ERA LGBTI is currently recruiting an experienced Expert consultant to support 1-year hate speech monitoring activity.
About ERA
ERA is a regional non-profit organization of LGBTIQ+ organizations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Türkiye. The organization is based in Belgrade, Serbia. Our mission is to inspire positive change in the society, promote and advocate for human rights of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, by facilitating cooperation and providing resources and capacity development for the LGBTIQ+ movement across the Balkans and Turkey. ERA’s approach combines advocacy at national, regional and European levels with capacity-building, research and knowledge production, strategic networking, sub-granting, and cross-sector partnerships—raising awareness, strengthening LGBTIQ+ CSOs, mainstreaming LGBTIQ+ priorities within EU integration processes, and advancing a resilient, financially sustainable movement grounded in evidence and collaboration.
Context and description of task
Duration: 12 months
Location: Western Balkans
The FIER·ES programme (Fostering the Inclusion, Equality and Resilience of LGBTQIA+ people) aims to support LGBTQIA+ CSOs and initiatives so that they are better able to carry out their mandate and mission and promote respect, inclusion, dignity and equality for LGBTQIA+ people in the Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans. The programme is co-funded by Agence française de développement, coordinated by ERIM and led with its partners the LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey (ERA) and Genderdoc – M (Moldova).
Within the framework of the project FIER ·ES, Activity 2.1 focuses on monitoring hate speech and discrimination and the development of strategic advocacy documents.
This activity aims to strengthen evidence-based advocacy efforts to combat hate speech and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ persons in the Western Balkans. Monitoring of hate speech on social media and traditional media will be carried out at national level in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, under the coordination of ERA.
To ensure methodological consistency and comparability of data across the four countries, an expert will be contracted to design and oversee a comprehensive monitoring framework, coordinate data collection through a dedicated social-intelligence software and support the preparation of national and regional reports.
Scope of Work
The expert will be responsible for the overall methodological design and analytical coordination of the monitoring process. Specific tasks include:
- Develop a comprehensive monitoring methodology, including key concepts, indicators, data sources, ethical standards, and reporting format;
- Define and update when needed keyword lists, search strings, and categories for monitoring hate speech and discrimination;
- Be able to use a social-intelligence platform for which access is already secured for ERA for systematic data collection;
- Provide methodological guidance and quality control during the 12-month data collection period;
- Oversee quarterly data samples and summaries throughout the 12-month monitoring period, ensuring data consistency and quality;
- Quality check for the four country-specific monitoring reports (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) at the end of monitoring process;
Expected Deliverables
- Monitoring Methodology Document (including indicators, keyword taxonomy, and data collection framework);
- Configured monitoring platform and ERA onboarding sessions;
- Creating the structure of the monitoring reports to be prepared based on the data collection and main findings
- Quality check for four final country-specific monitoring reports (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia);
Timeframe
The assignment will be carried out over a period of 12 months (November 2025 – November 2026).
The estimated level of effort is approximately 20 working days, distributed as follows:
|
Phase
|
Main tasks | Estimated working days |
| Phase 1 – Methodology & Setup (Month 1) | Develop methodology, define keywords, configure monitoring tool, and deliver onboarding session | 8 days |
| Phase 2 – Overseeing Data Collection Process (Months 2–12) | Data review and quality checks | 8 days |
| Phase 3 – Reporting & Synthesis (Final quarter) | Quality check for the four country-specific reports and regional synthesis | 4 days |
| Total estimated effort | ≈20 working days |
The expert will report directly to ERA – LGBTI and work in close coordination with its team.
Required Qualifications / Expertise
- Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Human Rights, Communication, or related field;
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in monitoring, research, or analysis related to hate speech, discrimination, or human rights;
- Proven experience in the use of social-listening / media-monitoring tools (e.g. Meltwater, Talkwalker, Brandwatch, etc.);
- Strong analytical, data management, and reporting skills;
- Experience working with civil society organisations and human rights defenders;
- Familiarity with LGBTQIA+ issues and regional contexts in the Western Balkans;
- Excellent command of English (both written and spoken).
- Knowledge of at least one of the local languages is an asset.
- Being able to issue an invoice.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested experts are invited to submit the following documents:
- 1-page expression of interest (highlighting relevant experience, daily rate and information where you reside)
- A technical proposal (max. 3 pages) describing the proposed approach to methodology and data monitoring (keeping mind using of the social-listening tools);
- An updated CV (max. 3 pages) outlining relevant experience;
- Two professional references with contact information
- A financial proposal (including daily rate and number of days of work per deliverable, inclusive of all taxes).
Applications should be sent by email to procurement@lgbti-era.org by 28 November 2025 17:00 (CET) with the subject line:
“Call for Offers – Expert on Methodology and Monitoring of Hate Speech and Discrimination”.
Contact Information
For any clarifications regarding this call, please write to procurement@lgbti-era.org with the subject line: “Question for Call for Offers – Expert on Methodology and Monitoring of Hate Speech and Discrimination”.
Call for Offers – Hate Speech Monitoring Expert
