Consultant for Quantitative Study

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Position Title: Consultant for Quantitative Study
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is a research organization that aims to provide evidence-based solutions to reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. Established in 1975, IFPRI operates in over 40 countries and employs more than 300 staff members, including researchers, policy analysts, and support staff. The organization focuses on agricultural research and policy analysis to improve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and nutrition globally, with a strong emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices and the integration of technology in farming.

Job Overview:
The position involves conducting a quantitative research study aimed at collecting baseline household data to evaluate the impact of digital tool integration on agricultural outcomes, youth employment, and gender inequality within Kenya's Potato Value Chain. The consultant will be responsible for coordinating and conducting face-to-face quantitative surveys among farming households in Nakuru and Nyandarua counties. This study is part of a larger project funded by the Mastercard Foundation, which seeks to understand the current economic status, agricultural practices, labor practices, food consumption, and dietary diversity among farmers, with a particular focus on gender and youth differences. The consultant will work closely with IFPRI to design the survey instrument and select study locations, ensuring that data collection is completed by November 30, 2024.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including: translating the survey instrument and interview guide into local languages as necessary; obtaining ethics clearance, research permits, and other local approvals; acquiring tablets for computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) data collection; developing, testing, and finalizing the CAPI data entry program; preparing a field implementation manual for enumerator training; organizing the selection, hiring, and payment of enumerators, ensuring gender balance among interviewers; facilitating enumerator training and survey pretests; developing a field schedule for data collection teams; providing regular status updates during fieldwork; developing spot- and back-check protocols; participating in weekly meetings with IFPRI; sharing data generated from spot and back-checks; conducting data cleaning and ensuring consistency; and delivering cleaned datasets in Stata format along with a brief report on the fieldwork and data management issues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess demonstrated experience in conducting quantitative survey fieldwork in Kenya within the last five years, along with experience in survey-related training. An expert understanding of the local context and languages in the target areas is essential, as is the ability to build trust and maintain good relations with village leaders and communities. Strong program management skills are required, along with a proven track record of coordinating large field teams and managing deliverables. Proficiency in computer skills, particularly with CAPI and statistical software packages, is necessary. Candidates should also have experience obtaining local ethics review and permits, familiarity with digital tools in agriculture, and an understanding of youth employment and gender dynamics in the agricultural sector.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not explicitly stated, it is implied that candidates should have a strong academic background in fields related to social sciences, agricultural economics, or a similar discipline that supports quantitative research methodologies.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in conducting quantitative surveys, particularly in the agricultural sector within Kenya. Experience in managing field teams and coordinating large-scale data collection efforts is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in local languages relevant to the target areas is highly desirable to facilitate effective communication during the survey process.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is specifically open to firms, and interested parties must submit a cost proposal along with their application. The proposal should detail the approach, human resources, timing, and costs associated with the project. The selected firm will be expected to manage the contract with IFPRI and source the necessary human resources independently. The application process does not guarantee individual responses to all applicants; only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.