Qualitative Research Specialist

Terms of Reference: Qualitative Research Specialist

Project Effectiveness Review

Women’s Access to Justice 2 in Lebanon

Overview

As part of Oxfam GB’s Global Performance Framework, every year a small number of projects are sampled for impact evaluation (known as an Effectiveness Review[1]). The purpose of the Project Effectiveness Review is to rigorously assess the impact of this project on the people it is intending to support.  Impact will be evaluated using mixed methods including a measurement tool based on a composite index – the Women’s Empowerment Index[2], combined with qualitative techniques.

Programme Summary

The Women’s Access to Justice in the MENA region (Phase 2) is a 3-year project implemented by Oxfam GB in partnership with five NGO partners in Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen and Egypt. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to equitable access to formal and informal justice for poor and vulnerable women in target countries. The project seeks to work at the personal, community and systemic levels while fostering stakeholders’ engagement and influencing decision makers at all levels. The Effectiveness Review will assess the impact of the project in Lebanon only.

Scope of the Consultancy

The Qualitative Research Specialist will work with the Oxfam GB Evaluation Team to develop appropriate qualitative participatory approaches and methods, which may include a combination of qualitative tools. These will be used to collect data on individual and community perceptions of change on women’s access to justice in Tripoli and/or Mount Lebanon area. . NB This position is to collect data only – analysis is done by Oxfam in-house.

Scope of work/key tasks:

• Participate in the theory of change workshop with a cross-section of project stakeholders to identify the causal linkages that will be the focus of the evaluation.
• Work with Oxfam staff to select a suitable qualitative methodology and tools for evaluating the project’s impact on women’s access to justice. The consultant will need to have experience in the methodology selected (at application stage the consultant is requested to provide evidence of previous research using such methodology).
• Hire an assistant to provide support throughout the qualitative data collection exercise including the capture of detailed notes.
• Participate in a two-day workshop for the qualitative research team. This will include one day of familiarisation with the selected methodology and questions and one day of field testing.

• Organise the logistical arrangements necessary to carry out the field work, including transport and accommodation for the research team, as necessary. Proposals should outline where Oxfam should support on this, and the budget provided must include these costs.
• Arrange the translation of the questions and tools, into Arabic (where appropriate). However, the consultant and assistant selected should be fluent in both English and Arabic.
• Undertake data collection in the field ensuring that the selected respondents are interviewed; that interviews or focus groups are carried out to a high standard.
• Write a report on the conduct of the field work, including details of any problems which were encountered and how they were resolved, and any feedback which may be useful for future evaluations.

Deliverables

• Working with Oxfam’s Global Advisor, develop a set of qualitative tools and question checklists for focus groups, interviews etc. – translated into Arabic.
• Detailed schedule of data collection activities and locations including description of selection criteria of communities and respondents
• Set of detailed and legible notes (scanned or typed) from all interviews/focus groups, with breakdown of respondent details
• Report on the conduct of the field work, including details of any problems which were encountered and how they were resolved, and any feedback which may be useful for future surveys

Time Commitment

• The Qualitative Research Specialist’s assignment is expected to take approximately 20 working days to complete which includes days for preparation, design workshop and field work
• Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
• Evaluation Design workshop and preliminary scoping field visits will take place during week of Monday 27th November – if possible would like consultant to join.
• Data Collection will take place in January.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES

• Masters student or graduate in research, gender (or equivalent work experience)
• Fluency in Arabic
• Ability to read, write and understand English effectively.
• Significant experience of conducting qualitative research related to women’s empowerment
• Experience of  participatory qualitative methods including PRA tools 
• Energy and a positive attitude to work
• Experience working  in  rural  and urban areas  of  Lebanon,  with  a  strong  understanding  of  gender equality issues in Lebanon
• Feminist Research and Evaluation knowledge highly desirable
• Experience of legal empowerment issues in Lebanon desirable

Application Process

Interested and qualified consultants or researchers should send their CV/resume – which should clear show which qualitative methods and tools you are experienced in, your daily rate, and an example(s) of previous qualitative research by 22^nd Nov and indicate APPLICATION FOR PROJECT EFFECTIVENESS REVIEW IN LEBANON in the subject line to the email [email protected].

Successful applications will be invited to interview on a rolling basis, and then be asked to submit a brief proposal and budget including:

• Consultant’s fees and subsistence for approximately 20 days of work by Qualitative Research Specialist. Fees for a note-taker to support Qualitative Research Specialist as required
• Use of a training venue and of any equipment required.
• Transport and subsistence costs for Qualitative Research Team.
• Translation of qualitative tools into local language, where appropriate.
• Any other costs anticipated in completing this assignment.

Payment schedule

The gross amount of 30% will be paid up-front (to cover all logistical costs + a share of the consultancy fees), whereas the remaining amount of 70% will be paid upon successful completion of the assignment (i.e. once all deliverables have been submitted to and approved by Oxfam). Receipts of all payments made in the context of this review need to be kept by the consultant and submitted to Oxfam for verification of whether expenses are made according to the agreed budget.

[1]http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/our-approach/monitoring-evaluation/e...

[2]http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/a-how-to-guide-to-measu...