Data Collection Manager

Terms of Reference

Impact Measurement Baseline Study – Central African Republic

ForAfrika is the largest African humanitarian and development organisation working to see Africa thrive.
We work with local partners to empower communities in transitioning from crisis to prosperity. By addressing the root causes of challenges, building resilience and fostering self-reliance, we ensure that every African has the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.

1. Background

With the official announcement of the IPC 3- 4 classification in CAR in 2022, affected communities were at a critical state in all areas of emergency response. Safety/insecurity/ Food shortage/lack of shelter/lack of access to health, nutrition services and WASH facilities in addition to the daily insecurity concerns due to armed conflict pushed families and communities into internal displacement and looming disaster as far as well-being was concerned.
Thirteen sub-prefectures were classified as being in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) with the remaining 62 sub-prefectures with approximately 1.8-million people affected. It was projected that between September 2023 to April 2024 (which is the post-harvest season), approximately 2-million people would face high levels of food insecurity (IPC Phases 3 and 4). This includes approximately 378,000 people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and nearly 2 million in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).
Coping mechanisms were stretched to the utmost. Starvation was imminent with vulnerability to malnutrition and disease affecting mostly children, women and elderly and persons with disability. This was compounded by the state of prevailing conflict in the Ouham Prefecture adjacent to the west of Kemo which was the most affected area.
In addition to internal displacement and curtailment of any engagement with source of livelihood activities. The added impact of climate change resulting in flooding in some areas (leading to poor road conditions) and cutting off populations in the remote areas from any services.
The affected populations simply lost hope. It is within this context that ForAfrika’s programming response in CAR is designed and executed.

1.1. ForAfrika’s Programme in CAR

ForAfrika moved fast to develop its first Emergency Response Plan (August 2022- July 2023) based on the IPC classification as highlighted in the foregoing. The Emergency Response Plan was developed with close engagement and consultation with the government at central and decentralized levels and the affected communities in the Sibut Kemo area. The plan provided emergency non-food interventions (shelter/logistical support and WASH services)- savings lives of the affected households in the targeted communities.
Since August 2024 to present, ForAfrika scaled up its programming operations to include early recovery towards stabilizing the affected communities in the Sibut area working with farmers in providing Climate SMART agricultural and extension veterinary services. These include provide climate responsive seeds; farming skills/knowledge/technology and farming implements to the farmers. By the end of 2024, ForAfrika had served and reached 55,166 persons.
ForAfrika is consolidating its programming in CAR to holistic/integrated programming using its Proven Process FSL model as reflected in CAR Strategic Plan (2025-2027). This country Strategic Plan captures reflects increases food security at household level with integrated WASH and nutrition interventions, education and timely referral to health services to government health/social welfare services. ForAfrika’s programme in CAR during the current strategic plan will increase community-based health referral pathway interventions, health and nutrition education to ensure effective behavioural change addressing poor health and nutrition as well as addressing inequalities including marginalization by gender/disability etc. Strengthening community capacities to address many of the preventable illnesses and inequalities as well as effective data collection, analysis and use in programme management are running cross-cutting themes in the programming methodological approach. It is within this context that the impact measurement system-based baseline survey has been designed and will be executed.
The proposed impact baseline study is part of ForAfrika’s comprehensive impact measurement system based on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to assess programme effectiveness and community self-sufficiency. As part of this initiative, ForAfrika requires a baseline study in all its countries of operation and will be carried out in Central African Republic. This is to establish initial measurements of the Sustainable Livelihoods Index (SLI) indicators.

2. Objective

The systematic collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data in order to establish the baseline against which programme results and outcomes will be measured within the framework of Sustainable Livelihoods Index indicators across selected communities in the Central African Republic. The data collection shall follow the quantitative protocol described in the Impact Measurement Guidelines

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for:
Study Preparation

• Review ForAfrika’s data collection tools and protocols
• Develop detailed work plan and timeline
• Obtain necessary permissions and authorizations from local authorities – facilitated by ForAfrika team.

Field Team Management

• Recruit and manage qualified enumerators and field monitors
• Organize and conduct 2-day training sessions for each enumerator team
• Ensure proper understanding of survey tools and data collection protocols
• Manage field logistics and team deployment

Data Collection

• Coordinate data collection across 400 households in centre villes of:
  • Dekoa
  • Sibut
  • Kagabandoro
• Ensure adherence to sampling methodology
• Provide quality control and daily supervision of data collection
• Manage and troubleshoot field challenges

Equipment and Logistics

• Rent necessary mobile devices for data collection – in case enumerators do not own smartphones.
• Arrange transportation and accommodation for field teams
• Ensure proper connectivity and data backup systems
• Manage all field operation logistics

Quality Assurance

• Implement quality control measures throughout data collection
• Conduct regular data quality checks
• Provide daily progress reports during fieldwork
• Ensure data security and confidentiality

4. Deliverables

Inception Report including:

• Detailed work plan
• Team composition
• Training plan
• Field logistics plan
• Quality assurance protocols

Field Implementation

• Training completion report
• Daily progress reports
• Field work completion report
• Clean raw data files

5. Timeline

The assignment is expected to be completed within 15 working days. The proposal should indicate a tentative timeline, considering the expected deliverables.

6. Required Qualifications

For Consultant

• Advanced degree in statistics, social sciences, or related field
• Minimum 5 years experience in conducting large-scale surveys
• Proven experience managing field teams in CAR
• Strong knowledge of quantitative research methodologies
• Experience with mobile data collection
• Excellent project management skills
• Proficiency in English, French and Sango
• Understanding of development context in CAR

For Enumerators

• Minimum completed secondary education
• Previous experience in data collection using mobile devices
• Fluency in French and Sango
• Strong communication skills
• Knowledge of local context and customs
• Experience with household surveys
• Residence in or familiarity with target areas
• Physical ability to walk moderate distances

7. Application Requirements

Interested consultants should submit:

• Technical proposal including:
  • Understanding of the assignment
  • Detailed work plan
  • Team composition and CVs
  • Quality assurance approach
• Financial proposal including:
  • Consultant fees
  • Field team costs
  • Equipment and logistics costs
  • Travel and accommodation
  • Other operational costs
• Supporting documents:
  • Company profile (if applicable)
  • References from similar assignments
  • Sample of previous relevant work

8. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Team qualification and experience (40%)
• Financial proposal (50%)
• Local knowledge and experience (10%)

Notes
ForAfrika will provide the survey tool and sampling methodology. All data collected remains the property of ForAfrika. The consultant will sign confidentiality and data protection agreements