Survey Firm for Impact Evaluation

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), which is dedicated to providing research-based policy solutions to sustainably 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 development, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and nutrition, and collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and international organizations, to implement its projects and research initiatives.

Job Overview:
The position involves conducting an impact evaluation survey for the Yemen Emergency Social Protection Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Project (ESPECRP), which is funded by the World Bank. The primary objective of this role is to assess the effectiveness of geo-bundled interventions aimed at improving food security and nutrition among vulnerable populations in Yemen. The selected survey firm will be responsible for designing and implementing the survey, coordinating with local partners, and ensuring data quality and integrity throughout the process. The firm will work closely with IFPRI to develop survey instruments, recruit and train field staff, and manage data collection and analysis. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of the local context, as well as the ability to adapt methodologies to fit the unique challenges of conducting research in Yemen.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The survey firm will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Obtaining necessary permits and clearances for conducting the survey in Yemen, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
• Designing and finalizing the survey questionnaire in collaboration with IFPRI, ensuring it is culturally appropriate and contextually relevant.
• Implementing a pilot test of the survey to validate the questionnaire and data collection processes.
• Recruiting and training field researchers, including supervisors and interviewers, ensuring a balanced representation of genders among interviewers.
• Conducting the main data collection phase, which involves administering surveys to selected households and ensuring data quality through regular monitoring and supervision.
• Implementing a robust data entry and cleaning process, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the collected data.
• Providing regular updates and reports to IFPRI on the progress of the survey and any challenges encountered during data collection.
• Analyzing the collected data and preparing comprehensive reports that detail the findings and implications of the research.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal survey firm should possess the following qualifications:

• Proven experience in conducting large-scale surveys, particularly in challenging environments similar to Yemen.
• A strong understanding of social protection, food security, and nutrition issues, particularly in the context of conflict-affected regions.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals for fieldwork in Yemen, with established relationships with local authorities.
• Expertise in data collection methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative approaches, and familiarity with mobile data collection tools.
• A track record of delivering high-quality data and reports in a timely manner, with references from previous clients or projects.

Educational Background:
The survey firm should have a team composed of individuals with relevant educational backgrounds, including degrees in social sciences, public health, economics, or related fields. Team members should have experience in research design, data collection, and analysis, with a strong emphasis on quantitative methods. Additionally, familiarity with the local context and language will be beneficial for effective communication and data collection.

Experience:
The survey firm should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting surveys and evaluations, particularly in the fields of social protection, food security, and nutrition. Experience working in Yemen or similar conflict-affected regions is highly desirable, as it demonstrates the firm's ability to navigate the complexities of conducting research in such environments. Previous experience collaborating with international organizations, NGOs, and government agencies will also be an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory, as the survey will be conducted in Yemen. Proficiency in English is also required for communication with IFPRI and for reporting purposes. Knowledge of local dialects may be advantageous for interviewers to effectively engage with respondents.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is expected to last from May 2025 to August 2026, covering both phases of the data collection process. The survey firm will be required to submit a detailed financial proposal, including a budget breakdown for the various phases of the project. The firm must also demonstrate its capacity for quality control and data cleaning, ensuring that the final datasets are accurate and reliable. Compensation will be based on the deliverables outlined in the contract, with payments linked to the successful completion of specific milestones.