Data Collectors for mixed-methods research pilot on Mental Health and Sport for Development, Consultant (2), Lesvos, Greece, 5 months, Hybrid- Field/Work from home

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy Monitoring & Evaluation

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child,

UNICEF and the Barça Foundation have agreed to carry out a pilot study, aiming to show what good mental health looks like for refugee adolescents and understand the process through which participation to a sport for development (S4D) programme impacts their mental health. The focus of the study is not only on mental health outcomes but also on the intervening mechanisms and the implementation modalities that bring about positive change.

To meet the objectives of this project, UNICEF is seeking to contract two mixed-methods researchers to undertake data collection and fieldwork in Lesvos, Greece. The consultants will be involved in the preparation, field work, and post-fieldwork activities, contributing to the evidence base on the effects of S4D programmes on children’s mental well-being. UNICEF and partners expect the data collection to directly feed into the analysis of effects, usability and programme improvement in Greece.

The consultants will attend an inception meeting where the sample design will be agreed upon, followed by an online training workshop.

UNICEF will assume responsibility for:

• Providing the research protocols including protection protocol and data collection instruments;

• Developing a detailed fieldwork plan according to the objectives of the study and the final sample selected. This will be risk-informed (including risks and security issues) and delivered at least one week in advance of the planned field work.

• Training the consultants in advance of data collection tailored to the needs of the study

How can you make a difference?

To prepare and undertake quantitative and qualitative data collection with refugee adolescents and relevant stakeholders on the implementation of Barca Foundation’s FutbolNet methodology at the Mavrovouni Temporary Reception Center (TRC) in Lesvos, Greece.

For this task, services of two individual consultants will be contracted for a total of 40 working days (each) over a period of 2.5 months to work with the UNICEF Greece Country Office, and the UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti to aid the preparation and implementation of fieldwork and the management of data.

The contracted consultants will work under the supervision of UNICEF experts and provide a package of support to the research project which includes the following:

1. Attending the training provided by UNICEF researchers. The training is intended to introduce the consultants into the specifics of data collection tailored to this project. It will include modelling instrument administration, and in-depth discussions of ethical considerations and protocols.

2. Preparation work prior to fieldwork. It includes reviewing and providing feedback on data collection instruments that will be provided by UNICEF experts. The following instruments are envisaged for data collection:

• Mental Health tool: this will be a quantitative tool, consisting of close ended questions

• Sport for Development observation tool: this tool will include both close and open-ended questions aiming to capture how an S4D session is rolled out and what children do during each session

• Interview guide for coaches and programme facilitators

• Interview guide for recipients (12–17-year-old adolescents)

• Interview guide for parents / caregivers

• Interview guide for implementing partners

• Others as provided

Pilot instruments. This includes administering the mental health survey to 10 adolescents, observing 5 Sport for Development sessions, and working with the core Innocenti research team to refine/finalize the tools.

4. Undertake quantitative and qualitative data collection, based on the pre-agreed sample and instruments, ensuring timely completion of all surveys, observations, interviews and FGDs, and completion of documentation related to these data. The preliminary sampling envisages the administration of the mental health survey to 150 adolescents and the collection of observational data from 20 Sport for Development sessions. Interviews will be conducted with 15 adolescent programme participants, 15 parents / caregivers; 5 coaches and S4D session facilitators; and 5 implementing partners. A limited number of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with adolescents and parents may also be conducted.

5. Quality assurance, daily submission of surveys conducted and addressing data quality issues identified by the team of researchers and delivery of transcribed and recorded interviews and FGDs. Final data is provided in English.

6. Delivery of one summary report of maximum 20 pages on main findings. This report should be provided in English.

Work Assignment Overview:

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Output

Timeline

Activity #1 and #2: Attending UNICEF training and reviewing instruments

Providing feedback on data collection instruments

3 days; 27 May 2022

Activity # 3: Piloting the tools in the field

Test, revise and finalize instruments

5 days; 3 June 2022

Activity #4: Undertaking quantitative and qualitative data collection

75 short surveys with adolescents, 20 observations; 20 interviews with various stakeholders

20 days; 1 July 2022

Activity #5: Providing quality assurance: submitting surveys conducted, addressing data quality issues identified by the team and delivering transcribed and recorded interviews and FGDs

Surveys (daily); Interview and FGD recordings and transcriptions (English)

7 days; 15 July 2022

Writing a summary report

One summary report (20 pages maximum, English

5 days; 5 August 2022

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, Education, Psychology, Public Policy, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant disciplines with strong research focus;

  • 1-5 years of work experience in research or monitoring and evaluation;

  • Proven experience in undertaking qualitative and quantitative data collection;

  • Strong understanding of various data collection methodologies, including interviews, focus groups, surveys and non-participant observations;

  • Fluency and excellent language skills in English mandatory;

  • Fluency in Greek, Arabic, Farsi or French will be considered an asset;

  • Experience in managing data collection using common data collection packages (e.g. ODK, Kobo, Survey CTO) an asset.

  • Knowledge of the Greece country context (including its refugee and migrant population) and major education issues will be considered an asset;

  • Experience in interview transcription;

  • Experience in research on and with children and familiarity with relevant practical and ethical considerations;

  • Strong verbal communication/ teamwork skills and demonstrated ability to work well as part of a geographically dispersed team.

  • Availability to work on project deliverables for the duration of this project.

F****or every Child, you demonstrate…

• UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Management -Reporting

The said Consultants will be contracted directly by UNICEF and report to the UNICEF Greece Country Office Child Rights Reporting Specialist and the Education Specialist of the UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti. For technical issues related to protocols, instruments, ethics, deliverables, field work, data collection, post-data collection management, the consultants will liaise with both UNICEF Greece and the UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti. All deliverables must be approved by both UNICEF Greece, and the UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti in order to be considered final.

The consultants will be working both in the field and will be home-based.

All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply.

Equipment

IT Equipment may be provided to the consultant, upon availability, to carry out the deliverables. Interested applicants are expected to have already the necessary IT equipment (lap top, mobile phone).

Timeframe and Payment Schedule

Fees:

Candidates are asked to indicate their required all-inclusive fees for the services to be provided. The final rate will be communicated to the candidate upon recommendation by the selection panel.

Payment schedule: Payment will be made on a monthly basis, based on agreed deliverables and a submission of progress reports to UNICEF by the consultant, upon approval by the direct supervisor. Monthly progress reports will be brief, produced in English and summarize key activities, achievements and challenges faced during the reporting period, priorities for the next reporting period, highlighting any support needs from or recommendations for UNICEF.

Deadlines regarding the deliverables are subject to revision depending on the date of recruitment.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are invited to:

a. complete their UNICEF profile

b. attach latest CV and Motivation Letter (http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.htm))

c. Indicate a monthly fee for the aforementioned deliverables (Full time deployment)

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

All regulations for Consultants and Individual Contractors, including General Terms and Conditions, do apply for this contract. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org