Consultancy Opportunity for Conducting research on the vulnerability and invisibility of girls in Moshi and Arusha

Background

While street involved boys are very visible in Moshi and Arusha, it is important to ask where their female siblings are? Where are they living, and in what conditions? How are they coping? Do they need support and, if so, what form would this take?

Mkombozi intends to conduct research on the vulnerability and invisibility of girls and young women in Moshi and Arusha, in order to better understand their context and agree how best Mkombozi could meet their needs and work effectively with other agencies in this sector. This research will examine the context, culture and invisibility surrounding vulnerable girls and young women; identify existing services and gaps and make concrete recommendations for Mkombozi moving forward in supporting these girls and young women.

Purpose of the Research

Mkombozi intends to conduct this research to ensure that its work and programmes benefit girls and women meaningfully, and contribute to gender equity. This research seeks to address issues related to vulnerability and invisibility of vulnerable girls, particularly those who could be classified as 'street-involved', and put these issues into the context of the current services available and organizations working to address these issues.

Objectives of the assignment and scope of work

Due to Mkombozi's geographic target areas, the research will specifically hone in on Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions and will focus particularly on girls living unsupported in urban centres. The overall objectives of the research are as follows:

• Investigate, describe and capture the context and invisibility of vulnerable and street-involved girls and young women
• Highlight services that are currently available; organizations currently working to reach this population and the effectiveness and remaining gaps of these services and interventions
• Identify Mkombozi's current strengths and potential for working with vulnerable and street-involved girls and make concrete recommendations for how Mkombozi could meaningfully reach this population, including the financial, programmatic and logistical implications.

Methodologies

Participatory methodologies should be employed for all areas where they are relevant to ensure ownership and participation of those we work with and would like to work with. This will also involve meeting with Mkombozi staff and other stakeholders deemed necessary by the consultant. The organization anticipates also involving organizations working with vulnerable girls and young women in the process of developing the research, collecting data and sharing of the results. Mkombozi will provide budget (separate from the budget for the consultant) to cover the costs of data collection and meetings with partners. Additionally, Mkombozi's research team (Research Officer and 2 RAs) will be available to assist with data collection, translation, data entry and general logistics.

The consultant will report to Mkombozi's Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator during this assignment.

The methodologies must address the following:

• Contextual and cultural factors impacting girls and women beyond a simple desk review of available research
• Prioritizing participation of girls and boys, women and men
• Including and utilizing expertise of partner organizations, especially local government
• Gaining perspective on Mkombozi's staff readiness and concerns in working with more girls
• Understanding key difference in working with girls and boys
• Look at Consortium for Street-Children's toolkit for working with girls and evaluate its potential for usefulness in our context
• Development of ethical framework for research and ensure it is inline with Mkombozi's Child Protection Policy

Expected Output/Deliverables

• Research report addressing all objectives and including clear recommendations on how Mkombozi can reach vulnerable and street-involved girls in their work as it enters the next phase of strategic planning.
• Final workshop with Senior Management Team to discuss recommendations and make action plan for how to take them forward.
• Half-day workshop with partner organizations and stakeholders to present findings of the research.

Time Frame

This assignment will last for 25 days between November 2013 and March 2014. The days will be spread out to allow time for logistics, thoughtful design and data collection. The consultant will be required to work with Mkombozi's research team unless key skills are needed in the form of other researchers, in order to best utilise the budget for this piece of work. The work should be ready by 31^st March, 2014.

Qualifications and experience

• Advanced University Degree in Gender and Development, Development Studies, Community Development, Law or other relevant field with a minimum of 3 years working experience
• Proven record of research in gender issues and in-depth knowledge of qualitative research

Management of the assignment and Suggested Timeframe (25 days)

Task & No. of days

• Inception meeting with Mkombozi research team - 1 day
• Preliminary workshop with partners - 2 days
• Data collection with girls, communities, stakeholders - 8 days
• Data collection with Mkombozi staff - 2 days
• Data collection with partner organizations - 2 days
• Desk review - 2 days
• Writing/compiling the report - 5 days
• Review and finalize draft report - 1 day
• Feedback workshop with partners & stakeholder - 1 day
• Final workshop with Mkombozi Senior Management Team -1 day

Note:

• The report should be in English and shall be submitted in electronic form compatible with Ms Word.
• It is anticipated that this work will be fully complete by the 31^st of March 2014.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for this position please submit a technical proposal (maximum of 3 pages) and a budget (including any travel costs for the consultant, excluding costs associated with data collection). Please also submit an example of a previous piece of work – this will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Applications should be submitted by 5pm (GMT +3) on the 31st December 2013 toinfo@mkombozi.org