Research on Women's Livelihood Options Consultant at Search For Common Ground’s International

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

About the Project
The overall objective for “Protection, Empowerment and Resilience Building of Women in North East Nigeria in partnership with UN Women” is "to empower communities and build resilience through promoting socio-economic behavior change to address the root causes of gender-based violence (GBV) and improve access to formal and informal judiciary systems, as well as economic empowerment opportunities for women.

It intends to achieve this by empowering women and build resilience by increasing access to justice for cases of GBV through both informal and formal judicial systems and engage them in livelihood and income generating activities (IGA) to increase their financial independence. It is supported by two objectives:

• Objective 1: Women and girls’ safety increased through community-based actions to mitigate risks prevent and respond to incidents of GBV in Borno and Yobe states
• Objective 2: Targeted women in Borno and Yobe states have improved livelihood and access to income generating activities (IGA).

The project is being implemented with state governments, federal institutions, women groups, and stakeholders in Borno State (Mafa & Jere LGAs) and Yobe State ( Yusufari or Geidam LGAs).

Methodology:

• The research will adopt a mixed approach methodology, comprising of both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• The market analysis will primarily utilize a community based survey however for triangulation and in-depth understanding of the findings of the survey, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews will also be utilized.
• The research will target community residents in the locations where the project is being implemented.

Purpose of Research on Women’s Livelihood Options
The research is aimed at identifying Income Generating Activities (IGA) and livelihood initiatives for women that are need-based and market driven in Borno and Yobe State. Using the Cohort Livelihoods and Risk Analysis (CLARA) tool designed by the Women Refugee Council, the study is expected to include:

• A contextual analysis of Borno and Yobe
• A focus on displaced and recovering communities in these states
• Highlights on local livelihood systems, including a socio-economic analysis of women’s livelihoods and identification of women cooperatives, unions and groups
• Analysis of household economics, and it’s influence on women’s livelihood options
• Documentation of market opportunities available for women in these locations, including a value chain analysis
• Documentation of women’s skills gaps and needs in the areas of entrepreneurship, business planning, financial literacy and micro-enterprise management

Key Activities (will include but are not limited to)

• Designing research protocols, preparing questionnaires and samples analyses data, preparing reports, and presenting findings and recommendations
• Identification and assessments of the local artisans/small businesses in targeted communities, with relevance to women
• Carrying out of industry analysis and global environmental analysis, and analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of these businesses, from a gender perspective
• Evaluation of demographics, prices, distribution channels and marketing outlets
• Forecasting of marketing and sales trends
• Gathering data about consumers, competitors and market conditions

Findings from this research will inform appropriate and economically relevant training and livelihood development opportunities for vulnerable women, including curriculum development, livelihood options and initiatives, as well as identify women cooperatives and groups. Beyond being used to inform programme planning and implementation, the report will be shared widely with project participants and partners, and presented during SFCG Nigeria programs. The report – with sensitive details redacted – will eventually be published on SFCG’s website and shared with other learning networks in order to enhance the broader field of women’s economic empowerment and peace-building in Nigeria and the world.

Deliverables of the Consultant

• An inception report detailing the proposed method, study matrix, data collection tools and work plan. It is to be approved by SFCG before starting data collection.
• Draft report for review by SFCG staff and other stakeholders.
• Final Report (maximum 30 pages, excluding appendices), consisting of, but not limited to: Executive Summary, Methodology, Findings and Analysis, Conclusions, Lessons Learned and Recommendations. The report should be structured according to the evaluation questions.
• A 3-pages summary with key findings and recommendations.
• Appendices, including pictures, data collection tools and list of interviewees.
• A power point presentation of the report.

Requirements
Education:

• Graduate degree in Development/Humanitarian Studies, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Business Administration, or related disciplines

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ work experience in livelihoods and market research in a reputable manufacturing, retail, wholesale company or trade and industry associations, market research firms, advertising agencies, governmental or private nonprofit agencies
• Experience in market research relating to local economies, livelihoods, and indigenous businesses
• Experience with mixed methods

Other Relevant Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of gender sensitivity, consumer behavior, psychology & sociology
• Strong analytical skills, highly numerate with excellent knowledge of statistics and data analysis
• Excellent written communication and report writing skills in English
• Prior work experience in North East Nigeria
• Ability to communicate fluently in Hausa and Kanuri
• Ability to be flexible with time and work schedule
• Membership of related professional bodies such as the Nigeria Market Research Association will be an added advantage

Logistical Support
SFCG will provide the following logistical support to the consultant:

• Transmission of background materials (project proposal, meeting notes, etc.)
• Availability of a meeting room in Maiduguri
• Meeting arrangements with stakeholders and beneficiaries as requested by the consultant
• Support of a SFCG Field Officer for introductions to key stakeholders and equivalent

Timeframe

• The mapping and assessment will take place from 10th to 25th with initial findings in bullet point format due by 30th October and the final deliverables due on the 12th November, 2018.

Budget and Terms of Engagement

• All production costs incurred will be covered from the consultancy fee.
• 5% withholding tax will be deducted at source from the total cost of the consultancy fee for a firm.
• 40% of the consultancy fee will be paid when initial the contract is signed, 30% will be paid upon submission of initial findings and the remaining balance of 30% will be paid on final completion and submission of satisfactorily deliverables.

The title of the application should be: “Research on Women’s Livelihood Options: Protection, Empowerment and Resilience Building of Women in North East Nigeria”, and the application should hold four attachments:

• 1 technical offer detailing the methodology, timeframe and size of the evaluation team proposed (max 4 pages);
• 1 biography of the evaluator/ evaluation team demonstrating relevant experience/ knowledge (max 5 pages);
• 1 financial offer (Excel) detailing the costs of the budget;
• 2 references of organizations who can verify the quality of the consultant’s work.

Please compile your writing sample and resume into one document as the system only has the functionality to upload two documents per application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.