Burkina Faso: Local Consultants for a Livelihood Diversification Analysis

Project Description

The Livelihood Diversification Analysis (LDA) is a USAID-funded research study, whose purpose is to better inform the development of future programmatic interventions and strategic efforts to promote livelihood diversification in the Sahel. The LDA has two key functions: 1) to inform ongoing and future iterations of resilience programming in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania, and 2) to contribute more broadly to strategic thinking on holistic programming that addresses the underlying factors of vulnerability to violent extremism in the Sahel. In particular, the LDA will shed light on the most effective development interventions, sociocultural nuances, investment priorities, and strategic approaches necessary to facilitate progress on diversification into less climate-dependent livelihoods in the Sahel. The LDA will draw on desk-based literature review, field-based qualitative research methods, and stakeholder consultations focused on selected representative rural and urban/peri-urban areas across the targeted countries (Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mauritania). The purpose of the assessment is to produce analytical products on economically viable and culturally appropriate livelihoods diversification strategies, and to provide guidance and actionable recommendations which contribute towards informing and strengthening the design of future livelihoods diversification programming and targeted interventions in the region.

For this LDA, NORC is seeking local consultants, with an anticipated 30-40 days LOE, to assist with data collection and analysis.

Desired Qualifications

• A background in social science research methods, such as conducting participant observation, key informant interviews, or facilitating group discussions;
• Demonstrated field-based experience conducting qualitative or quantitative research or data collection in semi-urban and rural areas of the country;
• Fluency in local languages spoken in the respective country;
• Subject-matter background in any of the following: livelihoods, climate-adaptation and/or resilience, small-business enterprise development, countering violent extremism, or youth-focused work.
• Availability to travel within the country for up to 4 weeks during Oct-Nov 2016.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to finalization of qualitative data collection field protocols and site selection;
• Conduct stakeholder consultations, key informant interviews and/or focus groups in selected rural and peri-urban areas of the country.
• Contributions into results synthesis and interpretation.

Interested candidates can submit a CV and cover letter owen-russell[at]norc[dot]org.