Background

The SELEVER impact evaluation involves a cluster-randomized controlled trial design implemented in 120 rural communities/villages within 60 communes supported by SELEVER in the Boucle du Mouhoun, Centre-Ouest and Haut-Bassins regions of Burkina Faso. In this trial, communities were randomly assigned to one of three treatment arms, including 1) SELEVER intervention group; 2) SELEVER with an intensive WASH component (SELEVER+WASH); and 3) control group without intervention. The primary outcomes for the trial are the mean probability of adequacy of diets for women and children (2-4 years at baseline), infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices of caregivers of children aged 0-2 years, and household poultry production and sales. Intermediate outcomes along the agriculture and nutrition pathways were also measured, including child nutrition status and development.

In parallel, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), insecurity across the Sahel, including localized violence, insurgency, and demonstrations, has been spreading and evolving. As public discontent grows with government responses to the violence, governments in the region have become increasingly destabilized. In Burkina Faso in particular, militant violence has increased exponentially since 2019. Reported civilian deaths in 2019 were over four times those recorded in the whole of 2018, and in only three weeks the number of internally displaced people increased by nearly 70% to half a million.

Objectives

A consultancy is required to support the analysis of the dynamics of conflict in Burkina Faso. Activities include supporting the analysis of secondary data from the ACLED database and multiple rounds of household survey data from the SELEVER cluster randomized controlled trial in Burkina Faso, including a pre-conflict baseline. The trial study population in Burkina Faso borders the Mopti region of Mali, the study area that has been the focus of our previous extensive analysis of the effects of conflict and food assistance.

Outputs

Two deliverables are envisioned as part of this work including 1) an updated draft on evolution of insecurity in Burkina Faso and 2) inputs and feedback on a draft report on the effects on insecurity on rural populations in Burkina Faso.

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in development economics
• Over 5 years experience in analyzing insecurity in the Sahel, including Mali and Burkina Faso
• Track record in publishing journal articles in high-ranking academic journals on quantitative analyses of insecurity in the Sahel
• Previous experience on working on rigorous impact evaluations in the Sahel, including work on insecurity and gender related dynamics

Application

Please submit your cv, daily rate and writing sample. All supporting documents shall be submitted as one pdf to the application section indicating CV or Resume. Deadline to apply: June 14, 2024.