Data collection partner (for quant and/or qual) in Ukraine

Extended deadline: 31 December 2024 (previously 15 December)

For a 24-months framework agreement, GTS is looking for research partners capable of collecting data among displaced people, returnees, the general population, and specific vulnerable groups in areas prioritised by the humanitarian response, including but not limited to Kyivska, Sumska, Kharkivska, Luhanska, Donetska, Dnipropetrovska, and Odeska Oblasts.
The selected independent contractors will form a pool of pre-qualified potential research partners for upcoming GTS projects in Ukraine. They will be considered for all future GTS projects in Ukraine during the duration of their agreement, provided their expertise and capabilities align with the project requirements. For each specific project, GTS will request contractors to submit a brief technical and financial proposal.

These proposals will be reviewed by the GTS procurement committee, and the most suitable and cost-effective contractor will be selected for the project.
We seek independent contractors with experience in conducting large-scale surveys, face-to face as well as via phone, among people in humanitarian need and/or employing qualitative methods, such as focus group discussions, community dialogue, and in-depth interviews, including the use of participatory approaches. For more information, see 3. Framework agreement.
In addition to the framework agreement, interested organisations can submit applications for an upcoming quantitative phone survey, which is part of GTS’ new project in Ukraine. The overarching goal of the project is to promote a more accountable and localised approach to humanitarian action that aligns with the expectations of people affected by crises. For this project, GTS will partner with one or two established framework contractors to conduct one round of quantitative data collection and one round of qualitative data collection. For more information, see 4. Upcoming quantitative phone survey.
Interested organisations can submit applications for either the framework agreement alone or for both the framework agreement and GTS upcoming project. It is not possible to apply solely for the upcoming project, as eligibility for this work requires being under a framework agreement with GTS.
Fluency in both written and spoken English, Ukrainian, and Russian is required. Exceptional proficiency in written English is essential.

3. Framework agreement

3.1 Documents to submit for the framework agreement

• Profile of the organisation and an overview of the services offered. This document should explicitly specify whether the application is for joining the framework agreement for qualitative research, or for quantitative research, or for both. The document should be a maximum of 4 pages. For applications for both, the document should be a maximum of 6 pages.
• Overview of previous relevant research activities. Experience in collecting similar data (quantitative research, or qualitative research, including dates, client or source of funding, budget, sample size, target population, methodology, and reference contact).
• CVs of key staff members with proven experience and strong background in qualitative and / or quantitative methodology.
• Experience in sensitive research (e.g. protection, GBV, trauma) – desirable, and have strong internal policies on ethics and safety.
• Other relevant internal policies and documentation on ways of working.
• Detailed description of the organisation’s level of access in the proposed areas of work.

The documents should reflect the applicant’s approach to:

• Testing and piloting data collection tools;
• Sampling approach, including how applicants for quantitative research ensure randomness in sampling;
• Data quality (including how this was done in previous data collections) and how poor-quality data and fraudulent interviewers are identified;
• Ensuring that the data is collected in a responsible manner and that no harm is caused to any person directly or indirectly involved;
• Ensuring interviewers’ safety.

4. Upcoming project: quantitative perception survey [conducted via phone]

The objective of the phone survey is to gain large-scale insights into how communities perceive the factors driving the fulfilment of the revised Core Humanitarian Standard commitments: rights and participation; timely and relevant support; resilience; feedback and complaints; respect; and the responsible use of humanitarian resources. Data collection is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2025.

4.1 Scope of work

The independent contractor selected for this specific project will be expected to:

• Support GTS in the preliminary research and advise during the survey design phase. This involves regular meetings with GTS team, as well as jointly conducting consultations with humanitarian actors to inform the design of the research questions and of the data collection tools.
• Support designing the sampling strategy.
• Organise the training of the enumerators/interviewers, jointly with GTS.
• Test and pilot the data collection tool.
• Conduct cognitive testing of the parts of questionnaire
• Conduct phone surveys, with a sample size of minimum 1,000 aid recipients across Ukraine.
• Conduct daily data quality checks and ensure data quality.
• Translate relevant materials from English to Ukrainian and from Ukrainian to English, including presentation of the research, data collection tools, training material for the enumerators.
• Provide support in analysis work to contextualise and summarise findings.
• Participate in a learning session with GTS team and highlight areas for potential improvement

Demographic specifications of the sample

• All respondents must be aged 18 or over.
• The sample will aim for an equal distribution between the sexes (50% men and 50% women).
• If possible, 15% of respondents will identify themselves as living with a disability.

4.2 Documents to submit for the upcoming project

• Brief methodology (maximum 4 pages).
• Timetable of expected results.
• Detailed budget in euros (EUR).