The consultant is expected to produce high quality local language recordings and English translated transcriptions of the FGDs that will be conducted. The FGDs will be facilitated in English and one of three local languages according to provinces (Eastern: Cinyanja, Southern: Chitonga and Western: Silozi).

1. In-person discussions with head teachers, grade teachers, and parents/guardians in sampled schools following the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guidelines that will be provided by the project.
2. Record clear audio verbatim of the discussions.
3. Transcribe line by line the content FGDs held with Head teachers and class teachers.
4. Translate the responses from local language to English and transcribe line by line the content FGDs held with parents/guardians.

Specifically, as part of the short-term consultancy, data collectors will travel to respective sampled schools within the provinces of assignment as per deliverable table to perform the following tasks:

Table 1: Deliverables Schedule

Deliverable and description

Deliverable 1:

Training and Contract Signing

1. Full Participation in orientation sessions and signing of contract.
2. Submission of orientation report.

(Deliverable due date – 4th October 2024)

Deliverable 2:

Data Collection and Transcribing

1. Collect qualitative data from sampled schools in line with the data collection tools and FGD guide.
2. Conduct 1 FGD (in English) per school with head teachers and grade teachers as required and record clear verbatim audio of FGDs using a device capable of recording in transferable and portable format such as MP3, WMA or AAC.
3. Conduct 1 FGD (preferably in the official local language) per school with select parents and/or guardians as required and record clear verbatim audio of FGDs using a device capable of recording in transferable and portable format such as MP3, WMA or AAC.
4. Transcribe the verbatim of the FGD held with Head teachers and class teachers in line with the template that will be provided.
5. Translate to English and transcribe the verbatim of the FGD held with parents and guardians in line with the template that will be provided.

(Deliverable due Date- 15th October 2024)

Logistics:

1. USAID Let’s Read will provide 1 motor vehicle and required fuel in each province of assignment to facilitate movements to and from data collection sites. No additional vehicles will be provided for in the contract.
2. The consulting firm is expected to have the resources such as audio recording devices, laptops and/or computers for the transcription, listening device and appropriate competencies needed to fully execute the scope of this consultancy.
3. The consulting firm is expected to engage no less than 6 data collectors, that is a minimum of 3 teams, each team comprising of not less than 2 experienced data collectors fluent in both spoken and written English and official local languages (Cinyanja, Chitonga, Silozi) for each of the 3 provinces. A minimum of 1 team will be assigned to each province at any given time.
4. Motor vehicle capacity of a maximum of 4 passengers will be strictly adhered to at all times.
5. USAID Let’s Read guidelines for the use of motor vehicles shall apply.

The candidate for the position of Data Collector (Lead Consultant) shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Education, M&E, or related field.
• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field will be an added advantage.

Skills and Experience:  

Requirements for individuals to be engaged as data collectors by the consulting firm:

Skills and Experience – Required:

• At least 3 years’ practical experience in relevant fields such as research, data quality management, and report writing is required for persons proposed as data collectors or research assistants
• At least 5 years’ experience in conducting qualitative research, data quality management, and report writing particularly in education or community mobilization is required for lead consultants and supervisors.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating FGDs, preferably in English and the following local languages: Chitonga, Cinyanja, and Silozi.
• Proficiency in using tablets or computers for data collection.
• Organizational skills and readiness to work in remote locations.
• Three references whom USAID Let’s Read Project may contact. These references should be clients or employers for whom you have provided similar services in the past 3 years.
• Curriculum Vitae

Requirements for Firms:

Documentation and Experience – Required:

• Company profile detailing relevant experience in research and data collection.
• ZRA Tax Clearance & PACRA Returns.
• At least 5 years’ experience in carrying out similar types of assignments (research, data collection).
• Experience working with International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) is a plus.
• Three references whom USAID Let’s Read Project may contact. These references should be clients or organizations for whom you have provided similar services in the past 3 years.
• CVs/Information for the proposed lead consultants/research supervisors who would be leading the assignment, with demonstrated experience in carrying out similar tasks