Qualitative Data Collection Consultant

Qualitative Data Collection Consultant   Overview and Rationale for Consortium Approach Over three years into the Syrian crisis in Lebanon, cash assistance has proven to be an effective modality for delivering humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable refugees in Lebanon. The Lebanon Cash Consortium, a group of 6 humanitarian NGOs, has piloted a joint approach to providing cash assistance. These NGOs share their significant operational capacity and experience with implementing cash programs and benefit from working closely with one another to develop common tools, harmonized time frames and other operational efficiencies. The members of the consortium are ACTED, CARE, IRC, Save the Children International, Solidarites International and World Vision International. The consortium coordinates closely with the Cash Working Group, an interagency umbrella group of all organizations involved in cash assistance.   Pilot phase of Cash Consortium and the role of IRC From December 2014 to April 2015 the Cash Consortium is piloting the joint delivery of multipurpose cash assistance, reaching approximately 3,800 refugees across the whole of Lebanon.   During this pilot, IRC will be responsible for the LCC monitoring and evaluation (M&E) function, developing data collection tools and analysis plans for both quantitative and qualitative data collection.   IRC will support all LCC agencies to effectively conduct baseline and final evaluations using a combination of surveys and qualitative data collection tools. In particular, the LCC is interested in understanding more about how beneficiaries prioritize spending and how decision-making regarding HH expenses impacts on child welfare and protection.   Overview of Consultancy To this end, the IRC is seeking a consultant to conduct focus group discussions (FGDs)as part of the baseline evaluation of the LCC pilot project. With the support of an external consultant, the LCC has developed pre-defined draft FGD guides and a utility-focused sampling strategy. The selected consultant will lead FGD data collection across all major LCC geographies and implementation areas of each LCC partner agency.  Specific data collection locations and FGD participants will be selected randomly from partner locations prior to the field exercise to reduce selection bias in data collection. In total, it is proposed that the consultant will lead 16 FGD- half with women, half with men- distributed across LCC partners proportional to their total caseload within the LCC. He/she will provide training and oversight to small team of data enumerators. The consultant will work closely with IRC staff to develop and adhere to clear data quality standards during data collection.  He/she will also be responsible for FGD data processing and preliminary analysis based on the defined themes of data collection and using agreed-upon templates for that purpose. The consultant will report to IRC’s M&E Manager, and will work with the LCC’s lead agency (Save the Children) and other consortium members as needed.   Tasks and Deliverables The consultant that the LCC hires will be expected to work with IRC staff to finalize- as necessary- the evaluation’s FGD guides and sampling strategy.  Using existing LCC partner geographic and beneficiary lists, the consultant will lead final location and respondent selection and work with LCC partners to finalize scheduling and coordination of data collection. Prior to the first data collection activity the consultant will run a half-day capacity building training with select LCC agency M&E staff on the FGD tool and FGD data collection standards at each location.  The consultant will then lead data collection for each FGD, ensuring the highest possible data quality.  He/she will oversee data processing and conduct preliminary data analysis.   List of deliverables: FGD plan, consisting of:  (a) final FGD guides [if changes are necessary], (b) final sampling strategy [if changes are necessary], (c) final list of selected FGD locations and respondents; and (d) final data collection plan / timetable. FGD Training agenda, guide and supporting materials completed with select LCC staff. Final processed data, in both Word and Excel formats (using agreed-upon templates). Preliminary report of 5 pages.   All deliverables must be approved by the IRC M&E Manager before considered final.   Proposed Timeframe Activity Estimated number of days Finalization of FGD plan 2 Development and implementation of FGD training(1 day to develop, 6 half-day trainings) 4 Data collection 8 Data processing and analysis 4 Preliminary report writing 2 Total number of billable days* 20 * This timeframe may be adjusted depending on the number of consultants participating in the process. Consultant Qualifications The LCC seeks a consultant with the following minimum qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in economics, sociology, international develop or a related social science discipline; At least five years of proven experience leading research and/or qualitative data collection processes for program monitoring and evaluation; Previous experience developing and leading training and managing teams; Proven experience in qualitative data management and processing; Arabic and English fluency; Prior experience working with NGOs in the humanitarian sector in Lebanon is a strong plus   Application and Selection To apply for this consultancy, please submit a cover letter outlining how your training, expertise and experience align with the desired qualifications of the consultancy.  Please also submit a CV as well as a sample of a (1) previous qualitative evaluation plan and (2) the report from a previous qualitative exercise.  Applications should be submitted to ali.atallah@rescue.org, no later than April 2, 2015.