Consultancy for Survey Implementer to Conduct Qualitative Data Collection at International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

STATEMENT OF WORK
The selected firm will be responsible for coordinating and conducting face-to-face qualitative data collection among farming households and communities in selected counties in Kenya (possibly Kajiado, Kisumu, Turkana, and/or Vihiga). The qualitative survey will consist of in-person interviews and focus groups with men and women farmers (lasting 90–120 minutes), and all data should be collected by November 30, 2022. IFPRI will work closely with the Nature+ Kenya country coordination team. Exact instruments and methods/tools to be used will be decided in collaboration with IFPRI, Nature+ Kenya country coordination team, and the data collection firm.

The activities of the data collection implementer are detailed as follows:

1. Work with IFPRI and the Nature + team of researchers to finalize the protocols for data collection and pilot these in the field.
2. Translate interview and focus group protocols and informed consent statement into local languages (as needed).
3. Obtain local ethics clearance, research permits, and/or other local approvals. IFPRI will obtain institutional ethics clearance.
4. Organize the selection, hiring, and payment of facilitators experienced in qualitative data collection to conduct the required focus groups and interviews. This will include hiring both male and female facilitators with the necessary language skills to ensure respondents for the individual interviews and focus groups are matched on sex.
5. With assistance from the IFPRI, provide training to the facilitators and note takers in how to conduct the interviews and focus groups. Each protocol will have specific instructions for the data collection approach. Following training, protocols will be pretested in collaboration with IFPRI staff. IFPRI and the selected firm will jointly consider the COVID-19 implications of whether IFPRI staff conducting the training will do so in-person or virtually. It is expected that there will be 3 days of training, including 1 day of training, 1 day of pre-testing, and 1 day for debriefing.
6. Develop a field schedule for the qualitative data collection teams and provide regular status updates during fieldwork.
7. Participate in weekly meetings with IFPRI throughout data collection.
8. All interviews and focus groups should be recorded (pending consent from the participants), transcribed verbatim and translated into English immediately following data collection. (If the participant does not consent to the recording, a note taker should take as detailed notes as possible.) Transcripts should be delivered to IFPRI in Word format.
9. Provide responses to queries from IFPRI in relation to data analysis and translation (as needed).
10. Provide a brief report covering qualitative survey fieldwork, as well as any issues related to implementation.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: August 15, 2022 to December 31, 2022

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Demonstrated experience conducting qualitative data collection in Kenya within the past 5 years.
• Demonstrated experience conducting participatory tools and methods such as resource mapping seasonal calendars, Venn diagrams, etc.; semi-structured focus group discussions; and in-depth interviews.
• Expert knowledge of local context and languages in the target areas.
• Experience in building trust and good relations with village leaders, interviewees, and communities.
• Strong program management skills.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully coordinating field teams and managing deliverables.
• Demonstrated experience with obtaining appropriate local ethics review and permits.