CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT QUALITATIVE RESEARCH VULNERABILITY ODISHA STUDY

UNICEF India is seeking to contract a qualified researcher, with expertise in qualitative data analysis and analytical writing, to support the core study team from EPRI with the coding and analysis of transcripts from participatory field research methods, and to write a comprehensive, analytical and high-quality final report to summarize all the findings from the research, both quantitative and qualitative.

LOCATION: Home-based consultancy with interaction with the contract supervisors over skype as and when required

DURATION OF CONSULTANCY:  3 months

CLOSING DATE:   30 October 2019

 

1. BACKGROUND / RATIONALE

 Odisha is the 11^th most populous state in India and home to more than 42 million people. The state’s surge in growth and rapid expansion in public spending in the past few decades has led to rapid poverty reduction over the last two decades. As per the poverty estimates based on revised Tendulkar methodology, Odisha had the distinction of achieving the largest poverty reduction of 24.6 percentage points from 57.2 percent to 32.6 percent between 2004-05 and 2011-12. Poverty declined among SCs and STs by 26.51 and 20.88 percentage points (Odisha Economic Survey, 2017-18). The State has also taken several public fiscal management reform measures for more effective and efficient management of public finances. However, though the overall rate of poverty has decreased, it is still very high in districts in the south and west, which are among the poorest in the state and are the home to 14 million poor. The state also needs to improve accountability and efficiency in public service delivery, State level regulatory capacity for economic and social activities, and strengthening grassroots democracy (OES, 2017-18).

While poverty has gradually reduced in recent decades, populations continue to remain vulnerable to falling back into poverty and are affected by emerging sources of vulnerability such as climatic risks, violence and extremism, new diseases and evolving health risks, challenges from urbanization and changing environment, etc. There is increasing recognition that chronic poverty results from the cumulative impact of discrimination, risk, vulnerability and exclusion across an individual’s life-cycle and across generations. As a result, there is a need to understand the changing landscape of vulnerabilities different population sub-groups to effectively and adequately address the diverse set of risks and vulnerabilities.

The impacts of poverty on children are devastating, and yet they are twice as likely to live in poverty as adults. Through Goal 1 of the SDGs, UN Member States have for the first time committed to ending extreme child poverty and halving the poverty of children according to national definitions by 2030. Children in Odisha face multiple challenges. For example, prevalence of severe malnutrition among children and mothers is a matter of concern in the State. 51 percent women suffer from anaemia while 47 percent children remain anaemic and suffer from chronic energy deficiency. Further 34.1% of children below 5 years of age are stunted (height-for-age) and 34.4% are underweight (NFHS 4). The state also has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates. Sanitation is by far the most challenging agenda in Odisha, which has one of the highest prevalence of open defecation.  Since 2014, Odisha has positively responded to SBM(G), resulting in a remarkable increase in toilet coverage.  The current reported rural sanitation coverage stands at 82% (SBM-G MIS March 2019) but still toilet usage, sustained change in behaviour, sustainability of existing facilities and upgrades require huge investment. The reach of piped water supply to habitations in rural areas is also below 50%. Over 3000 habitations are affected with water quality problem such as fluoride, chloride and iron etc.  Water quality surveillance, O&M and water safety and security planning etc. requires further focus.

A brief analysis of Government schemes in Odisha reflects that the state is addressing a wide range of these vulnerabilities with evolving and corresponding social protection schemes aimed at specific age-groups, geography and other population sub-groups such as SCs and STs, persons with disabilities, widowed, older population, people with chronic illness, people involved in specific lowly paid professions, marginal farmers, etc. However, it is also inferred that different households are affected differently over different periods from various shocks and certain groups continue to remain unprotected.

Hence, there is a need to understand the nature of vulnerabilities and review the current social protection programmes in the state to assess how these respond to the wide range of multi-dimensional deprivations and risks that affect the children of Odisha. UNICEF India has commissioned a study, led by the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI), to present an evidence-based approach to policy guidance. The study combines qualitative and quantitative research methods, uses primary and secondary data and triangulates findings to conduct a matched gap assessment that provides actionable recommendations for further strengthening the social protection system and aligning it to the needs of the population.

 

Objectives of the Study

 This study is designed to understand the risks and vulnerabilities affecting children in Odisha within the context of the current support mechanisms available to them in the form of social protection responses from the Government of Odisha to mitigate age-specific risks and vulnerabilities. The purpose of the proposed study in Odisha is to understand the risks and vulnerabilities affecting children and analyse the extent to which the social protection system is child-sensitive and whether it addresses the risks and vulnerabilities affecting them today adequately. In addition, the document will endeavour to explore the potential risks related to population dynamics to ensure that children’s rights are safeguarded. This is critical to long-term growth and development of Odisha. As the world ages, India is presented with a unique opportunity to reap demographic dividends from a bulging young population. Odisha’s ability to achieve this will hinge on the labour productivity of today’s children, which is driven by adequate physical, social and cognitive development in the early years. Deprivations in early childhood and in adolescence (nutrition, care, social networks etc.) can significantly affect the ability of the future workforce to bear the burden of an ageing population and deliver its true potential to ensure continued growth and development in Odisha.

