TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR): Consultancy Service for Data Collection: Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Project Evaluation

Role title:                             Primary Data Collection Consultant

Reports to:                           Regional MERL Coordinator

Works closely with:             Country Project Lead, MERL Manager, and  Project Delivery Lead

1. Background and Context

Since April 2022, Farm Radio International (FRI) has been implementing a 5-year, multi-country project on gender-inclusive Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate change adaptation, with financing from Global Affairs Canada. The project uses FRI’s interactive local radio programming to improve inclusive and gender-responsive, climate-resilient communities in sub-Saharan Africa by 1) enhancing rural community action on climate change adaptation and biodiversity through locally relevant, gender-inclusive nature-based solutions (Intermediate Outcome 1), and 2) increasing responsiveness by local, national, and international decision-makers to the expressed needs, wisdom, and experiences of rural communities, particularly women and youth, in adapting to climate change using inclusive and gender-responsive NbS (Intermediate Outcome 2).

FRI intends to conduct a final evaluation of the project to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practices; community-level initiatives; the broader social and ecological environment; and contributions to policies and programs on climate change adaptation. The evaluation will enable measurement of the project’s effectiveness against Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) indicators, the production of scientific publications, and other interests. FRI requires an independent, qualified consultant to lead primary field data collection for Intermediate Outcome 1 and part of Outcome 2 in three regions in Ethiopia.

2. Purpose and Objectives of the Assignment

The primary purpose of this assignment is to execute field-level quantitative and qualitative data collection across selected study communities in the three project regions.

Specific Objectives:

• Execute a quantitative household survey in the selected communities
• Conduct a community assessment using quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Conduct in-depth interviews (IDIs) with key stakeholders.

3. Scope of Work and Data Collection Components

The consultant will be responsible for data collection across the following designated components:

4. Key Deliverables and Responsibilities

Consultant Deliverables:

• Inception report and data collection plan: Detailed field deployment schedule, sampling strategy/methodology alignment, data quality assurance protocols, and enumerators training plan.
• Field data collection execution: Successful administration of 550 household surveys, 60 community-level quantitative interviews, 12 FGDs, and 7 IDIs.
• Raw and cleaned data files: Digitized quantitative data (fully cleaned) and transcribed/translated qualitative audio recordings/notes for assigned components.
• Qualitative analysis and report: Synthesis report covering analysis and findings specifically for the assigned qualitative components (components 3 & 4, i.e., FGDs and IDIs).
• Detailed field report of data collection processes

FRI Responsibilities:

• Conduct an orientation session with the consultant/team to review the methodology, data collection process, and qualitative analysis and reporting requirements.
• Provision of standard data collection tools and survey instruments using FRI’s KoboToolbox platform.
• Methodology, tools, and survey instruments review with the consultant/team
• Coordination with consultants and relevant partners for community access and interview scheduling.
• Quantitative data analysis and reporting for components 1 and 2.

5. Consultant Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Evaluation, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Development Studies, or related fields.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience managing large-scale quantitative and qualitative data collection in rural contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in analyzing qualitative data and producing good evaluation reports.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating agricultural extension, climate change adaptation, or Nature-based Solutions (NbS) programs.
• Proven experience utilizing mobile data collection tools, particularly KoboToolbox.
• Local language capabilities and field deployment capacity across targeted ecological zones.
• Knowledge of gender equality and inclusion,