Data collectors and Supervisors for Market Assessment – RISE project

Project/Consultancy Title: Data collectors and Supervisors for Market Assessment – RISE project.

Project Location(s): Dera, Woreda of Amhara Region

Dates: Ten days, between 24-June -03 July 2024.

Application place: B/dar Mercy Corps office, Kebele 14, Ries engineering 2nd floor

Application documents: CV and application letter to be summited for B/dar office.

Application due date: 17 June 2024

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.Now, and for the future.

We help people overcome poverty and conflict. Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives. To grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs. We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions. During our 34 years’ history, our work has improved more than 170 million lives in more than 115 countries around the world.

Water security is one of the four programs in Mercy Corps. We work on the frontlines of securing water supplies and improving the productivity of water in its many uses. We support people in fragile and conflict-affected contexts to adapt water management to challenges and risks, while helping to build water secure communities and economies.

Purpose / Project Description:

Mercy Corps Ethiopia seeks Data collectors and Supervisors for the Hilton-funded Research for Innovative and Sustainable Water in Ethiopia (RISE) project. The project will work to establish and strengthen reliable, affordable, and sustainable water supply services in the targeted woredas (Dera, Farta, and North Mecha) by exploring the potential of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). While PPPs are considered an alternative approach to enhance water service delivery by mitigating capital constraints in resource-limited environments, the Mercy Corps team recognizes that the model must be fit for purpose to ensure successful PPP implementation. Various PPP arrangements, including management contracts, leases, and full concessions, can crowd in additional resources and expertise needed to improve water service quality and delivery. While PPPs can improve water supply services' functionality and sustainability, the PPP model's viability and type must be selected based on key enabling factors and local market characteristics. To better determine those factors and validate the appropriate PPP model, the RISE team will conduct a series of evaluations before establishing any PPP model(s). 

To assess the viability of a PPP model, RISE will employ a systematic approach, beginning with a series of interrelated comprehensive evaluations across three target woredas. These evaluations will be guided by five key categories of enabling factors:

• Infrastructure: Assessing the current condition of water supply infrastructure in the target areas and identifying necessary investments and rehabilitation efforts to enhance functionality and expand coverage.

• Market: Examining the demand for water supply services in the three woredas, including variations across different regions and population segments. Factors influencing water consumption patterns and affordability will also be explored.

• Policy and Regulatory Framework: Analyzing existing policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks related to water supply, PPPs, and rural development at both the national and regional levels. This assessment will determine how these policies either support or hinder the implementation of a PPP model for water supply service delivery.

• Stakeholder Commitment and Capacity: Evaluating the readiness and capacity of local stakeholders, such as government agencies, private sector entities, and community-based organizations, to engage in a PPP model for water supply services. This assessment will also identify potential roles, responsibilities, and levels of commitment among these stakeholders.

• Financial Constraints and Risks: Identifying the financial constraints and risks associated with implementing a PPP model across the three woredas. This evaluation will explore potential revenue streams and funding sources to ensure sustainability, affordability, and future expansion of water supply services.

Currently, RISE is looking for data collectors and supervisors for its market assessment and willingness to pay study in the districts of Dera, Farta, and North Mecha in Amhara region.

Quantitative Data Collectors (30)

• Participate in data collection training to be provided in Bahirdar City for two days.

• Conduct pilot test of the survey tool and provide feedback.

• Collect data from households in rural kebeles of Dera, Farta, and North Mecha districts using smartphone.

• Transfer collected data from smartphone to central server on daily basis.

• Work with survey supervisors to maintain research ethics and high level of data quality.

• Respond to data quality checks and follow up with study participants when needed.

Data Collection Supervisors (6)

• Participate in data collection training to be provided in Bahirdar City for two days.

• Supervise quantitative data collection activities in Dera, Farta, and North Mecha districts.

• Conduct key informant interviews.

• Being with the Project Coordinator, provide technical and logistical support to field data collection.

• Work with data collectors to maintain research ethics and ensure a high level of data quality.

• Conduct field level data quality, and provide feedback, follow up with data collectors.

• Work with local administrations to resolve challenges for data collection activities at field level.

• Ensure the collected data is submitted to the central server on daily basis.

Data Collectors:

• First degree in water supply, hydraulics, economics, statistics, public health, and related fields.
• Must reside in one of Dera, Farta and North Mecha districts.
• Prior data collection experience using ODK, and other online data collection platforms.
• Have smartphone of Android Version 6.0 or more to use it for the data collection.
• Strong ability to work in challenging environment.
• Fluency in Amharic and proficiency in English is required.

Supervisors:

• First degree or higher in water supply, hydraulics, environmental engineering/health, public health, economics, and related fields.
• Must reside in one of Dera, Farta and North Mecha districts.
• Experience working in WASH/water sector.
• Prior data collection supervision experience
• Prior data collection experience using ODK, and other online data collection platforms.
• Have smartphone of Android Version 6.0 or more to use it for the data collection.
• Strong ability to lead a team in a challenging environment.
• A proven proactive approach to work and self-driven leadership.
• Fluency in Amharic and proficiency in English is required.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in

a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

How To Apply

Application place: B/dar Mercy Corps office, Kebele 14, Ries engineering 2nd floor

Application documents: CV and application letter to be summited for B/dar office.

Application due date: 17 June 2024