VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Concern Worldwide is an Irish based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern is currently recruiting the below post:

Job CODE: 22-001 NC (You must quote this code on your application)

Job Title: Qualitative Data Collection and Report Writing Training – Consultant (x1)

Location: Based in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

Reporting To: PD, MEAL Coordinator and ANSARM programme coordinator

Responsible For: A short-term consultancy on Qualitative data collection and report writing on-field activities which is a key issue affecting the quality of programme reports.

Job Purpose: Concern Liberia is soliciting an in-country expert with a background in Research or MEAL subjects like Statistics, Experience in the use of Mixed Methods, participatory approaches, community-based research, applied research, development cooperation programming and donor reporting. Concern-Liberia expects the training will help field staff write clear and comprehensive reports articulating qualitative data collection findings and the achievements/non-achievement in the field beyond activity level up to outcome level.

Background

Concern Worldwide has been present in Liberia since 1991. Currently, Concern is active in Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Grand Geddeh, Sinoe and is about to begin working in Grand Kru, Maryland and Rivergee. Additional counties are also under consideration as we continue to seek new sources of funding to extend interventions to other counties of Liberia in line with the Concern Country Strategy (2017/2021), and the recent country contextual analysis undertaken in December. Concern’s work in Liberia has over the last years focused on transitioning from emergency to humanitarian development assistance, to consolidate the gains from political and economic stability, and in line with the ambitions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Alliance 2015 to which Concern is a global member. A new country strategy was developed in 2021 which retains Concern’s focus on addressing child malnutrition. Our two key programmes end in 2022, as such there is an interesting window of opportunity for staff to contribute to shaping future programmes. The training proposed as part of this consultancy would be invaluable.

Presently, there are three major programme implementations ongoing in Grand Bassa and Rivercess counties, namely:

ANSARM “Accelerating Nutrition, and Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Management’’ programme, PARTNERS “Prosperous Agriculture Roadmap to Nutrition & Entrepreneurship, Reinforcing Sustainability’’ programme, and Liberia WASH Consortium. Several smaller projects are also being implemented to complement the larger ones. Qualitative data collection and report writing on-field activities is a key issue affecting the quality of programme reports. Concern-Liberia expects the training will help field staff write clear and comprehensive report articulating qualitative data collection findings and the achievements/non-achievement in the field beyond activity level up to outcome level.

The portfolio of projects and programmes in Concern Liberia are all multi-sector integrated as such the Irish Aid flagship ANSARM programme is the focus for this training. The training will involve the MEAL and programmes teams as these skills are needed for both. The training will take the form of five days of trainings, MEAL x5 morning half day sessions and Programmes x5 afternoon half day sessions from the 14th of February to the 18th of February subject to negotiation and availability. The option of field visits and on-the-job training will be discussed.

Purpose of the consultancy

Qualitative data collection and report writing is particularly complex and challenging with multi-sector integrated programmes. Concern Liberia team are over focused on activity level reporting and struggle to have confidence in documenting the findings of qualitative data collection and applying analysis to activity level reporting. The team are very strong at verbally articulation and can engage with excellent dialogues on qualitative data findings and their implications for programme outcomes and reporting, but developing this skill in written form is a long term priority for the Senior Management Team.

Training Consultancy

ANSARM is a multi-sector integrated nutrition programme, which includes livelihoods, WASH, gender equality, nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. The Concern Liberia team engage in extensive qualitative data collection and report writing but struggle to report above activity level. The consultancy has two objectives:

1) Train the team on good practice qualitative data collection; and

2) strengthen the report writing skills of the team documenting achievements to outcome level.

Outcomes: Improved qualitative data collection skills in Concern Liberia. Improved quality report writing including analysis at outcome level. Location is the Buchanan Office Conference Room in Liberia.

Objective and specific tasks

The consultant will design two training programmes one focused on the MEAL team who have some experience of qualitative data collection as part of their current work. The starting point for this training will be more advanced than for the programmes team. The training will run over 5 days in half day sessions – sessions focused on qualitative data collection techniques, this can include a field visit if needed, and sessions focused on documentation and report writing on qualitative data collected.

