Lead Consultant (Qualitative)

Reports to: MEL Director

Period of work: 60 calendar days

Location: Abuja

Background

• The Lead Consultant will lead the qualitative component of the USAID Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Extension & Advisory Services Activity annual survey for FY24.
• The project works to increase smallholder farmers’ productivity, incomes, and household nutrition status in Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Benue, Ebonyi, Cross-River, and Delta states of Nigeria through strengthening sustainable agricultural extension and advisory services.
• The project particularly focuses on aquaculture, cowpea, maize, rice, and soybean value chains.

Essential Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Extension Activity MEL team in finalizing the survey instrument.
• Prepare a Field Procedure Plan, to include an approach to quality control for all aspects of work.
• Coordinate field implementation of the qualitative data collection.
• Train moderators and transcribers in preparation for the qualitative data collection.
• Develop plan and lead the piloting of annual survey tools.
• Review and provide progress updates on activity.
• Draft final survey report.
• Respond to all comments on draft document and finalize survey report.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education:

• The Lead Consultant will have the following qualifications and experience: A master’s degree in sociology/rural development, agricultural economics, or statistics.

Experience:

• S/he will have at least 10 years’ experience in qualitative research work with experience leading teams in field (training, field logistics, human relations, teamwork).
• Experience in survey planning methodologies, participatory evaluation, community-based approaches, developing and evaluating integrated food security, Agriculture and MSMEs programs.
• Relevant Contextual experience of carrying out related studies in targeted locations and value chains while understanding of local government structure in Nigeria will be an added advantage.
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, including ability to effectively communicate across cultures.
• Experience and ability in the provision of technical support in Agricultural, marketing, and economic growth.
• Excellent skills in conducting focus group discussion, key informant interviews, and designing qualitative assessments.
• Excellent understanding of key gender, equity and social inclusion concepts, terminologies in long-term development and empowerment programs.
• Good English language skills are essential