a. Description of Project
I-CARES aims to model and pilot a COVID-19 adaptation and early recovery towards recovery project that would address key social, economic, protection and governance issues and concerns in five (5) selected newly administered rural communities in the Municipality of Midsayap, North Cotabato Province.
Objectives:
- Vulnerable households will be better able to protect, rebuild and strengthen their livelihoods in the COVID-19 crisis.
- Vulnerable sectors’ social rights to inclusion and protection, education, and health are better promoted and protected amid COVID-19 crisis.
- Community and policy actors collaborate to improve social cohesion and resiliency in the COVID-19 crisis.
Islamic Relief envisages people and communities emerging from poverty and suffering. In the Philippines, we, are committed to facilitating empowering of communities and building their resilience through coherent humanitarian, development, and peace collaborations. Further, we are committed to contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the key principle of “leaving no one behind”.
The poor, as well as certain other nonpoor groups, are vulnerable from both the public-health challenges of the COVID-19 and the economic consequences of efforts to contain the virus. These vulnerable groups often have meagre savings to cushion them against sustained economic disruptions and may have even little protection against other related shocks i.e., job losses, and food insecurity. Their recovery may be challenging compared to those in higher-income groups.”
In the light of this crisis, Islamic Relief Philippines proposes I-CARES, a proposed 2-year project, directly implemented by Islamic Relief Philippines in collaboration with relevant stakeholders i.e., local government agencies, peoples’ organisation, faith-based organisation, the academe, government, and non-governmental agencies, etc.
The concept of the project builds, anchors, operationalise, and piloted Islamic Relief’s integrated and inclusive economic COVID-19 crisis recovery framework and key actions for households and communities in the five (5) spheres of influence, namely: (1) Social protection, (2) Livelihood’s promotion, (3) Financial inclusion, (4) Social inclusion, and (5) Resilience strengthening.
On the other hand, I-CARES project model is informed and shall be shaped by the gains and inspirations of Islamic Relief Philippines previous and ongoing projects around sustainable livelihoods, DRR, and peacebuilding.
Impact: Rural and vulnerable households’ and communities’ economic and social rights are protected and supported, and their resiliency enhanced amid COVID-19 crisis.
Outcome 1. Improved and sustained economic security of households and communities.
Outcome 2. Improved protection and promotion of the vulnerable population’s social rights to inclusion and protection, education, and health.
Outcome 3. Improved decision-making, community participation, and governance.
OVERVIEW OF SURVEY
a. Baseline Purpose and Objectives
A baseline assessment will be completed at the start of the project, with local stakeholders, to measure the status of all indicators and to understand the starting point of key elements of the work against which later progress will be measured. This will enable project indicators at output and outcome level to be measured and tracked.
The objective of the baseline survey is described to assess the economic condition of communities up to household level, social rights, and governance, including its policies. The baseline report is to be used for monitoring benchmark of ITT and evaluating the project implementation.
b. Key responsibilities expected of the Consultant
(i) Develop the sample frame for the baseline survey
(ii) Design the baseline survey questionnaire
(iii) Hire and train enumerators
(iv) Plan the field work and logistics
(v) Prepare survey implementation and questionnaire documentation
(vi) Supervise survey implementation and ensure quality control
(vii) Develop the data entry program, supervise the project database, and arrange for data cleaning and entry
(viii) Analyze and report the findings of the survey and provide datasets and final documentation.
SPECIFIC TASK OF THE CONSULTANT
a. Sample Selection
Determine the appropriate sample design and an adequate size for the sample within the financial limitations of the project to meet the objectives of the survey.
b. Data Collection Method
The selected research consultant will be required to prepare detailed research methodology in partnership with Islamic Relief Worldwide-Philippines. Baseline Survey will be proposed to apply both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A five (5) barangays in Municipality of Midsayap will be the areas for this baseline survey.
c. Implementing the Survey
Based on the sample frame, the consultant will create plans for implementing the sample design and identify and train a sufficient number of field enumerators to ensure that the survey is completed as per schedule.
Pre-Testing and Piloting Questionnaire – The consultant will have primary responsibility for pre-testing and piloting the questionnaire. After the pre-test and pilot survey, the questionnaire will be revised based on errors detected in the pre-test.
Managing Field Operations – The consultant will be responsible for all field operation, including logistical arrangements for data collection and obtaining the consent of respondents. Islamic Relief will support the consultant on coordination with local officials and leaders to explain the project and obtain community consent for baseline survey. The consultant will obtain maps, list and other community records as required. The consultant will also prepare brief fieldwork report including problems encountered, and how they were resolved.
d. Cleaning and Analyzing Baseline Data
· Develop a data entry program that can check for ranges and consistency of data.
· Enter all survey data concurrent with data collection.
· Conduct exploratory data analyses of key survey variables and their correlates and produce a statistical abstract of the data.
· Datasets need to be complete and labeled with both variable names and value labels.
QUALIFICATION
a. Required Skills and Experience
· Master’s degree in social sciences, statistics, agriculture, or other related fields.
· This assignment requires the services of a consultant that can demonstrate skills relating to analytical capacity, with extensive experience in designing and conducting household level socio-economic surveys and analyzing survey data. Adequate reporting and English editing.
· Prior experience of conducting baseline and impact studies in the development sector;
· Experience of data collection in conflict situations;
· Proven writing, analysis and presentation skills;
· Fluency in written and spoken English and good drafting skills;
b. Competencies
· Analytical skills, communications abilities, teamwork.
· Strong analytical skills
· Ability to take responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved.
· Excellent time management skills;
· Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
· Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
· Skills and experience in research ethics
· Proven capacity to plan and manage survey operations and logistics;
· Demonstrated knowledge and application of data quality assurance practices;
· Capacity to work under a tight schedule and to meet deadlines.
DURATION AND TIME SCHEDULE
The baseline survey will be implemented from November 2021 to January 2022.
How to apply:
Interested applicants should send their CV with a cover letter on or before November 17, 2021, to HR.Philippines@islamic-relief.org.ph with email subject or refence BASELINE CONSULTANT.
Islamic Relief Worldwide is a humanitarian and development organization and working in livelihood WASH, and DRR sectors in line with our vision of a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others. We work regardless of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or gender.
Selection will be based on application letter, CV, interview, and other relevant documents (as requested). Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
(Note: We need to fill in this role as soon as possible therefore we may stop considering job applications before the closing date as soon as suitable applications are received.)