Individual External Consultant

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Pre-Field Preparation

• Review the AIM Plus Basic Information Sheet, qualitative tools, and sector-specific FGD/KII guides provided by the NO DMEAL team.
  
• Familiarise with approved Global Centre qualitative protocols and WVK-adapted guides, including those for Child Sponsorship, CWBO, WASH, Health, Education (STAR Tangerine/IDELA), and Faith & Development indicators.
  

Key Qualifications and Experience

The Individual Consultant should possess the following minimum qualifications:

Education

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Health, Education, or a related field. A Master's degree is an added advantage.
  

Professional Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in qualitative data collection in development or humanitarian contexts, including facilitating FGDs and KIIs.
  
• Demonstrated experience conducting qualitative research with children and adolescents, including adherence to child safeguarding standards.
  
• Experience in WASH, health, education, or livelihoods programme contexts within Kenya is an added advantage.
  
• Familiarity with World Vision's AIM Plus, sponsorship programming, or OIOS indicator frameworks is an added advantage.
  

The consultant's role in the qualitative phase is to collect, record, and submit raw qualitative data to the WVK NO DMEAL team. Analysis will be conducted by the NO DMEAL team. The following data recording and submission protocols apply:

• All FGDs and KIIs must be audio-recorded with explicit participant consent/assent obtained prior to recording.
  
• The consultant must transcribe all FGDs and KIIs verbatim. Transcription must be completed within 48 hours of each session.
  
• Transcripts must clearly indicate, for each session: the group interviewed (for example, Children FGD Age 7 to 12, Adult FGD Female Caregivers, or KII Health Facility In-charge), the AP name, the date and location, the facilitator and note-taker names, and the number of participants.
  
• Responses must be recorded per question, clearly attributing each response or theme to the correct discussion question. The transcript format must mirror the FGD/KII guide structure, with responses organised question by question.
  
• For structured assessments, the consultant must: (a) administer the STAR Tangerine reading proficiency tool for 50 Grade 3 children per AP, recording all individual responses per question; (b) complete WV-designed Kobo tools for school WASH assessments (20 schools per AP), health facility assessments (all designated facilities), and faith leaders' CWB assessments. Each Kobo submission must identify the school/facility/respondent, AP, date, and assessor. Kobo data must be submitted to the NO DMEAL team in the format agreed at orientation.
  
• Audio files and transcripts must be stored securely and submitted to the NO DMEAL team via WVK-approved secure digital channels. Audio files must be retained and submitted alongside transcripts.
  
• Field notes capturing non-verbal cues, group dynamics, and contextual observations must supplement audio records for each FGD/KII.