile 

RNW Media is looking for a researcher or research organisation with the following qualifications and skills: 

• A university degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, communication studies, media studies, public health, or a related discipline (for organisations: a demonstrated track record of comparable applied research); 

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in qualitative and quantitative social research, including focus group facilitation and survey design and analysis; 

• Demonstrated experience conducting research with youth in Cambodia, ideally including youth accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and/or youth in rural or underserved areas; 

• Working knowledge of, or willingness to be trained on, social listening tools (e.g. Talkwalker or comparable platforms); prior experience with social listening or digital media monitoring is an advantage; 

• Understanding of AI-generated content (AIGC), media and information literacy (MIL), or digital literacy topics is a strong advantage; 

• Familiarity with ethical research standards and safeguarding practices for research involving youth and sensitive topics (e.g. sexuality, health); 

• Established networks or partnerships enabling access to diverse Cambodian youth participants, including in rural provinces; 

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate detailed concepts clearly and concisely both in writing and verbally; 

• Ability to manage a compressed timeline and deliver against fixed milestones, including a preliminary deliverable ahead of the final report; 

• Written and oral fluency in English and Khmer is essential. 

Assignment Schedule 

Activity	Timeline	Other Remarks
Inception: refine methodology, FGD guide, survey instrument, and sampling plan for rural/SRHR-engaged youth	21 – 27 September 2026	Inception note shared with RNW Media / RHAC for sign-off before fieldwork begins
Recruit FGD participants and survey respondents in coordination with RHAC’s field network	21 – 27 September 2026	Prioritise youth engaging with SRHR services, including in rural provinces
Conduct 2–4 focus group discussions with youth (approx. 6–12 participants each)	28 September – 11 October 2026	In Khmer, with consent procedures and safeguarding measures for sensitive topics
Distribute and collect lightweight survey	28 September – 11 October 2026	Coordinated timing with FGDs for triangulation
Conduct social listening analysis on AI-generated health/SRHR content using RNW Media’s existing Talkwalker subscription	September – October 2026	Access and onboarding to be coordinated with RNW Media’s digital team
Analyse FGD, survey, and social listening data; draft preliminary findings	11 – 19 October 2026	—
Deliver Preliminary Findings Brief	By 19 October 2026	To inform RNW Media’s presentation at the “Youth Meets Media” conference, Phnom Penh, 23–25 October 2026
Incorporate feedback and finalise research report	20 – 31 October 2026	Review round with RNW Media and RHAC
Submit Final Research Report (citable/publishable format)	By 21 November 2026	Includes executive summary, methodology, findings, and recommendations

Changes to the schedule can be made in consultation with RNW Media. 

Remuneration 

The remuneration for the assignment is a fixed total budget of EUR 5,000 (inclusive of all consultancy fees and field research costs, such as participant incentives, venue hire, local transport, and enumerator support, where applicable). Access to social listening tools is provided by RNW Media at no cost to the consultant. Applicants are asked to submit a detailed budget breakdown within this ceiling as part of their proposal. 

Budget/Fee (total):	EUR 5,000 (fixed ceiling, inclusive of consultancy fee and field research costs)
Method of payment:	Bank transfer, upon submission and approval of invoices linked to deliverables
Payment schedule:	Upon delivery and approval of the Final Research Report
Payment conditions:	Payments are made upon approval of the corresponding deliverable(s) by RNW Media

Application Procedure 

Interested applicants (individual researchers or research organisations) are invited to submit a maximum 4-page proposal and CV/organisational profile to noyan.er@rnw.media no later than 18 September 2026, 23:59 (CET). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

The proposal should include: 

• Brief description of the applicant’s (or organisation’s) recent experience on comparable assignments, including experience with youth research in Cambodia and/or SRH-related topics; 

• Detailed budget proposal within the EUR 5,000 ceiling; 

• Description of proposed methodology, including approach to focus group recruitment (particularly rural and SRH-service-engaged youth), survey design, and social listening; 

• Proposed timeline, reflecting the fixed deadlines for the Preliminary Findings Brief (19 October 2026) and Final Research Report (15 November 2026); 

• CV(s) of the lead researcher(s) and, where applicable, an organisational profile. 

Assignment Manager / Focal Point RNW Media 

In case you have any questions about this assignment, please do not hesitate to contact Noyan Er (noyan.er@rnw.media).