Country: Uganda
Closing date: 12 Jun 2015
Assessment Coordinator for the Acholi ‘Strategic Resilience Assessment’ (STRESS)
Mercy Corps is an International Non-Governmental Organization operating in Uganda since 2006, and implementing a wide range of programs including food security, health/nutrition, water/sanitation, agriculture and economic development. It has field offices in Kitgum, Kaabong, Kotido and Moroto districts.
In recognition of the need to build resilience building into its current and future portfolio of programs, MCU will undertake a Strategic Resilience Assessment (STRESS) of Acholi Region. To do so, the assessment will seek to understand the significant factors that contribute to the cycle of poverty with special focus on especially vulnerable groups such as women and girls, youth, and the poorest households. By looking across scale, from national to local levels, the assessment will explore a wide-range of driving factors, from the institutional enabling environment, to local causes of instability. The project will build an evidence-based understanding of vulnerability and resilience capacity, map the causal relationships between elements as an overall system, and explore the effects of shocks and stresses. The expected results are Theories of Change comprised of a set of development strategies expected to build the resilience of communities or specific groups of people in Acholi.
SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY WORK
The Consultant will:
- Coordinate and provide logistical support for all workshops and team meetings in terms of disseminating information, securing the locations, materials, and other needs as expressed by the Assessment Lead.
- Support data collection and field research as requested by the Assessment Lead. Coordinate and supervise data collection teams in the field and collect data as needed.
o Literature Review– build a database of referenced papers, reports, and articles. Summarize references as needed
o Expert Interviews– Organize and carry out interviews as needed. Summarize meeting notes as requested.
o *Community Level Participatory Appraisals –*Coordinate, provide inputs and participate in the development of the assessment tools. Directly coordinate and supervise data collection teams in the field. Carry out Key Informant Interviews and other research methods as needed.
- Manage the collection, storage, processing, and organization of all incoming data. Provide technical inputs as requested by the Assessment lead.
- Assist the Assessment Lead with communications and written outputs as needed
DELIVERABLES
The Consultant will deliver the following written products:
- Consolidated and cleaned data tables and summaries of collected data
- Data Collection Tools such as Interview Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion Templates, and Participatory Appraisal Activities.
- Written contributions to key outputs such as the Final Report
QUALIFICATIONS
· Practical experience collecting, analysing and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data
· Cultural sensitivity
· Excellent interpersonal skills working with government official and non-governmental representatives
· University degree in social, environment, agriculture, or economic related field
· Minimum 3 years experience in applied social, environmental, agricultural or economic research in Uganda
· Work experience in Acholi Sub-Region highly preferred
· Experience supervising and implementing Participatory Rural Assessments (or similar) is required
· Experience supervising and implementing Community Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (or similar) is highly preferred
· Strong computer-based data management skills and experience
· Fluency in English (written and oral)
TIMELINE
The total number of workdays is estimated to be 60 days over 3 months (~100% LoE)
How to apply:
APPLICATIONS
Interested consultants can collect the detailed terms of reference from Mercy Corps Office in the address below or request through email to consultant@ug.mercycorps.org. Applicants are expected to send their technical and financial proposals together with a cover letter to the Mercy Corps, Kampala Head Office on 4th Floor Embassy Plaza, Plot 1188-1190 Ggaba Road, before close of business on Friday 12th June 2015.