Since 1963, CRS has been on the front lines in responding to emergencies and promoting health, education, agriculture and urban resilience in Sierra Leone. We are working in all regions of Sierra Leone to reach the poorest and most marginalized communities. Earlier in 2020, CRS was awarded a diplomatic status in Sierra Leone which provides significant benefits and comparative advantage for influence and advocacy.

CRS RESEARCH CONSULTANCY TERMS OF REFERENCE

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below terms of reference, and follow the instructions to submit your expression of interest package.

About Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS Sierra Leone and Program Background

Catholic Relief Service (CRS) started work in Sierra Leone in 1963 supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Sierra Leone has proudly maintained a strong reputation and relationship with partners and the communities we serve, implementing a multi-sector program portfolio. Today, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health, Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience. CRS Sierra Leone has its main office in Freetown and northern region field office in Kabala.

Job Title: National Consultant to Conduct Assessment on Child, Early, and Forced Marriage in Sierra Leone

Country/Location: Sierra Leone with 70% travel to Koinadugu, Falaba and Kenema districts.

Report to: Communications Manager/Gender Focal Point

Department: Programming

Country: Sierra Leone

Job Summary:

Catholic Relief Services Sierra Leone launched its vision 2030 strategy this year which aims to promote health, education, urban resilience, agriculture, and livelihoods in Sierra Leone.  Gender mainstreaming and social inclusion are key aspects of CRS 2030 priorities with the goal to retain boys and girls in schools and support them to reach their full potential. According to the United Nations, Sierra Leone has the 19th highest prevalence rate of child marriage globally, with 39% of girls married before their 18th birthday. The recent COVID-19 outbreak which led to the closure of schools across the world including Sierra Leone, with deepening economic and social stress, coupled with restricted movement and social isolation measures, increasing the risk of gender-based violence and Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) in particular.  Given the potential for – and past experience of – child marriage increasing during times of crisis and school closure, there is a need to assess current patterns, and where possible, to mitigate and engage communities on this form of SGVB in communities where CRS works.  Within this context, CRS is looking for a national consultant to conduct an assessment on child, early, and forced marriage in CRS operational areas to inform its programming.  The consultant will play an essential role working closely with the CP Communications Manager/Gender Focal Point, MEAL Coordinator, and Regional Technical Gender Advisor in conducting a literature review, designing data collection tools, collecting, and analyzing data, writing the report, and engaging stakeholders to collect and validate data on child, early, and forced marriage in Sierra Leone.

The national consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Develop and design data collection tools and questionnaire for the study.
• Proactively engage all relevant line Ministries, Department and Agencies, individuals, and NGO’s.
• Conduct a literature review of available information about legislative and institutional frameworks and policies on early marriage in Sierra Leone, as well as currently available reports and studies, to inform focused data collection tools and research questions.
• Facilitate training for enumerators and provide overall supervision for enumerators.
• Support the development of ethical protocols for the study.
• Lead in conducting Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews with selected respondents in the target districts as per the assessment scope of work.
• Design and establish feedback mechanisms for the assessment.
• Analyze data, develop draft report, and organize validation/integration workshop to validate findings.
• Develop final report on the assessment.
• Ensure that all activities are in line with CRS safeguarding policies and guidance.

Qualification and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Gender Studies, Sociology, Legal Studies, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience with international organization (s) on gender integration, research, or related functions.
• Experience in qualitative data collection with ethical protocols in place, including safeguarding of minors and vulnerable groups.
• Experience conducting similar qualitative research, including organizing interviews and focus group discussions on sensitive topics in rural settings (Please submit similar work if possible)
• Knowledge of child, early, and forced marriages in Sierra Leone.
• Experience coordinating high-level stakeholders’ engagements and participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Practical experience of analytical and presentation skills.
• Proven experience in policy analysis and writing technical reports.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word & PowerPoint).

Personal Skills

• Ability to work in a diverse team.
• Proactive with good communications skills.
• Dedicated, resourceful and results oriented.
• Organized and flexible, ability to respond to changing priorities.
• Willingness to travel to study sites.

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Communications Manager/Gender Focal Point

Internal: Head of Programming, MEAL Coordinator, Regional Technical Gender Advisor, Chief of Party, Zonal Coordinators and Operations Staff.

External:  Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, MBSSE, Ministry of Health, Paramount Chiefs, District Chairpersons, School Administrators, and other stakeholders as per the SOW.

Required Languages – English and Krio are essential languages required to perform this role. Knowledge of other local languages is an asset.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 70% of the time.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff/Interns/Consultants/Volunteers)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each Program Participant to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Disclaimer:  These terms of reference are not an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, duties, and responsibilities associated with this Consultancy.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

To apply for this role, please send up-to-date CV, a supporting letter, two writing samples – of similar research reports if possible, copies of relevant certificates and expected salary to SL.bids@crs.org with subject line APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF NATIONAL CONSULTANT – CHILD, EARLY, AND FORCED MARRIAGE ASSESSMENT. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

“By applying to this consultancy, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its Program Participant to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics”.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO EXPRESS THEIR INTEREST. CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Please submit your application by email only to

SL.bids@crs.org

by Friday, 26^th February 2021.