Survey Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is a renowned research organization dedicated to providing evidence-based solutions to reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. Established in 1975, IFPRI operates in over 40 countries and employs a diverse team of more than 300 staff members, including researchers, policy analysts, and support staff. The organization focuses on agricultural policy research and aims to improve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and nutrition through innovative research and partnerships with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The position of Survey Consultant involves conducting a comprehensive survey of households in wildlife farming areas of Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam. The primary objective is to gather data on the economic aspects of wildlife trade and its impact on local communities. The consultant will be responsible for direct in-person interviews with wildlife farmers, traders, and non-wildlife producing households to compare their economic statuses. This role requires collaboration with local authorities to update household lists and implement a sampling strategy for the survey. The consultant will also be tasked with ensuring the surveys are conducted efficiently and ethically, adhering to the guidelines set by IFPRI.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Survey Consultant will lead the process of obtaining ethical clearance from an in-country Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent. They will coordinate with local authorities to secure necessary permissions and consultations before fieldwork begins. The consultant will translate, adapt, and pretest survey instruments to ensure they are linguistically accurate and contextually relevant. They will program the finalized survey instruments using data collection software, ensuring IFPRI researchers have access for testing and feedback. The consultant will develop plans for enumerator training, fieldwork, and quality control, and will update lists of wildlife farming households as provided by IFPRI. They will administer in-person surveys to 800 households and conduct structured interviews with 50 groups of key informants, implementing a quality control plan throughout the survey process. The consultant will maintain administrative records of survey completion and reasons for non-completion, undertake data cleaning and validation, and provide both original Vietnamese and translated English versions of survey responses.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have extensive experience in implementing quantitative household surveys using electronic data collection tools, preferably in rural settings. A strong track record of interacting with diverse stakeholders, including local government officials and community leaders, is essential. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Vietnamese are mandatory. The consultant should also demonstrate a solid understanding of ethical considerations in survey research and possess the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in social sciences, public policy, or a related field is required. A master's degree or higher in a relevant discipline is preferred, as it demonstrates a deeper understanding of research methodologies and data analysis techniques relevant to the position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting household surveys, particularly in rural or agricultural contexts. Experience working with local communities and government entities in Vietnam is highly desirable, as it will facilitate smoother interactions and enhance the quality of data collected.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Vietnamese is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages spoken in the region may be considered an asset, as it could aid in communication with diverse community members and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is expected to be full-time and will involve fieldwork in various communities within Thai Nguyen province. The contract duration is until the completion of the survey project, with a deadline for applications set for March 6, 202

• Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, and benefits may include travel allowances and support for fieldwork-related expenses.