The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is currently seeking the services of a qualified and experienced local consultancy firm to conduct an experimental quantitative survey in Vihiga County, Kenya. This consultancy falls under the broader Multifunctional Landscape Science Program and is part of a crucial research initiative examining how breadwinner strain—the psychological and emotional pressure of being a primary household provider—affects economic decision-making and communal behavior among rural farmers.
The findings of this research will contribute significantly to understanding the socio-economic and mental health dynamics affecting agricultural communities, particularly in the context of participation in seed banks and economic task selection. IFPRI is offering a unique opportunity for a skilled Kenyan firm with deep-rooted experience in field-based behavioral studies to be part of this essential study.
For detailed information on the scope of work and deliverables, refer to the attached PDF: “Consultancy for Firm to Collect Quantitative Survey in Kenya”.
About the Assignment
The objective of this consultancy is to implement a lab-in-the-field behavioral experiment with approximately 400 farming individuals in Vihiga County, followed by focus group discussions (FGDs) as part of a debriefing and ethical engagement process. The firm will carry out computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) and manage all logistics of field execution. The data collection period is expected to be completed by July 30, 2025, with the overall period of performance running from June to September 2025.
Project Focus
The research is guided by the following key questions:
- Does making breadwinner strain salient reduce willingness to contribute to communal seedbanks?
- Does the breadwinner strain lead to preference for low-effort, low-return tasks?
- Are there gender-based differences in the impact of breadwinner strain?
- Are these effects more pronounced in individuals at risk of poor mental health?
Consultancy Scope and Job Descriptions
The selected firm will be responsible for a comprehensive list of tasks divided across key functional roles. Below is a detailed description of the expected roles and responsibilities:
1. Survey Implementation Lead
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate all survey operations, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
- Liaise closely with IFPRI’s research team to align field activities with study protocols.
- Oversee the development and testing of the CAPI tool.
- Supervise enumerator training and survey pre-testing, incorporating feedback into the final deployment strategy.
- Ensure the completion of data collection by July 30, 2025.
Ideal Profile:
- A senior team member with extensive experience in managing complex, field-based surveys.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Familiarity with behavioral experiments and lab-in-the-field methodologies is a plus.
2. Enumerator Manager
Responsibilities:
- Recruit, train, and supervise a gender-balanced team of enumerators and FGD facilitators.
- Organize and oversee the 3-day enumerator training and 2-day pre-test.
- Implement daily monitoring, trouble-shooting, and logistics management in the field.
- Conduct regular spot- and back-checks for quality control.
- Maintain team morale and adherence to ethical guidelines during fieldwork.
Ideal Profile:
- Proven experience in coordinating field teams of diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to train and mentor enumerators for both quantitative and qualitative data collection.
- Keen attention to detail and quality assurance.
3. Data Systems Coordinator
Responsibilities:
- Lead the development, testing, and deployment of the CAPI system for experimental data collection.
- Ensure real-time data upload to secure servers and assist IFPRI with data queries.
- Share raw datasets in Stata format, complete with variable and value labels.
- Support data cleaning activities, sharing all do-files and audit logs with IFPRI.
- Facilitate communication with IFPRI’s data team for prompt resolution of anomalies.
Ideal Profile:
- Proficiency in Stata and CAPI platforms.
- Strong technical background in data management and cleaning.
- Ability to work with programmers and enumerators to maintain high data integrity.
4. Translation and Ethics Liaison Officer
Responsibilities:
- Translate all research materials (survey instruments, interview guides, FGD protocols) into local languages.
- Obtain local ethics clearance, research permits, and approval to conduct FGDs.
- Ensure all materials adhere to cultural norms and are ethically sound.
- Manage informed consent processes during FGDs and interviews.
- Coordinate communication with local leaders and community gatekeepers.
Ideal Profile:
- Fluency in English and local dialects of Vihiga County.
- Strong understanding of Kenya’s research ethics landscape.
- Experience in culturally sensitive engagement and translation.
5. Focus Group Facilitator Coordinator
Responsibilities:
- Organize and manage gender-balanced FGDs at the conclusion of the experimental survey.
- Recruit FGD participants, ensuring informed consent and safety protocols.
- Facilitate or supervise facilitation of group discussions in local languages.
- Record, transcribe, and translate FGDs into English.
- Deliver anonymized FGD transcripts and contribute to the final debriefing report.
Ideal Profile:
- Skilled facilitator with a background in qualitative research methods.
- Demonstrated ability to foster open and respectful group discussions.
- Experience with thematic analysis and transcription of qualitative data.
Deliverables and Timeline
The consultancy is expected to deliver the following outputs:
- Translated survey and FGD materials.
- Ethics and research approvals.
- Fully functioning CAPI survey platform.
- Trained field team and pre-tested instruments.
- Cleaned experimental survey dataset in Stata format.
- Transcribed and translated FGD reports.
- A final report summarizing implementation, challenges, and data management protocols.
All data collection must be completed by July 30, 2025.
Who Should Apply
This opportunity is open to registered Kenyan firms with demonstrable experience in:
- Large-scale quantitative and qualitative fieldwork.
- Lab-in-the-field behavioral studies.
- Enumerator recruitment, training, and management.
- Ethics application processes and community engagement.
- Data management, statistical software, and CAPI implementation.
Note: Only firms—not individuals—may apply. Applicants must submit a full proposal including cost breakdown, timeline, and staffing strategy. IFPRI will only contact shortlisted firms.
How to Apply
Interested firms must upload a detailed proposal that includes:
- Methodological approach and field plan.
- Human resource structure and roles.
- Budget breakdown (staff time, training, data collection, overheads, etc.).
- CV/resume of project lead(s) highlighting relevant experience.
- Evidence of prior work on similar assignments.
