Project/Consultancy Title:
Project Location(s): SPARC qualitative research expert consultants
Wau, WBG State, South Sudan
Mercy Corps_SPARC_ SOW_ Qualitative Consultant 2023.docx (55.9 KB)
Background:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Supporting Pastoralism & Agriculture in Recurrent & Protracted Crises (SPARC) is a six-year (2020-2026) initiative funded by FCDO. The goal is to generate and promote the application of evidence on what works to strengthen the resilience of agricultural and pastoral livelihoods in fragile, drylands contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. The program aims to advance research on livelihoods, agriculture and pastoralism that can be used by FCDO and other agencies to guide decisions on programs and policies to support livelihoods resilience in the drylands. Through research and evidence, SPARC will develop knowledge to enhance the ability of FCDO, the donor community, NGOs, local and national governments and other stakeholders to assist pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and farmers in the context of conflict, climate change, and other shocks and stressors. Mercy Corps is a member of the SPARC consortium with the ODI and the International Livestock Research Institute. Cowater International is the lead firm.
Purpose / Project Description:
SPARC is planning the continuation of a multi-year study in South Sudan and Kenya, to learn more about the strategies pastoralists are using to respond to volatility and uncertainty in the drylands, particularly as a function of climate and conflict-induced shocks. Specifically, the study will 1) identify and categorize the mechanisms, systems and processes pastoralists are employing in response to shifting hazards and shocks in distinct drylands contexts; 2) identify the factors that influence which approaches pastoralists prioritize when responding to shocks, and 3) from the perspectives of local communities and actors, investigate which approaches appear to be the most effective in building resilience. Answering these questions will shed light on the pathways of evolution of pastoral systems amidst continuing and potentially growing volatility in the drylands and should generate clear guidance on opportunities for the design and implementation of livelihood support programming. The study will entail a combination of desk review, expert consultation, and qualitative fieldwork in South Sudan.
Mercy Corps seeks to hire qualitative research consultants to implement the fieldwork and participate in analysis activities, with a particular focus on Western Bahr el Ghazal (Wau).
Key research questions include:
How are the livelihood systems of pastoralist populations shifting or adapting in the face of climate change, conflict, and economic volatility? Sub Questions:
How are livelihood hazards (and their underlying drivers) changing in the drylands? Which hazards do pastoralists see as most acute, and why? How do these perceptions differ based on gender, age, wealth, or other socioeconomic factors?
What livelihood shifts and adaptations are pastoralists using to cope with and adapt to increasing uncertainty?
What household- and community-level factors influence the approaches and mechanisms that different pastoralists employ or prioritize in the face of shocks and stresses? Sub-questions:
How do demographic factors such as gender, age, wealth, and status influence the use of certain approaches or mechanisms to mitigate risk and reduce hazards?
What role do markets (including market accessibility, quality and aspects of functionality) play in determining the approaches that pastoralists employ in response to or anticipation of shocks?
To what extent do individuals’ long-term livelihood aspirations influence the short-term strategies they employ in response to or anticipation of shocks, and how do these aspirations differ based on socioeconomic factors such as age and gender?
Recognizing that certain approaches and mechanisms may promote the wellbeing of some at the expense of others, what trade-offs do pastoralists make when determining which approaches or mechanisms to prioritize? Do these prioritizations differ based on shock? Between households? Why and how?
What are the different (positive and negative) effects by age, gender, wealth and status of different approaches and mechanisms employed?
Which approaches and mechanisms appear to be most and least effective in terms of building resilience to shocks and stresses?
Under which circumstances does diversification to non-farm livelihood activities appear to help build resilience to existing and emerging shocks? To what shocks? In what form (e.g., temporary diversification vs. permanent diversification? Diversification by the entire household, or only some members?)? And to what end (i.e., what resilience-related outcomes does diversification support), and with benefits for whom (i.e., are there observable differences in outcomes associated with different strategies based on gender, and/or other HH and intra-HH characteristics)?
Under which circumstances does consolidation/intensification of pastoralist livelihood portfolios help build resilience? To which shocks? In what form? To what end?
What are the characteristics that make such moves possible or successful?
Summary of Activities
To implement this research activity in South Sudan, the consultants will conduct two rounds of interviews before the end of November 2023 (with a target to conduct interviews in March and September). The consultants will be expected to conduct rigorous, semi-structured interviews with a sample size of approximately sixty (60) people in each round, divided between the consultants. That means, assuming two consultants are hired for this role, each will be expected to deliver 30 interviews per round. The sample will draw on a frame of respondents consulted in previous iterations of this study, but may also require the replacement of respondents who are no longer reachable. In this case, the consultants will be responsible for identifying additional respondents meeting specific sampling criteria, which Mercy Corps will provide. This may be completed using a snowball sampling approach.
In summary, the Consultant’s primary roles will include leading data collection including respondent identification and recruitment, participating in analysis activities, supporting the identification of program-relevant learning and recommendations, and collaborating on research instrument design.
Specific Activities:
The Consultants will:
Participate in the design of research instruments, including by reviewing tools designed by lead researchers and providing technical feedback particularly to ensure relevance and sensitivity of proposed interview topics.
Mobilize existing cohort of research respondents, to conduct follow-up interviews, which build on themes that emerged in previous research.
Replace missing research respondents with new panelists, based on selection criteria to be provided by Mercy Corps.
Conduct semi-structured key informant interviews with these respondents, requiring careful and sensitive probing and taking detailed interview notes.
Comprehensively type interview notes to share with the study team and participate in regular analytical debriefs with members of the broader SPARC research team.
Review report drafts and provide technical and contextual contributions to the resulting analysis.
Co-lead qualitative analytical sessions preceding data collection rounds to inform the design of research instruments
Engage in post-data collection analysis sessions with a focus on bringing contextual and subject matter expertise to bear, and ensuring relevance, accuracy, and sensitivity of written products
Liaise with local stakeholders to maximize awareness and influence/uptake of the research in relevant local fora, including government, NGO, and donor audiences
Deliverables
Thorough review of qualitative research instruments prior to each round of interviews, resulting in written feedback on documents and participation in calls with study team to ensure relevance and contextual sensitivity of tools;
Two rounds of qualitative interview transcripts (approximately 30 interviews per consultant per round), carefully labeled and uploaded on a shared Google Drive.
Participation in at least four analytical discussions with the full research team, over the course of each round of field work, to share preliminary findings and discuss priorities for further probing and follow-up in subsequent interviews.
Review research report drafts, to provide feedback and areas for improvement based on contextual knowledge.
Essential qualifications
Significant previous experience leading qualitative field research and data collection activities, including semi-structured interviewing and focus group discussions, preferably with an international NGO or other aid actor.
Strong communication skills, including both writing and speaking in both local languages and English.
Ability to efficiently and comprehensively transcribe interview notes using Microsoft Word, for sharing with the broader study team.
Strong knowledge of the Western Bahr el Ghazal context, with the ability to work independently with minimal support to conduct field work on the ground.
Timeframe / Schedule:
This consulting opportunity will entail approximately 45 days of work between March 15th , 2023 and November 1, 2023.
The Consultant will report to:
Nyuon Moses – Line manager
Alex Humphrey – Technical manager
Interested entities should submit their financial proposal, workplan, CVs, profiles and references from previous similar works by or before March 7th 2023 to < [email protected]>