Changes in individual influence vulnerability, just as changing levels of risk and vulnerability can mark a shift from one life-cycle to another: “One enters a new life-cycle when the set of risks and certainties that define the level of vulnerability, changes in a positive or negative way.” Assessing the risks affecting children – focusing on the distinct phases of the life of children and life-stage specific vulnerabilities is a useful way of ensuring that the study appropriately and holistically reviews all risks that might affect children from birth up to the age of 18. In addition, it is important to consider how social and cultural factors such as ethnicity, gender, disability and religion intersect with chronological age and life-stages.

However, only analysing these risks is often insufficient as it ignores the efforts already in place to support vulnerable groups. For instance, the data might indicate high enrolment in secondary school, thus rendering it an area of success. However, without analysing the context in which that is achieved – i.e. support such as provision of free education or support for textbooks and uniforms, there is a great risk of overseeing a risk that is masked by support already being provisioned. To prevent inappropriate/inadequate policy guidance, it is thus critical to also review the existing social protection programmes targeted at each life-cycle across a child’s lifecycle and analysing risks and vulnerabilities within the context that they exist in.

 

Methodology

This proposed social protection systems and child vulnerability study in Odisha include three phases of work: (i) a quantitative vulnerability /deprivation analysis that addresses population groups across specific stages of life-cycle; (ii) a stock-take/inventory of the existing social protection programmes and (iii) a matched analysis comparing the vulnerabilities to the existing programmes to produce a robust gap assessment and actionable recommendations for strengthening the SP system.

A participatory vulnerability analysis (PVA) will help validate and update the findings from part one and two to ensure the findings accurately represent the state of vulnerable population groups. PVA is qualitative approach to analysing vulnerability, which involves participation of vulnerable people themselves. The analysis helps to understand vulnerability, its root causes and most vulnerable groups, and provides an opportunity to agree on actions by, with and to people to reduce their vulnerability. Using vulnerability as an indicator, it enables better targeting and/or establishment of programme baselines to increase effectiveness of programme activities. The PVA approach will provide an important dimension by capturing vulnerability as it is understood by those that are vulnerable. For vulnerability addressing policies to work, the voices of poor and marginalised people and their understandings of poverty and vulnerability need to be included. Failure to respect and respond to how poor people experience poverty/vulnerability and what they see as causing it can contribute to poverty and vulnerability reduction interventions missing their targets.

Using similar methods and the same rationale, the second phase will involve a participatory appraisal to help understand the ground realities of a selected sub-set of social protection programmes implemented in the state for children. This approach is implemented along with the PVA but focuses on the impact and perception of selected social protection programmes on the vulnerable groups. The participatory approaches will not involve a representative sample – instead it will rely on purposive sampling to get a wide range of perspectives geographically, ethnicity-wise, age-wise etc. The study will not involve participation from children.[1] Data will be collected from nine districts (selected purposively) and from three study sites within them. There will be an expected total of 81 discussions lasting 2-3 hours each.

 

Report

It is expected that the final report for the study will comprise of three chapters: 1) results from the quantitative deprivation analysis; 2) results from the qualitative PVA; 3) matched analysis and policy recommendations. The analysis and writing for the first chapter are being conducted by NIT in Odisha.

 

2. PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

UNICEF India is seeking to contract a qualified researcher, with expertise in qualitative data analysis and analytical writing, to support the core study team from EPRI with the coding and analysis of transcripts from participatory field research methods, and to write a comprehensive, analytical and high-quality final report to summarize all the findings from the research, both quantitative and qualitative.

 

3.         OBJECTIVE/S

The objectives of this particular assignment are to:

1. Support the larger study in accurately and effectively assessing vulnerability of children in Odisha;
2. Produce a high-quality Participatory Vulnerability Analysis for the study, to supplement the findings from the secondary quantitative data analysis;
3. Produce a high-quality report that analyses and summarizes all of the findings of the study as a whole (both quantitative and qualitative)

 

4.         MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

The consultant will be expected to work with the main study team to:

1. Understand the study and the objectives of the participatory assessments
2. Review the findings from the secondary data analysis
3. Develop the analysis framework for the primary data analysis

The consultant will be specifically required to carry out the following tasks:

1. Cleaning and preparing the qualitative data for analysis
2. Accurately coding all the transcripts using NVivo/ or any other software according to the agreed analytical framework
3. Produce a comprehensive set of key findings per the analytical framework and any additional dimensions that appear important during the analysis
4. Write a high-quality analytical report of the findings from the full study: this will involve writing two chapters of the report (Chapter 2 – qualitative findings; Chapter 3 – policy recommendations), as well as editing, where required, Chapter 1 to integrate into a clear and well-structured full report.

Note that the consultant will be provided with translated transcripts in English. The first chapter of the report, on the quantitative deprivation analysis, will be shared with the consultant before commencing the report writing.