The starting point for the programmes aspects of the training will be more basic. It will include an introduction to qualitative data collection techniques and methodologies. It will focus on a practical hands on approach and field based data collection. The training will run over 5 days in half day sessions – sessions focused on qualitative data collection techniques, this can include a field visit if needed, and sessions focused on documentation and report writing on qualitative data collected.

For both groups specific examples will be worked through with the team including an example of how to document and evidence success stories using qualitative data collection tools. Similarly it would be useful to present how to approach qualitative data collection at field level, including observational data collection when doing field visits and how to report on these.

Proposed Method

The consultant will be engaged to develop a methodology based on consultations with the MEAL Coordinator, PD and ANSARM Programme Coordinator. 5 days of qualitative data collection training will focus on focus group discussions, key informant interviews and observational data collection. 5 days report writing training will include how to document qualitative data collection properly and thoroughly, how to analyse the findings of qualitative data collected and prepare insightful written reports with confidence. Documenting and evidencing success stories using qualitative data collection tools and observational data collection when doing field visits and how to report on these should be strengthened as a result of this training.

The consultant will prepare an inception report which will include a detailed agenda and the methodology to be used for the training for PD, MEAL Coordinator and ANSARM Programme Coordinator validation before the training takes place on the 14th of February.

Timeline

Deliverables (outputs)

An 8 day consultancy

1x inception report detailing training agenda and methodology broken down by MEAL team and Programmes team due 14th of February 2022 1xTraining materials and homework assignment package due 14th of February 2022

Trainings due the 14th to 18th of February 2022

1x short 3-5 pages post training report with key recommendations for follow up due 18th of February 2022

2 days worth of support on reviewing homework and on the job assignments for feedback.

Lines of Communication

The consultant will report to the PD, MEAL Coordinator and ANSARM programme coordinator. Quoted daily rate should include all transport and accommodation fees. Concern will not provide any additional budget behind the daily rate agreed.

Experience and competencies

[Adjust this list as appropriate. Can also indicate what is essential vs desirable]

∙ Post-graduate degrees in Development Cooperation related Research or MEAL subjects like Statistics

∙ Similar experience of conducting qualitative data collection skills training;

∙ Knowledge of the Liberia regional context and excellent fluency in English language;

∙ Familiarity and technical knowledge of MEAL, qualitative data collection, donor report writing and data analysis to outcome level; ∙ Familiarity with international quality and accountability standards applied in the development and humanitarian sector; ∙ Experience in the use of Mixed methods, participatory approaches, community based research, applied research, development cooperation programming and donor reporting

∙ Previous proven experience of conducting qualitative data collection trainings and donor report writing

∙ Excellent communications skills are a must

Application process

The total budget for the training will be negotiated with Concern and the lead trainer in compliance with Concern rules and regulations. All anticipated costs should be included and detailed in the budget. Proposals submitted without a detailed budget will not be considered. Insurance and medical

expenses, including accidents on the job, are not covered by Concern. If other expenses are anticipated, these must be approved discussed and approved by Concern in advance.

If a field visit is proposed as part of the training Concern can supp54ort the logistics for this travel to and from the Concern Buchanan office. All interested persons/training firms should submit an application including the following by the 4th of February 2022: 1. CV(s) of the lead trainer(s) and breakdown of how many will run the training

2. A list of projects, clients, and dates of previous works
3. Brief technical proposal that includes a draft proposed training agenda and training methodology (dates in the TOR are flexible depending on the proposal and availability)

How to apply:

By email to: liberia.hr@concern.net with the JOB CODE 22-001-NC Qualitative Data Collection and Report Writing Training – Consultant clearly in the SUBJECT LINE.

By Hand to: HR Department, Concern Worldwide, Building Number-5 Andalucía’s Complex Compound Number-2, Between 6th & 7th Streets Sinkor Beachside, Behind Home City Furniture Store, Monrovia.

JOB CODE 22-001-NC Qualitative Data Collection and Report Writing Training – Consultant.

Applications must include the following:

∙ JOB CODE 22-001-NC Qualitative Data Collection and Report Writing Training – Consultant

∙ A letter of application stating why you believe you are the best suited for the position.

∙ A copy of your CV (maximum 4 pages) giving active daytime contacts.

∙ Names and addresses of two (2) work-related referees with professional e-mail addresses.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS Friday 11th February 2022.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

WOMEN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society. While all applicants will be strictly assessed on their individual merit, qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.