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Asset Building Group Assessment Consultancy, Maryland, South Sudan and Ethiopia

Asset Building Group Assessment Consultancy (Silver Spring, MD , South Sudan and Ethiopia)

CHF International’s mission is to be a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low- and moderate-income communities around the world, helping them to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions.

CHF International is seeking an experienced consultant to conduct an evaluation of our Asset Building Group methodology in South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Assignment Summary: Since 2004, CHF has been working on an Asset Building Group (ABG) model to mobilize groups of poor, largely female, community members to improve their savings and lending and income-generating activities. The goal of this assessment is to understand, in a more texturized, qualitative context, how those Asset Based Groups are currently functioning in Ethiopia and South Sudan. The information derived from this survey will inform CHF whether the methodology currently being used to implement these Asset Based Groups is sound, to assess and understand changes which could be made and ultimately whether it could become an institutionalized tool. In September of 2011, CHF worked with a consulting firm in Ethiopia and local staff in South Sudan to establish the working context for this assessment by surveying the members of CHF ABG groups, both functioning and disbanded, providing the basic characteristics and locations for ABGs in South Sudan and Ethiopia. The consultant will, in conjunction with CHF staff, analyze the results of the initial data and design a qualitative based assessment to gauge the experiences of groups and evaluate the process of applying the ABG methodology, its appropriateness in each setting and the viability of the ABG model in facilitating cooperative livelihood development.

ABG Functionality and Impact Assessment •Determine the viability of this methodology in aiding recovery of sustainable livelihoods. •Assess impact of ABG membership in terms of savings, access to finance, assets and income; •Determine the presence and significance of other economic or social benefits ; •Gauge activity and self-sustainability of ABGs; •Define a spectrum of impact ranging from “disbanded” to “highly impactful” and the various levels of functionality in between pertaining to ABGs’ effect on households and communities; •Define variables and/or elements of the methodology which contribute to or reduce effectiveness; •Define range of potential short and long term impacts that ABGs can bring about. •Consolidate institutional lessons learned regarding the factors of success and failure for ABG groups, shaping future application of this programmatic approach in a variety of recovery-oriented contexts. (Sudan and Ethiopia)

Deliverables: •Facilitation of data analysis and collaboration with CHF International staff on data collection priorities at CHF International HQ in Washington, DC. •Design of Stage 2 assessment tool and focus group survey.
•Implementation of Stage 2 including the provision any necessary training for local staff in South Sudan and Ethiopia, implementation of survey and focus groups and corollary data collection and data recording; •Analysis of Stage 2 data resulting in an Assessment report of ABGs in South Sudan and Ethiopia; to include a record of every ABG initiated by CHF, including data on group composition, governance activities, participation levels, functional activities, profits, market links, and other features; --Comparative analysis showing how demographics, geography, and other factors that distinguish ABGs impacts their success; --Document key success factors for functioning ABGs, levels of impact, and main reasons for disbandment and reduced impact amongst these groups; --Summary of lessons learned and recommendations for future implementation; •Packaging of data for handover to CHF; •Written narrative of findings and recommendations to strengthen the ABG methodology to acheive the most resilent and sustainable livelihoods. •Presentation and debrief at CHF HQ

Timeframe: The consultant should be available to mobilize during the month of November 2011. The consultant should be available for data analysis and tool design at CHF headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. Subsequently, the consultant should be available to mobilize to both CHF field offices in South Sudan and Ethiopia to further develop the tool, train local staff and consultants and implement the tool. Data analysis, compilation and written assessment to be finalized by mid December, 2011.
 Analysis of Initial Survey Results; Design of Qualitative Survey (Est. 5 days)  Conduct Qualitative Data Collection (Est. 13 days)  Synthesis and Analysis of all data (Est. 10 days)  Finalization of Deliverables and Presentation at CHF HQ (Est. 2 days)

Qualifications: •Significant contextual understanding of the regions, the people, cultures and economic environments in the Horn of Africa, specifically, Ethiopia and South Sudan; •Experience working with international NGOs in Ethiopia and South Sudan, preferably a history of working with CHF International; •Contextual understanding of community development theory and methodologies such as those implemented by CHF International. •At least 10 years experience with field survey design, impact assessment and evaluation, focus group design capturing both quantitative and qualitative dynamics. A PhD in survey design and techniques preferred; •Demonstrated experience as lead researcher, having trained and managed teams of at least 15 enumerators. This project will have limited oversight and require substantial self direction; •Experience with rigorous quantitative and qualitative research methods, tools, techniques and sampling methods; •Excellent knowledge of advanced statistics and research methodology, including skills in sampling techniques and methodologies, professional use of computer software for statistical and other relevant applications (such as SPSS, STATA or SASS); •Ability to summarize quantitative and qualitative data succinctly and comprehensively in final analysis stages; •Understanding of GPS technology to incorporate into a GIS database.

For more information or to apply, please visit our website at http://www.chfinternational.org/jobs