Yemen: Survey Generalist for Competitive Agriculture Systems for High Value Crops (CASH)

Aug 4, 2014 | Land O'Lakes International Development

During the first three months of implementation, the CASH project commenced seven analytical studies to develop a clear picture of realities on the ground. The analytical studies are: 1) End Market Analysis, 2) Access to Finance Analysis, 3) Cost-Benefit Analysis, 4) Gender Analysis, 5) Environmental Analysis/Water Resource Analysis, 6) Conflict Trigger Analysis, and 7) Household Nutrition and Income Use Analysis. These studies will build off of critical lessons learned from previous and ongoing USAID, other donors, Yemeni Ministry of Agriculture, and private sector work on agricultural and artisanal value chains. Based on the analytical data generated and the lessons learned, CASH will launch pilot activities targeting three different groups of producers: commercial, small scale, and vulnerable households.

Based on USAID provided feedback on initial analysis submissions, additional in-country data gathering and report finalization is needed. Therefore, the CASH project is seeking a consultant to design tools and lead field-level data collection for the Gender and Nutrition and Income Use Analyses using household surveys, interviews and focus groups, among other resources. Additionally, CASH staff may provide additional questions to the consultant to expand on the household survey to facilitate additional project and study data collection needs. This role will also require close coordination with the COP and a shared provision of guidance to a locally hired firm, which will be conducting field-level data collection.

With the above data, the consultant will analyze and then consolidate the information from the other five studies into one final comprehensive report on “Gender, Nutrition and Income Use” in Yemen.

Why this Scope of Work is Important:

The CASH project will use the data from the seven analytical studies to design production, market access, and access to finance pilot interventions for implementation during Phase 2 (months four through twelve of project Year One). Further collection of field data generated from Yemen is essential to establish accurate project baseline data in order for CASH to be able to measure ultimately the project impacts on nutrition, income, cost-benefit, and water productivity.

Project Stakeholders: Roles and Responsibilities:

Land O’Lakes is the CASH project lead with a consortium of associates that includes the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), and Aid to Artisans (ATA), who will bring their tools and methodologies to build sustainable value chains and create opportunities for Yemeni women and vulnerable groups. Land O'Lakes will lead the project and the other partners will receive the final report and participate in the presentation of its findings. For example, IESC is a very important partner for this activity in that they will focus on access to finance and financial services for the rural households with whom CASH will work.

Level of Effort

·Maximum of 60 days of LOE have been allocated for this scope of work.

·The designated survey generalist will be allocated 55 days for this scope of work, which includes 5 days for preparation of the final report and presentation to project managers.

Scope of work:

Design tools and a data collection plan to complete both the Gender and Nutrition and Household Income Studies. Oversee household survey design and execution, ensuring additional questions provided by CASH staff are also incorporated into the survey instrument. Finalize the data collection in Yemen through conducting surveys, focus groups, and interviews to establish baselines and identify any additional missing data so that the CASH analytical reports can be completed with field-based research.

Specific Tasks:

Primary duties include designing methodology, developing survey instruments, testing the surveys, conducting surveys, and summarizing results as follows:

Gender Analysis:

  • Design and conduct a detailed field-based Gendered Value Chain Analysis of the selected markets/commodities to be able to map out specific areas of the market chain where women are involved using the Gender Enterprise Market Mapping (GEM) tool. This analysis should be coordinated with the Conflict Trigger analysis that is going to be conducted once specific value chain catchments are identified.
  • Conduct a gender income baseline survey.

Household Nutrition and Income Use Analysis

  • Analyze household nutrition and how household income is allocated in the seven target governorates. For quantitative data, the consultant will use random sampling to set a nutritional baseline among project participants and non-participants. Survey should consider average household income, employment status, food accessibility, and receipt of humanitarian assistance (if any).
  • Conduct semi-structured interviews, with either individuals or focus groups, and combine these with observations such as transect walks and visualization techniques such as mapping, seasonal calendars, ranking exercises, time charts and Venn diagrams. This will enable the project to understand people’s food habits and related beliefs, food entitlements and existing constraints, and the role that different family members make regarding nutrition (household food security, water, health and care).
  • Secondary duties include liaising with CASH staff to incorporate the following information needs into field-level data collection, to leverage the large area household surveys will cover.
  • The consultant will not be responsible for designing this portion of the study, but rather will ensure questions are appropriately incorporated into planned activities.

Access to Finance Analysis:

  • Incorporate access to finance questions into household survey. Questions will be provided by IESC and will determine farmer demand for credit and/or other financial services and their availability.

Environmental Analysis/Water Resource Study

  • Incorporate water management questions into household survey and field-based interviews, under the direction of the Land O’Lakes Practice Area Manager.

Conflict Triggers Analysis

  • Incorporate conflict triggers questions into household survey if and as requested by the CASH Security Manager and COP.

Additionally, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

·In consultation with the COP, design and draft the appropriate survey instruments in accordance with survey methodology best practices. The survey generalist will provide a copy of the draft analysis instruments to the Practice Area Manager for Gender, Food Security and Livelihoods for her review and comment.

·Develop a sample methodology using statistical methods to determine sample size and random selection of survey participants.

  • Conduct a field test of the instruments, and then revise and finalize them.
  • In consulation with the M&E Specialist, the survey generalist will develop the logistics plan for data collection and data entry for the gender analysis. Any use of project personnel, vehicles, or equipment will be cleared through the Chief of Party.
  • Train focus group facilitators to effectively ask questions and facilitate FGD, and train recorders to effectively and accurately record focus group data.
  • The survey generalist will conduct an analysis of the study data in accordance with Land O'Lakes FGD data analysis procedures, and as needed, in consultation with the M&E Manager or one of her associates.
  • The survey generalist will report on the analysis of the data and develop a report with chapters based on the key dimensions explored within the analysis.
  • At the conclusion of the report, the survey generalist will identify key findings and recommendations specific to the CASH project. These will include a focus not only on key actions to take, but on the ways in which project staff capacity should be developed to ensure that they can implement gender sensitive approaches effectively.
  • Consolidate additional data for the End Market, Access to Finance, Cost Benefit, Environment/Water and Conflict Triggers Studies and provide overall analysis of the situation.
  • The full report will be delivered to the CASH project management.

Requisite Experience

·Advanced Degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology, Anthropology or other similar field.

·Extensive knowledge of and experience with women and gender issues in Yemen.

·Minimum of five years’ experience conducting sample surveys in a leadership role (supervisor or manager), especially field-based household surveys, related agriculture, livelihoods, or food security and/or nutrition.

·Experience conducting or leading qualitative evaluation methods including but not limited to key informant interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD).

·Previous successful experience in training focus group facilitators and in conducting quality control during surveys.

·Advanced knowledge and experience in analysis of qualitative data surveys.

·Advanced knowledge and experience in the use of all Microsoft Office software.

·Previous successful experience conducting data analysis and delivery of data as per prescribed formats.

·Willingness to be a full team player and partner.

·Previous experience in and knowledge of rural agriculture in Yemen.

·Fluency in Arabic is an added advantage.

·Fluency in written and spoken English.

How to Apply:

https://lol.avature.net/Careers/JobDetail/Yemen-Survey-Generalist-Compet...