Introduction:
In October 2009, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Burundi began the implementation of a 3-year project called “Urwaruka Rushasha” (New Generation): Improving the well-being of vulnerable girls and boys in Burundi. The project has two main outcomes: 1) increasing the financial assets of vulnerable families; and 2) ensuring that children are active participants in defining their wellbeing and that their families can describe techniques to protect children.
In order to assess the impact of the two project components: economic strengthening and improving child well-being, the IRC is carrying out a randomized impact evaluation. This is a large quantitative study involving 1,600 households and 400 individual children selected at random. In order to feed into and complement this work, the IRC has also developed participatory activities with children, to ensure that they are fully involved in the project, but also in order to capture, in a more qualitative manner, the impact of the project on their well-being and development.
Objectives of consultancy:
To support qualitative data collection, taking into account lessons learned from the first two rounds of qualitative participatory activities with children in Burundi: o Provide technical input and assistance for the expansion of the qualitative research component of the project including data collection for: the baseline for cycle 2, monitoring after 6 months and evaluation at the end of the cycle. o Provide training and support to the project team on qualitative research tools o Work with a local consultant for the fieldwork and write-up o Write-up the results of each visit in a format that can be shared with DCOF o Contribute to journal articles arising from the research
Key tasks:
Qualitative research with children Support the project team to gather rich data using participatory activities already developed (described below) with 400 children randomly selected from families participating in the intervention trial. Provide support to expand the types of methods used with children
Current Qualitative Methodologies
The goal of this qualitative work is to measure the following outcomes related to child well-being: We describe qualitative methods and related key questions we have used in this project to assess these constructs. This consultant would be expected to become familiar with these activities in order to coordinate and supervise data collection and, as mentioned above, to generate and implement ideas for expanding methods of data collection.
Key Outcome 2: Children are free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation
Discipline (Body maps): Are discussions around discipline (linked to the body maps) changing? What are children saying about the feelings they have linked to different body parts? Are discipline methods changing? Social Environment (Spider Diagrams): Are changes taking place in the children’s social environment? What are the problems children face? Are these changing over time? Do children have people they can talk to about their problems? Who are these people? Is this changing over time?
Key Outcome 4: Children feel happy and safe (well-being)
Significant changes (Timelines): What changes are taking place in children’s lives? What significant events have taken place in the last 6/12 months? Are any of these linked to the project? Communication (Spider Diagrams or a new activity?): Are children able to talk to their parents/caregivers about their needs and feelings? How often can they do this? Are their needs met? How do they negotiate for what they need? Quality time with parents (new activity?): How much time do children get to spend with their parents? Do children play with their parents? Are children able to talk to their parents?
Key Outcome 5: Children have “agency” or control over choices in their lives • Agency (new activity?): Do children feel in control of their lives? Can children decide how they manage their time? Do children have time to play?
Training and support for the project team Provide training to Child Protection Officers and Family Development Managers on qualitative research methodology and how to record rich data.
Deliverables:
Reports for each stage of the qualitative research which include: o Write-up of the methodology (participatory activities) used o Write-up of results from activities o Conclusions and key recommendations for follow-up by the country program.
Co-writing of a journal article on the use of participatory activities for M&E with children
Desired Qualifications:
• Research experience in a related field; previous experience with qualitative data collection, research with children and participatory methods preferred • Work experience in a humanitarian or developing country setting preferred • French language abilities (written and spoken), strongly preferred • Experience writing research reports; academic publication record preferred • Excellent communication skills • Management and training skills; experience training research staff in data collection methods preferred
Schedule:
Proposed Visits
Visit 1: 2 weeks - May 2011 Visit 2: 2 weeks - October/November 2011 Visit 3: 2 weeks - April/May 2012
Application Process:
In addition to a cover letter and CV, please also submit a relevant writing sample (e.g., research-related report, publication presenting qualitative research results).
Visit http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=7046 to submit application materials.
No comments: