Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services, Cairo
Vacancy Announcement: Baseline Assessment
Founded in 1979, StARS is a refugee service provider in central Cairo that works to enhance the quality of life for refugees and vulnerable migrants through five broad program areas: education, psychosocial, legal, community outreach and unaccompanied youth and children support services. We provide high-quality services meeting the unaddressed needs of refugees, and we provide a safe and inclusive space for displaced people to come together as a community. We work for refugees, with refugees, to make rights recognition a reality.
StARS’ Mission: Driven by a commitment to justice and fairness, StARS works as displaced people and for displaced people to respect human dignity and enhance quality of life.
StARS’ Vision: Displaced people lead in the creation and implementation of responses to different forms of migration to establish safe, just, welcoming, and inclusive communities globally.
We serve people from many places, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
To learn more please visit our website: www.stars-egypt.org or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/standrewsrefugeeservices?fref=ts
Overview of the consultancy
The baseline survey will provide a foundation from which to monitor and assess a project’s progress and effectiveness during the course of its implementation. The baseline and tools developed will also be used to conduct a final evaluation at the end of the project. The baseline survey’s recommendations and key findings will enable StARS not only to monitor the progress of the project, but also assess the need for any adjustment to its project activities to ensure effective implementation of the project activities.
The consultant will design a research concept note, a survey protocol, and Monitoring and Evaluation tools. The consultant will conduct the data collection using a variety of Monitoring and Evaluation tools (including focus group discussions, interviews, and surveys). Lastly, the consultant will conduct data consolidation, cleaning, and analysis, and write a report, including recommendations for future activity implementation. The consultant will closely collaborate and maintain routine communications with the project managers.
Position Details
Position title
Baseline Survey Consultant
Compensation
No more than 6,000 USD
Work Location
Ideally, Cairo-based. Hybrid working would be considered.
Length of role
Maximum of three months
Further information
N/A
The Assignment
StARS is looking for a consultant to conduct a baseline survey for a recently started project. The project focuses on increasing the capacity of refugee-led organizations to respond to cases of GBV through professionalizing response and prevention, and improving data collection for advocacy.
The baseline survey aims to determine key baseline values of the proposed activities on the proposal in order to be able to measure progress during the course of the project. The baseline data collection should consist of a variety of data collection methods, which can be used as a data measuring tool throughout the course of this project.
The Baseline Survey Consultants shall deliver:
i. A work plan during the first two weeks
ii. Tool design for new indicators
iii. A baseline assessment report with baselines for specific indicators
iv. A Monitoring and Evaluation plan which will include means for measurement, evaluation, and learning, and recommendations for placing the plan at the centre of StARS decision making.
The Baseline Assessment shall be submitted to the Director of Programs and the Director of the Community Outreach Department for review by the end of the second month and to StARS the following month.
Key activities are likely to include the following:
· Desk review: review of the current tools and to have a clear understanding of the project and the local context.
· Detailed work plan showing key dates and deliverable.
o Must include a data collection schedule
o Must include a data analysis plan
· Design and administer survey with clients and staff
· Focus Group Discussion with staff and possibly other clients
· Key informant interviews (where necessary)
· Regular feedback to the Directors of Programs Department and Community Outreach Department
· Conduct data cleaning and analysis as per the plan specified in the work plan
· Produce preliminary findings
· Submit report
Key Selection Criteria
StARS welcomes and encourages applications from people who have lived experience of forcible displacement, or come from such a community but candidates of all backgrounds will be considered.
Experience
· Previous experience of conducting baseline assessments for humanitarian organizations.
· Experience conducting surveys with multiple stakeholders across contexts .
· Experience in conducting focus group discussions.
· A minimum of three years of experience in Monitoring and Evaluation.
· Experiences in working in or with diverse organizational/leadership structures is preferred.
· Experience in monitoring and/or evaluating projects focusing on GBV response/prevention
· Demonstrable knowledge of the refugee civil society landscape in the Egyptian context and familiarity with the major challenges and opportunities facing NGOs working with refugees in the region.
· Familiarity with the work of StARS
Candidates with the lived experience of displacement are encouraged to apply.
Skills
· Good qualitative data collection skills
· A good command of Arabic is preferred
· Professional narrative writing skills
· Facilitation skills
· Great communication skills
· Ability to work in a diverse work environment
StARS is looking to fill the vacancy with the best possible applicant, even where that applicant may not precisely fulfil all requirements listed in this announcement, or where the applicant may demonstrate similar transferable skills. The role will require good humour, patience, optimism, and consensus building skills, as well as a willingness to learn and grow into the role. StARS is interested in applications from people with a lived experience of forced displacement.
DELIVERABLES
1. It is anticipated that the consultant will conduct the baseline assessment in two months (including desk research)
2. After two weeks, a detailed work plan with appropriate tools to assess the baseline of the indicators, together with a work plan will be produced. This work plan will need to be agreed with the Director of Programs.
3. During the third month, a detailed baseline assessment report, with monitoring and evaluation tools, should be delivered.
Terms Of Consultancy
Start date of the contract: 15 April 2024 (To be determined)
End date of the contract: 14 July 2024 (depending on start date)
There is a possibility of extension of the period if required.
Compensation
Compensation is available in the amount of up to 6,000 USD. Compensation includes all travel and in-country expenses if the consultant is not based in Cairo.
Closing date for applications: 21 March 2024
To apply: Please send your Cover Letter and CV and an initial budget for the consultancy to applications@stars-egypt.org using the subject line “Baseline Assessment”. Please also include a budget for the work, indicating for which parts you would intend to be in Cairo. All applications should provide contact information for two professional/academic reference (referees will only be contacted after interviews).
Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.
How to apply
To apply: Please send your Cover Letter and CV and an initial budget for the consultancy to applications@stars-egypt.org using the subject line “Baseline Assessment”. Please also include a budget for the work, indicating for which parts you would intend to be in Cairo. All applications should provide contact information for two professional/academic reference (referees will only be contacted after interviews).
Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.
