Country: Somalia
Closing date: 29 Apr 2016
Project/Consultancy Title: Research Firm to Conduct Quantitative Survey for Somali Youth Leadership
Project Location(s): Somaliland, Puntland, South Central Somalia
Research Firm to Conduct Quantitative Survey for Somali Youth Leadership Initiative (SYLI) Somaliland, Puntland, South Central Somalia
Background:
Mercy Corps seeks to undertake research to better understand the effect of youth educational programming on stability in Somalia. Through a mixed-methods evaluation of the Somalia Youth Leadership Initiative (SYLI), a $38 million USAID-funded youth development program, this study would assess the degree to which improved access to education and opportunities for civic engagement can contribute to stability in Somalia
Access to secondary education in Somalia is among the worst in the world with only 52,000 students enrolled in 195 secondary schools (64 public schools). Enrollment rates are highest in Somaliland (16,410 students in 42 schools), less in Puntland (6,773 in 22 schools), and lowest in Galmudug (1,407 students in 10 schools) and other parts of south central Somalia. Only 2-6% of the 2.7 million Somali youth (ages 14-17) are enrolled in secondary school. 10-20% of the student population is female with numbers even lower in rural and pastoralist communities.
SYLI targets youth age 15-24 in the Somaliland, Puntland and South Central Somalia and will directly benefit more than 150,000 youth with the potential to reach and impact millions of Somali youth, educators, and communities through radio, media and advocacy campaigns.
The proposed study seeks to answer the following research questions:
What, if any, is the effect of increasing access to secondary education on stability in Somalia? What are the mechanisms that explain this effect?
What, if any, is the effect of civic engagement activities for youth on stability in Somalia? What are the mechanisms that explain this effect?
In the context of ongoing violence and fragility, what are the limitations and opportunities for youth development and educational programming to promote peace and stability?
To assess the attributable impact of the SYLI Program on stability in Somalia, the project will conduct a survey with youth in areas of Somaliland and Puntland (with additional funding anticipated for surveys in South Central Somalia, under phase 2 of this study) where SYLI has implemented activities under IR 1 and IR 3 (school renovation/construction and civic engagement activities with in-school youth). Within each cluster or community, we will sample and survey youth in 3 categories: those attending SYLI schools, those out of school, and those in other educational programs, and compare violence outcomes among the three groups. The research will target a sample size of at least 1,200 youth across Somaliland and Puntland (and an additional 600 with anticipated funding for South Central Somalia). Within each region, a set number of Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) or clusters should be selected purposively to assess program contribution to impact in best and worst case scenarios (communities with challenges vs. those without challenges to program implementation).
Note that the current SOW will cover Somaliland and Puntland activities. We anticipate additional funding for activities in South Central Somalia to take place in the second phase of this study. The consultant/firm that is awarded this contract will be given the opportunity to carry out the additional activities in South Central Somalia, once funding is confirmed.
Purpose / Project Description:
The objective of this impact study is to:
Generate credible evidence on the attributable impact of access to education and civic engagement activities through the SYLI program on stability outcomes (including, but not limited to, violent extremism and political violence) within Somalia.
Contribute to understanding of the opportunities and limitations of educational and youth development programming like SYLI in promoting stability in a context like Somalia.
Consultant Objectives:
To contribute to the impact study, we require the surveys of an experienced firm to lead the administration of a standardized survey. The objective of the survey is to lead the collection of high quality data from a sample of youth in Somalia, and deliver a clean, complete dataset that is ready for analysis.
Consultant Activities:
The consultant will carry out the following activities based on the design, data collection methodology and implementation steps as provided by Mercy Corps:
Participate in a research and survey design workshop for an estimated 2 days in the last week of April (exact date to be confirmed) to discuss and finalize sampling plan and methodology.
Translate the surveys. The Survey Firm will be provided the questionnaire in English. They will translate this set of questions into Somali, adapting any components that are necessary to accurately capture the intended information on the study populations.
Assuming data collection will be done via tablets, code questionnaire and upload forms into ONA or other mobile data collection platform. Coding strategy should ensure each individual surveyed has a unique code for data entry that merges seamlessly across data sets. If data collection is done using paper questionnaires, develop data entry template with built in quality control measures
Internalize and field test of the survey instrument Report back to Mercy Corps any changes required to the survey, and incorporate those changes, once agreed upon with the research team.
Develop survey fieldwork plan, including transport and other logistics.
Recruit survey team, design and implement training for the survey team:
Recruitment of sufficient number of qualified data collectors with appropriate language skills. It is recommended that the data collection field staff have prior experience in similar survey undertakings.
Preparation of training plan, field work protocols according to agreed methodologies
Implementation of training for data collectors and supervisor/verifiers, including responsibility for logistics, venue, equipment, etc.
