Scope of Work:

Researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute, University of Houston, and Notre Dame University (hereafter, the principal investigators, or PIs) are conducting a study to improve understanding of how local leaders can effectively promote resilience to shocks and crises at the community-level and of information asymmetries within the humanitarian and development aid distribution process in Mali. Specifically, we propose a survey of local leaders across 200-300 communes across Mali – to be chosen in consultation with the consultant – to gather systematic information on differences between communities in unexpected sources of community resiliency as well as local leaders’ perceptions and views on how humanitarian and development aid could be distributed to better match local needs and to support any local sources of resiliency. Within each commune, the survey firm would interview up to 5 local leaders, to be established in consultation with PIs, but which would generally consist of (1) the current mayor; (2) the mayor’s secretary; (3) the mayor’s counselor; (4) an individual who lost the most recent mayors’ election, if it was contested; and (5) a leader from a local civil society organization (CSO).

This contract with a survey firm will cover all activities associated with preparation for rollout of a survey of local leaders—as well as the survey itself—between November 2023 and February 2024. The survey firm has the following responsibilities:

1. Commune selection and preparation of survey protocols: In consultation with PIs and with qualitative research conducted in October 2023, help us to finalize a list of 200-300 communes that will comprise our research sites such that 1) the communes are sufficiently accessible to the survey firm and 2) the communes cover a sufficient range of geographic locations across Mali, with varying exposures to types of shocks. Prepare documents outlining how commune leaders will be recruited for the survey and appropriate protocols for scheduling meetings, plans for follow-up visits for those unavailable to survey, etc.

2. First-round contact: Find contact information for local mayors and set up pre-meetings (by phone or in-person, as appropriate) to explain the purpose of the project. Collect basic communal-level data during these pre-meetings and secure mayors’ consent to participate in research project.

3. Survey development, translation, and programming into CAPI: Work with the PIs to develop surveys for each type of local leader capturing desired topics. As far as content, we will gather data on leaders’ views on local sources of resiliency to crises, types of shocks experienced by the commune, views on how and whether donors effectively engage communities in distribution processes, views on how humanitarian and development aid could be distributed differently to better match effective local sources of resiliency, and perceived information gaps and asymmetries between donors and communities on both local needs and aid distribution processes. Following survey design, the survey firm should translate the survey instrument into local languages as needed and program the survey on tablets (CAPI) using the software of the firm’s choosing.

4. Piloting: Conduct a pilot of the survey with at least 5 local leaders other than those in which we plan to operate during our main study activities. Prepare a report with suggestions on modifications to logistics, question wording, survey length, or any other factors.

5. Recruitment and training of enumerators: Develop a survey fielding plan based on sample agreed upon with PIs, including schedule for data sharing during the fielding of the survey. Organize the selection, hiring, and payment of enumerators to conduct the required data collection work. Facilitate the enumerator training in collaboration with PIs. It is expected that this will entail approximately 5 days of classroom training.

6. Conduct surveys: Conduct the surveys of up to 5 leaders across each commune in the study sample. Share complete data generated from CAPI with PIs during the data collection, as data is uploaded to servers. These will not be cleaned data sets, but raw data as sent to the firm from the survey team. Conduct routine data cleaning to ensure consistency and address any issues in real time. Deliver full cleaned electronic dataset to PIs.

Deliverables:

1. First set of deliverables to include:

o Documents outlining how commune leaders will be recruited for the survey and appropriate protocols for scheduling meetings, plans for follow-up visits for those unavailable to survey, etc.

2. Second set of deliverables to include:

o (1) List of 200-300 accessible communes;

o (2) First-round contact, including commune-level data collected during this initial contact;

o (3) Survey translation;

o (4) CAPI programming of draft questionnaire;

o(5) Pilot report

3. Third set of deliverables to include:

o (1) Finalized questionnaire (in English and French developed in collaboration with PIs and coded in CAPI;

o (2) Agenda for enumerator training

4. Fourth set of deliverables to include:

o (1) Raw data;

o (2) Cleaned data

Required Qualifications:

Ø Excellent knowledge of Malian context, especially with regards to differences in local context and conditions across different parts of Mali

Ø Facility with French

Ø Ample experience designing and fielding surveys in Mali

Ø Experience working with local leaders to gain trust and knowledge of appropriate protocols regarding contacting and scheduling with local leaders

Ø Professional demeanor in all practice and particularly in oral and written communication

Ø Ability to approach people in a friendly, compelling, and engaging way

Ø Time-conscious, able to respect deadlines

Ø Good communication skills

Please submit a letter of interest highlighting qualifications mentioned above, along with a detailed budget and resume of the team leader. All supporting docs should be uploaded as one pdf to the application section indicating “CV or Resume. Materials should be submitted in English by November 8, 2023