Senior Consultant and Junior Researcher – Mogadishu, Somalia

School of Public Health and Research

Vacancy: Senior Consultant and Junior Researcher

Type of Contract: Short term contract

Deadline:  August 30, 2020.

 

Terms of Reference

Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) study on Mutual Accountability Mechanisms (MAM) in the WASH sector

 

Background and rationale

The Mutual Accountability Mechanism is central to SWA’s Framework and work and is particularly relevant in expanding the in-country engagement as part of SWA’s 2020 – 2030 strategy.

Members of the Research and Learning Constituency have developed a proposal for a two-year action research project on in-country mutual accountability, seeking to explore how the Mutual Accountability Mechanism has been implemented in a representative set of 4-6 SWA countries. This proposal is currently seeking funding support.

In the meantime, there is an immediate need for this research, as well practical feasibility of it, particularly in the time of COVID-19. As we see different government responses, accountability remains a key consideration in the effectiveness of the response. Moreover, immediate work will contribute as a foundation to a detailed proposal for the longer action research project.

In working towards the longer-term research, a group was formed within the SWA’s Research and Learning constituency including the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology in Sydney (ISF-UTS), IRC, SEI, Fundacion Avina and Saci Waters. A proposal for a 8 month preliminary study was developed by the group, under ISF-UTS’s leadership and in close coordination with the SWA secretariat.

 

The study comprises desk-based study of accountability in multi-stakeholder partnerships (within and beyond the water and sanitation sector), and initial research into six country contexts: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Indonesia, Peru and Somalia.

The R&L partners agreed that the study would be jointly managed by ISF-UTS and IRC WASH, each responsible for a specific group of study activities and under a separate contract with the SWA secretariat (through UNICEF, New York).  IRC will be responsible for sub-contracting the partaking R&L partners, including the Somali National University for the country study in Somalia.

 

 Objectives, expected results and main group of study activities

• The proposed research aims to examine the MAM and provide evidence, insight and ideas to progress its implementation.
• The findings aim to inform sector processes, leading to better understanding of mutual accountability in the WASH sector in the participating countries.
• Through collaborative work, the research aims to build mutual learning between in-country institutions and those based in the global north, and links for future collaborations with the SWA constituency as well as intra-constituency collaboration among the R&L constituency partners.

3. Mutual accountability in WASH in countries at national level.

This activity will explore the accountability arrangements in WASH in the selected research countries. The approach to this will be a co-design of the study methodology and process.

 

This will be followed by detailed research on mutual accountability in times of COVID-19 that will address the following key elements

• (i) What are the existing mechanisms that are relevant for (mutual) accountability in the WASH sector?
• (ii) How are those mechanisms relevant and impacted during the during the COVID-19 crisis ?
• (iii) What would be this accountability in the longer term, once countries enter the recovery phase?
• (iv) what is the added value of the SWA MAM in strengthening mutual accountability in the WASH sector

4. Method: Desk work including consultation/co-creation meetings for development of the methodological framework including standardised formats and guidelines for implementation of the study in the selected countries. A briefing for in-country researchers will be organised on the data collection process and the use of the various methods and tools for documentation and assessment of the in-country study results. Deskwork will also involve a cross country assessment of the study results by the team.

 

The in-country research will include a stakeholder mapping, identification and review of relevant country documents, implementation of a survey and bi-lateral interviews with selected resource persons. Validation and reflection on the pre-liminary study results will be conducted through a virtual meeting with participation of representative of various sector stakeholders. The in-country study activities will not imply any travel; development of all the study activities will be home or office based.

• Establishment of a study-team that will include a senior level researcher with experience and knowledge of the WASH sector in Somalia. Working in partnership with IRC and develop a joint workplan for implementation of the study activities in Somalia Coordination of timely implementation of the study activities in Somalia and provide leadership to the appointed study team (Documentation of the country study results, and its dissemination in Somalia
• Contribute to assessment and lesson learning on the study main findings of the 6 country studies Keep IRC informed on progress in implementation of the study and on any unforeseen circumstance that may risk the quality and timely implementation of the study in Somalia
• Act as liaison between the global lead organization on the study (IRC and IFS-UTS) and the national research team in Somalia.

5. The activities to be developed by the Senior and junior research are:

• Participate in the introductory MAM study Working Group meeting
• Participate in the briefing meeting on the method and tools for the country studies
• Establish a joint work plan with IRC for implementation of the study in Somalia, including a detailed planning and division of labor with IRC in the implementation of the country study
• Coordinate implementation of the joint work plan that will include the following study activities:
  • Implementation of a WASH stakeholder mapping (format and instructions will be provided)
  • Invitation to sector stakeholders for participation in a Survey and follow-up on its completion by the sector stakeholders (Survey will be provided and will be standardized for all 6 countries partaking in the study).
  • Identification and review of documents relevant to the study topic.
  • Conducting semi-structured interviews with selected stakeholders and resource persons ( max 10 interviews)- documentation/note taking on the results of the interviews.
  • Documentation of the preliminary findings of the study in Somalia
  • Organisation of an (on-line) workshop with selected sector stakeholders for validation of the study results, reflection, lesson learning and recommendations for strengthening mutual accountability in the WASH sector in Somalia
  • Documentation of the results of the study – elaboration of a country brief following a standardized format.
• Participate in the MAM Study WG meeting for sharing and learning of country experiences ( scheduled for half-way implementation of the country study)
• Participate in a final global workshop for reflection the preliminary findings of the study, lesson learning and development of plan for dissemination of the results.

6. Outputs

The Somali National University School of Public Health will be responsible for the following outputs:

• A jointly agreed workplan with IRC for implementation of the study in Somalia
• Completion of minimum of 20- 30 surveys in Somalia
• The stakeholder mapping
• A minimum of 7- 10 semi-structured interviews conducted and documented
• A national workshop implemented with participation of minim 15-20 stakeholders and a workshop report
• A country brief that documents the main study findings in Somalia including recommendations for strengthening mutual accountability in the national WASH sector (using the provided standardised format)

7. Qualification of the Senior consultant and the Junior Researcher

Senior Consultant:         MS or higher education and extremely experienced in situations like this

Familiar with this environment and carried out similar projects here

During the past few years

Have at least 15-20 years experience in WASH

Have solid experience in qualitative and quantitative Research

Knowledgeable to WASH

Flexible to fit this schedule

Helpful in choosing the necessary stakeholders

and good in writing reports

Junior Researcher          BS or higher education and experienced in situations like this

Familiar with this environment and carried out similar projects here

During the past few years

Lived in Mogadishu for at least 10 years and the last 5 years

Knowledgeable to WASH

Flexible to fit this schedule

Knows many stakeholder and helpful in their selection

Good Computer skills

8. Send your application through sphr@snu.edu.so

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.