Training for data collection team on survey questionnaire including step-by-step instructions on data collection and guidance on handling problems and questions that might arise during data collection; additionally, training on mobile data collection should be incorporated for any data collectors without prior experience.
Ensure that all survey team members have up-to-date knowledge about selected data collection methodology, interviewing techniques, household and respondent selection process, and the completion of the survey and refusal forms.
Ensure all survey team members have a letter of authority to show both respondents and local authorities as necessary to facilitate their work.
Implement data collection among the full sample, supervise field data collection and verification:
Deployment of data collectors and supervisor/verifiers to the field
Prepare and ensure the delivery of survey materials and equipment
Oversee interviewers’ works while in the field for timely survey data quality assurance
Check completed questionnaires, comparison, validation and ensure the proper administration
Verify a sample number of the completed questionnaires after data collection. Conduct verification of data at least 5% of the total number of respondents.
Data collection of 1,200 questionnaires from Mercy Corps intervention zones in Somaliland and Puntland (and an additional 600 in South Central Somalia, contingent on additional funding) taking into account guidelines on: a) target population and sampling; b) data collection methods and tools used; c) data collection team; d) data verification.
Data synthesize, cleaning, coding and computer entry (NOTE: this is only relevant if data collection relies on paper-based surveys).
Inspect copies of all questionnaires and ensure no missing data, and no errors in collected questionnaire forms
Conduct primary processing, comparison and validation and clean forms
Create data entry plan and discuss with MC staff
Perform coding of all surveys, before computer data entry
Complete computer data entry of all questionnaires by using the database agreed upon with Mercy Corps
The Consultant will deliver all original hard copies of the completed questionnaires to Mercy Corps after completion of computer data entry and raw data. If mobile data collection is employed, the Consultant will deliver the final, cleaned dataset of the survey to Mercy Corps.
After completing all data collection and computer data entry, the Consultant will produce a brief report (in English) to Mercy Corps. The report will describe the preparation process, methodology data collection experiences, verification and entry process, including limitations, challenges.
Mercy Corps will be responsible for data analysis and production of the impact evaluation report.
Consultant Deliverables:
The Consultant will:
Input on the Sampling Design
Provide a finalized survey fieldwork plan
Translate survey questionnaire to Somali
Provide data from survey pre-test/pilot
Provide training to enumerators on survey tools and questionnaires
Provide weekly updates of activities during data collection
Provide hard copies of all questionnaires (if applicable)
Provide a final cleaned database of survey data in English
Timeframe / Schedule:
The Contractor will conduct the endline survey in May-June 2016 with a focus on data collection from 1,200 individuals in Somaliland and Puntland (and an additional 600 individuals in South Central Somalia, pending additional resources in a second phase of the study). In addition, the contractor will perform data coding and computer data entry. Presumably, a maximum of nine calendar weeks will be required for the assignment, which will be finalized through discussion between both parties. It is expected that the whole task should be finished within sixty three days from the starting date as mentioned below:
Participate in design workshop
Review survey instruments
Update translations of questionnaire into Somali
Consult with SYLI key staff, produce and submit fieldwork plan
Print questionnaires needed that are part of the individual survey package
Week 1&2
Produce and submit baseline survey plan
Selection and hiring adequate number of members for the survey
Week 3
Training of survey team members, questionnaire field test etc.
Week 4
Implement data collection and supervise field data collection
Week 5, 6 &7
Data verification and cleaning questionnaires
Week 8
Synthesize, coding and computer data entry
Produce implementation report
Week 9
The Consultant will report to:
SYLI Chief of Party
The Consultant will work closely with:
Mercy Corps’ Research and Learning Team, based in Washington D.C.
Application process
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit their Expression of interest (EoI). The EoI should include:
CV (s) with details of qualifications, experience, telephone number and names of three referees
Reports for similar consultancies done
Technical proposal which must cover: overall concept and approach, methodology and data collection techniques including ensuring data quality, data coding and data entry process, and field operational plan
The foreseen work plan and time frame for the days worked
Financial proposal with justification and explanation of any costs included
Evaluation and selection criteria
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
At least five years of experience in survey and related research work.
Prior experience with international donor-funded project in conducting large survey (>1,000 respondents) or research related activity in Somalia or the East Africa region.
Appropriate human resources, financial management capacities, and technical expertise to implement proposed activities.
Appropriate understanding of relevant survey process, tools, methods, data verification and analysis related issues.
Previous experience carrying out economic and social project surveys.
Experience with attitudes and behavior surveys.
Experience with and authorization for using mobile/hand-held technologies and GPS devices (strongly preferred).
Somali and English language communication skills of the survey team.
How to apply:
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