Qualitative Data Collection Consultant

Call of expression of interest

Consultant to conduct participatory workshops in the Citizenship and Political Participation project in Sierra Leone

Title: Qualitative Data Collection Consultant

Location: Sierra Leone, regional field work and attending the office in Freetown for meetings

Consultancy length: 20 days across 6 months

Overview of the consultancy

The Irish Aid funded A Better World (ABW) programme consists of eight projects across Cameroon, Liberia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone working on three thematic areas: citizenship and political participation (CPP), inclusive education (IE) and inclusive eye health (IEH).

The CPP project’s outcome statement is: “Governance systems and processes…are more inclusive, accessible, and responsive to people with disabilities, so that they can engage in decision-making and active citizenship.”

A qualitative data collection activity is planned in 2024 to support evidence generation and evaluability of the project’s outcome.

This work is to support evidence generation and evaluability across the ABW programme. Qualitative data collection activities are being planned to collect in-depth narratives that help to understand change. There are planned parti cipatory workshops with initial activities that aim to set the scene to better understand the changes that occur during the project.

The focus of the data collection will be on understanding the recent/current perceptions and experiences of stakeholders in relation to the participation of youths with disabilities in local governance. This activity will purposively sample young women and men with disabilities and community leaders to discuss their perceptions and experiences.

The data collection activity will be qualitative and participatory, involving storytelling through workshops with the different stakeholder groups. The tools will be adapted and flexibly used to ensure appropriateness with the different stakeholders and accessibility for people with disabilities.

Purpose of the consultancy

The consultant will be required to support with the primary data collection, as well as some aspects of preparation for data collection, and the data analysis and report writing. The consultant will bring experience and expertise in participatory methods and workshop facilitation. A consultant based in Sierra Leone is strongly preferred, to bring contextual knowledge and understanding, as well as local language skills. The consultant will work closely with Sightsavers MEL staff and the project team in Sierra Leone, to conduct the data collection and complete other relevant tasks.

Consultant specifications

This activity requires a consultant who specialises in participatory MEL methods, with extensive experience facilitating participatory workshops and using tools for participatory storytelling. Below is a list of the consultant specification:

• Extensive experience and expertise in using participatory methods and tools for MEL is essential.
• Extensive experience facilitating disability and gender inclusive participatory workshops with the ability to ensure active and meaningful engagement from a range of different stakeholders is essential.
• Experience working with people with different disabilities is essential.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, ability to work in local languages in Sierra Leone including Krio is essential.
• Ability to produce clear, concise, and analytical reports in English, with excellent attention to detail and ability to meet agreed deadlines.
• Demonstrable experience of producing learning and summary documents to share findings and recommendations in clear and engaging ways is essential.
• Experience using participatory storytelling approaches (including participatory photography) is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of inclusive local development, political participation, and civic engagement in the context of Sierra Leone is desirable.

This is a varied and involved consultancy and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. For full details of the Background to this work, the approach, methodology, timelines, and budget, please see the Terms of Reference.

To apply for this exciting consu ltancy, please upload your CV and complete the online Expression of Interest form (EOI) during the application process, via our application portal.

Closing date: 21 July 2024

Interviews will be held during the week of 5 August 2024