USAID/Nepal GESI and Qualitative Research Specialist

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Practice: Data – MEL

Work type: Consultant

Location: This position is based in Kathmandu and may require travel to NSAF working districts of Nepal. You must be legally authorized to work in Nepal; Bixal does not provide sponsorship.

Background

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Learning for Development Activity is a 5-year award led by Bixal Solutions, Inc. that provides USAID/Nepal with technical and advisory services in planning, designing, conducting, and learning from the monitoring and evaluation of the Mission’s strategies, projects, and activities in an efficient manner. USAID Learning for Development supports USAID/Nepal by providing services including a) learning and knowledge management; b) evaluations, study and other studies; c) performance monitoring technical support; d) capacity building; and e) development outreach and communications support.

What will you do?

 USAID/Learning for Development seeks a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Qualitative Research Specialist (consultant) to support the Final Performance Evaluation of USAID’s Feed the Future Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) to provide actionable insights for the enhancement of future agricultural interventions. By leveraging lessons learned and best practices, the evaluation endeavors to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of agricultural development efforts in Nepal, ultimately contributing to the overarching goal of advancing food security and promoting economic prosperity within the region.

Finding for the evaluation will be used to strengthen current FTF activities, plan for future activities, and provide evidence of good practices to the broader agriculture food security stakeholder network in Nepal.

The GESI and Qualitative Research Specialist will conduct the evaluation as part of a team, including a Team Lead, an Agricultural Market Systems Expert, and an Evaluation Specialist.

 Objectives of the assignment

● Assess the effectiveness of NSAF in increasing the availability and accessibility of quality seeds and fertilizers for local farmers in the Feed the Future (FTF) Zone of Influence (ZOI).

● Evaluate the efforts made by NSAF to strengthen seed and fertilizer distribution mechanisms, including the development and use of hybrid maize and Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) technologies.

● Examine how NSAF adapted its approach based on findings from the mid-term evaluation conducted in 2019.

● Provide evidence-based findings to contribute to ongoing and future activities of USAID/Nepal and share good practices with stakeholders in Nepal.

 Roles and Responsibilities:

 The GESI and Qualitative Research Specialist will be a member of a broader consultancy team and work in close coordination with the other consultants. Their role will be to provide technical inputs by applying a gender and social inclusion lens to the project design, implementation, analysis, and all deliverables. They will contribute to the preparation of the inception and final evaluation report by providing GESI analysis, findings, and recommendations ensuring that the report reflects a GESI-sensitive perspective.

The specific responsibilities of the GESI and Qualitative Research Specialist are as follows:

● Provide expert review of all project materials on GESI.

● Review USAID/Nepal Feed the Future activities’ document and other relevant documents

● Review and provide technical insights in the inception report, focusing on evaluation design, work plan, tools, and methodology through a GESI perspective.

● Ensure the project design and implementation takes into account GESI to ensure equitable representation within the sample.

● Develop data collection protocol in accordance with GESI perspective.

● Conduct FGDs and KIIs with relevant stakeholders, program participants, local government contact points and USAID staff, traveling as needed. 

● Conduct field data collection and observations.

● Support and provide inputs to prepare report and presentation, providing guidance to the team on integrating GESI perspectives effectively into the report.

● Coordinate with the USAID Learning for Development team to ensure high-quality products. 

● Attending regular check-in meetings with the USAID Learning for Development team.

Deliverables:

● Bi-weekly check-in meeting with the Learning for Development team.

● Draft and final inception report including evaluation tools and workplan incorporating Gender perspective.

● Draft initial findings report and presentation slide deck for the Mission.

● Conduct a presentation and workshop with USAID and Learning for Development on initial findings.

● Final Evaluation report and presentation slide deck

Knowledge and Qualifications:

● Master's degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Sociology, or a related field.

● 5+ years of working experience in related field

● In-depth understanding of gender equality, social inclusion issues, and their application in agricultural development projects will be an asset.

● Strong experience applying a GESI lens to agricultural or similar programs.

● Past experience conducting qualitative interviews and conducting research.

 Timeline and Level of effort (LoE)

 ● The assignment will last from approximately June-October 2024, with an estimated total 35 days’ of LoE.