The consultant will be required to submit the coded files of the qualitative data for review before writing the full report. The report is estimated approximately 60 pages (high quality English) including key quotations.

 

5.         DELIVERABLES AND DEADLINES

The fieldwork is expected to start from mid-October until mid-November and therefore all the transcripts will be provided by 15^th of November 2019.

1. Duration of the contract will be for three months from start date of the contract (mid November 2019 to mid Feb 2020).

The dates below are tentative and will be revised as per the actual contract start date.

1. Final data analysis framework – 15^th of November 2019
2. Cleaned dataset (transcripts) – 1^st December 2019
3. Accurately coded qualitative dataset/transcripts, with codebook – 30^th December 2019
4. Final Study Report (60 pages max) – 30^th of January 2020

 

6.         DUTY STATION

This consultancy will be home-based with interaction with contract supervisors over skype as and when required.

 

7.         SUPERVISOR

The consultant will work closely with the main study team from EPRI, who have been commissioned by UNICEF India to carry out the study. The consultant will be jointly managed by the Social Policy Specialist, SPME, and the Research & Evaluation Specialist, who are the managers for the overall study.

 

8.         OFFICIAL TRAVEL INVOLVED (ITINERARY AND DURATION)

One trip to Odisha will be expected during the duration of the consultancy.

 

9.         ESTIMATED DURATION OF CONTRACT (PART TIME / FULL TIME)

Three months – part time (November 2019 to February 2020)

It is expected that this consultancy will take approximately 40 days of work over the three months.

 

10.       QUALIFICATIONS / SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE/ COMPETENCIES (CORE/TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL) / LANGUAGE SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE ASSIGNMENT

The qualified consultant for this assignment will meet the following criteria:

• Master’s degree in a related field (health, psychology, sociology, gender, international development, or other social science).
• At least five years’ experience with qualitative research design, implementation, analysis and reporting.
• Experience in large scale qualitative surveys and data management
• Demonstrated experience conducting research on and reporting on sensitive topic areas related to health, such as sexual health, reproductive health, child marriage, violence, etc.
• Demonstrated experience with qualitative data analysis software - NVivo
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality analysis of qualitative data
• Demonstrated ability to interpret quantitative findings/statistics/tables; experience conducting statistical analysis of secondary datasets is a strong advantage
• Demonstrated experience in analytical writing, specifically analysis, interpretation and writing of combined quantitative and qualitative data
• Experience with research and writing on poverty, vulnerabilities and social protection of children in India is a strong advantage
• Fluency in English

 

11.   TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA (WITH WEIGHTS FOR EACH CRITERIA)

 

CATEGORY	MAX. POINTS
QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE CONSULTANT Detailed CV of the consultant reflecting the required criteria (15) Summaries of examples of similar data analysis work conducted with the past two (2) years, with sufficient descriptions of the past efforts, covering the scale of data collection, the methods used, data management approach, quality control systems, etc. (15)	30
TECHNICAL QUALITY OF PROPOSAL Demonstrate understanding of each of the tasks and deliverables and what is required (5) Provide information on risks and mitigation strategies, especially timeline and budget challenges and how these have been dealt with these in the past (5)	10
WRITING AND ANALYSIS SAMPLE Quality of 2 example reports that have utilized both quantitative and qualitative data analysis to synthesize findings and draw conclusions	30
TOTAL MARKS FOR TECHNICAL COMPONENT	70
Candidates who score overall 56 marks and above will be considered technically responsive and their financials will be opened.
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL	30
	100

 

12.       PAYMENT SCHEDULE

100% following satisfactory completion of assignment and submission of all of the deliverables.

 

13.        PERFORMANCE REVIEWS:

A performance review will be conducted at the completion of the consultancy.

 

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain 5 separate attachments:

As part of the selection process, interested individuals are required to submit the following documents online, please upload under relevant section in your online application form:

1. A detailed CV
2. A cover letter sharing summaries of examples of similar work conducted in the past 2 years
3. 2 example reports that are similar to the scope of this ToR. (To be uploaded under Work Sample. The reports can be uploaded using Google drive or Drop box. However, please note that the system accepts only one document upload. Hence, you should copy and paste your reports into one document and then upload that one document or alternatively share links to the reports in one file.)
4. Technical proposal outlining: understanding of the tasks and deliverables, timeline, risks and mitigation strategies (To be uploaded under Transcripts, do not upload your educational certificates just upload the technical proposal)
5. Financial proposal in the attached template. Please fill in the template and then upload online under financial proposal.

 Financial Proposal Template Consultant to support Qualitative Research.docx

The above documents will be assessed using the above mentioned technical evaluation criteria. Hence, it is mandatory to upload all of these documents, without these your application will be considered incomplete.               

 

• Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
• Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
• Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process. 

 

For any clarifications, please contact:

 

UNICEF

Supply & Procurement Section

73, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003

Telephone # +91-11-24606516

Email: indconsultants@unicef.org