Social Scientist/Stakeholder Engagement Specialist 91 views0 applications

Social Impact (SI) is a global development management consulting firm. To advance development effectiveness, we provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity-building services. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

USAID T-MELA Description:

On January 19, 2023, USAID/Tanzania awarded International Business Initiatives (IBI) and SI a four-year contract for the Tanzania Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adaptation Activity (USAID T-MELA). This activity is to assist the USAID/Tanzania Mission with strategy- and activity-level performance monitoring, evaluation, and learning. This activity will also provide data gathering and verification, data visualization (including Geographic Information Systems), data quality Studies, impact and performance evaluations, Studies, organizational learning, and collaboration among USAID’s implementing partners and DO teams.

Background:

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, and it is essential for promoting public health and well-being. In some rural Tanzanian communities, access to clean and safe water is available, yet a huge portion of the population does not have access to clean and safe water due various operational challenges such as; unavailability of water quality services in their local areas, lack of treatment/disinfection units and high cost of disinfectant. Furthermore, conducting regular water quality monitoring is an essential component for detecting existing issues and preventing potential problems harmful to human health. While this is crucial, in many water supply schemes no routine water quality monitoring is undertaken.

During the Technical Working Group 02 meeting held on October 11, 2023, participants raised concerns regarding the approaches utilized particularly the associated expenses, by water quality laboratories in determining the suitability of water for drinking purposes. There is suspicion that the approaches used may be a contributing factor to the reluctance to assess water quality, leading to the use of untreated water from various sources. This situation poses a threat to the joint efforts of government and development partners in achieving the objectives outlined in the Water Policy, particularly in providing clean and safe water to the population and ensuring public health.

In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Water, through the Director of Water Quality Services, has reached out to USAID Tanzania, for collaborative efforts on conducting a study on the factors influencing people to use unsafe water, reasons behind the lack of routine water quality monitoring in rural areas and to propose reasonable costs of water quality testing services (laboratory service charges).

Rationale and Statement of Purpose:

The primary purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the factors that contribute to the non-utilization of safe water and the lack of application of routine water quality monitoring in Tanzania’s rural areas.

Study Objectives:

i. To identify socio-cultural, economic, and infrastructural factors that hinder the use of treated/safe water sources.

ii. To assess factors contributing to not conducting routine water quality monitoring in rural water schemes.

iii. To assess the prevalence and geographical distribution of treated water sources within the chosen rural communities.

iv. To propose reasonable costs of water quality testing services (laboratory service charges).

Position Description:

SI is seeking a Social Scientist/Stakeholder Engagement Specialist to support T-MELA with this study. The Social Scientist/Stakeholder Engagement Specialist shall be an English speaker with a deep understanding of practices and behaviors around water use, especially in rural Tanzania. They should be familiar with the water sector development program (WSDP I), WSDP II, and the current WSDP III, which addresses water challenges in rural areas. The specialist will liaise closely with the other Study Team members, governmental bodies, USAID T-MELA staff, USAID Tanzania staff, and other stakeholders to provide technical insights on the socio-cultural, economic, and infrastructural factors that hinder the use of treated/safe water sources during the design and implementation of this study. This is a consulting position with an estimated period of performance of November 2024 – May 2025. The estimated level of effort (LOE) for the Sociologist/Stakeholder Engagement Specialist will be 65 LOEs.

Responsibilities:

The Social Scientist/Stakeholder Engagement Specialist shall have the following responsibilities:

· Assist in designing and conducting qualitative research such as surveys, focus groups, and interviews in selected rural areas to examine socio-cultural barriers to water usage and community engagement.

· Apply qualitative analysis tools, like Dedoose, in conducting data analysis to inform the study questions.

· Facilitate workshops with local government stakeholders to validate research findings and co-develop behaviour change strategies.

· Contribute to the final study report with a focus on strategies for enhancing community engagement.

· Support the Study Team in conducting desk reviews of socio-cultural assessments and community engagement reports from WSDP I and II to identify patterns in water use behaviour.

· Participate in data collection efforts, working closely with Ministry of Water officials to address research and logistical needs.

· Engage in data analysis, iteratively refining findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

· Collaborate with Ministry of Water officials to ensure buy-in and ownership of the study outcomes.

· Assist in the development of the study report alongside team members, incorporating feedback from preliminary findings.

· Lead the study team in preparing and presenting key findings, conclusions, and recommendations to Ministry of Water, USAID, DPG-WASH, and other relevant stakeholders.

· Oversee the study team’s response to feedback from the Ministry of Water, USAID, and USAID T-MELA, ensuring all deliverables meet USAID and SI’s standards.

Deliverables:

With support from USAID/T-MELA and Study Team members, the Team Lead will be expected to take overall responsibility for the production and management of the following:

1. Final Study Design: A detailed, full study design and work plan following an initial consultation with USAID and MoW that will include chosen methodologies and data collection tools.

2. In brief presentation: A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the methodological approach to be used to execute the Study for USAID/T-MELA and MoW prior to the launch of data collection.

3. Findings Conclusions and Recommendations (FCR) Matrix: An internal USAID-T-MELA analysis tool through which data is triangulated and findings, conclusions, and recommendations specific to each study question are produced. Two FCR matrixes are expected, a preliminary document at the conclusion of data collection (prior to the Preliminary Findings PPT), and a final matrix at the end of the data analysis period (before drafting the study report).

4. Preliminary Findings PPT: The team will present the key findings to the wider USAID/Tanzania Mission and MoW and Development Partner Group for Water (DPG) – WASH through a PowerPoint.

5. Draft Study Report: A draft study report with fully developed findings, conclusions, and recommendations, no longer than 30 pages excluding annexes, will be submitted to the T-MELA COP who will submit to the USAID COR for T-MELA activity. The format will include an executive summary, table of contents, methodology, findings, and recommendations. USAID/T-MELA and key local stakeholders will provide comments on the draft report.

6. Final Reports: The team will submit a final report that incorporates responses to USAID’s/partner’s comments and suggestions. The report will be submitted electronically in English. The report will be disseminated within USAID and key stakeholders.

Qualifications and Skills:

The Social Scientist/Stakeholder Engagement Specialist must be have/hold:

· Master’s degree in Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field.

· 10+ years of experience in community-based research and behavior change projects, particularly in WASH sectors.

· Strong qualitative research and data analysis skills.

· Fluency in Swahili and a deep understanding of Tanzanian rural contexts.

· A strong understanding of Tanzania’s National Water Policy, Water Sector Development Strategy and Water Sector Development Program (WSDP III) including the operational challenges of implementing water quality services in rural communities​.

· Skilled in developing study designs and work plans using USAID frameworks, with a track record of leading complex, multi-faceted research projects.

· Capable of conducting KIIs, FGDs and in-depth interviews including piloting, and overseeing national-level stakeholder interviews.

· Proficiency in using data analysis software like Dedoose for qualitative analysis.

· Experience in writing comprehensive study reports, synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations, and presenting results to USAID and Ministry of Water.

· Strong ability to facilitate co-creation workshops with USAID and MoW, as well as validation workshops to ensure alignment on findings and recommendations.

· Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with rural communities and understand socio-cultural factors that influence water usage, particularly in Tanzania​.

· Experience in research, evaluations and studies that involve behavioral change communication strategies in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors.

· Must be proficient in English for effective communication with USAID, international donors, and stakeholders. Excellent oral communication and written skills in English is a required.

Expected timeline: November 2024– May 2025

The closing date for application is October 10, 2024 at 05pm EAT. The selection and interview will be performed on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply, please merge both your CV and a cover letter into two different PDF files and submit it through the online portal.

Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.