Country: Jordan
Closing date: 25 Dec 2018
Terms of Reference
Study on the I-Deal Life Skills Intervention in Jordan
War Child UK
Principal Investigator
December 2018
PURPOSE OF THIS CONSULTANCY
The purpose of this consultancy is to assist in finalizing the design and oversee all aspects of the implementation of a prospective, rigorous quasi-experimental study of the effectiveness of the I-Deal Life Skills Intervention for vulnerable children in Jordan.
Background
Conflict and conflict-affected contexts pose multiple threats to children’s mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. In addition to exposing children to experiences of violence and loss, organized violence often results in displacement, and disrupts all aspects of children’s daily lives. Children must contend with parents who are highly stressed, with limited access to safe play and educational spaces, and with uncertainty regarding their future. They may also experience a loss of hope and agency, as powerful events outside their control shape their lives in powerful and distressing ways.
War Child UK is an independent and impartial international non-governmental organization investing in a peaceful future for children and young people affected by armed conflict. We strive to empower children and young people while enabling adults to bring about positive lasting change in the lives of conflict affected children and young people through implementing psychosocial support interventions including I-Deal.
objective and method
The main objective of the study is to evaluate a 16-session selective prevention group psychosocial intervention, I-Deal, for vulnerable Jordanian and conflict-affected Syrian refugee children in Jordan, aged 10-14. Specifically, the study aims to assess the impact of the I-Deal intervention on children’s psychosocial adaptation, compared with participation in a minimal treatment condition (a single or few activity session(s)) to control for the possible effect of time.
The study is a quasi-experimental intervention study in Jordanian vulnerable communities and Syrian refugee communities in Jordan. It will be conducted in four community centers in three governorates across Jordan, in Zarqa, and Amman. A total of 8 groups per arm will be conducted, with 25 children per group, leading to a total of 200 per arm and a total sample of 400. The groups will meet twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks. Self-report data will be gathered from all participants, with the full battery administered at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
The intervention will be delivered within the Time To Be a Child Project implemented by War Child in these sites.
scope of work
War Child UK is seeking a Principal Investigator (PI) to lead the study of its I-Deal intervention. The PI will be responsible for the finalization of the design, development of the research instruments, overseeing of research implementation, analysis and dissemination of results for the study. The PI will closely collaborate with the Research Manager in Jordan, the advisory research team in Holland, and the project team.
The assignment includes the following tasks:
1.Develop the Study Design and Methods Further
The Principal Investigator will develop further the methods and design of the study in consultation and collaboration with the research teams in War Child. S/he will propose a preliminary quasi-experimental design for the impact evaluation that is consistent with the aims and objectives of the study mentioned above and detailed further in the draft protocol War Child has developed. S/he will seek stakeholder feedback on the preliminary experimental design and revise design based on feedback.
S/he will develop with the Research Manager a detailed plan outlining identification strategy, data collection, analysis plan, and time frame. This will be integrated into the overall Time To Be Child project implementation plan.
The PI (preferably with a MHPSS programme experience) will also develop a plan and content for the activity days that will be delivered to the control arm.
2.Lead on Instrument Development/Adaptation and Oversee Pretesting
Identify outcomes and other variables that will be measured as part of the study. This will include:
· Reviewing existing psychosocial measures and instruments relevant for I-DEAL’s outcomes and target group
· Adapting them to the country specific context
· Overseeing and participating in questionnaire pretesting
· Review questionnaire with research team
· Finalize questionnaire based on feedback from pilots and team
3.Finalize Research Protocol
The Principal Investigator will collaborate with the research team to identify all requirements for ethical clearance of the study’s activities. In addition, the Principal Investigator will lead development of the adaptation and finalization of the draft protocol developed by War Child, which will include:
· Overview of methodology, data collection and analysis plan
· Overview of measures taken for the protection of human subjects, including informed consent and respondent confidentiality
· Assessment of respondent risks and benefits
4.Review Sampling Plan
The Principal Investigator will review the sample sizes suggested in the draft protocol required to assess program impact, as well as the sampling strategy. This will include:
· The outcome indicator(s) that are used to determine the sample size(s)
· The minimum impacts that the study should be designed to measure
· The number of individuals in each of the control and treatment arms
· Definition of the sample inclusion criteria
· Definition of central or field-based sampling methodology in collaboration with the outreach team
5.Oversee Study’s Preparation and Implementation Activities
The Principal Investigator will oversee all activities related to preparation and implementation of the impact evaluation, including:
· Developing the Field Work Plan with the research team
· Development of training materials
· Research Assistants’ training
· Pilot testing with field team(s)
· Production of progress reports
· Collection and compilation of any required secondary data
The Principal Investigator is responsible for ensuring data quality assurance mechanisms are in place for data collection, entry and management.
6.Validation of Evaluation Design
The Principal Investigator is responsible for initial analysis of the baseline data in order to validate the evaluation design (through baseline difference in means tests) and verify the quality of data produced.
7.Manage Data Documentation and Storage
The Principal Investigator and Research Manager are together responsible for ensuring proper, comprehensive documentation of the study’s activities and ensuring all data and corresponding documentation is stored properly.
8.Data Analysis
The Principal Investigator will be responsible for overseeing the analysis as per the data analysis plan they are responsible for developing.
9.Writing on Research Paper
The Principal Investigator and Research Manager are together responsible for collaborating on the final research paper resulting from this research study.
Estimated Schedule
This consultancy will run from 20 December, 2018 to 30 September, 2019. Study baseline needs to finish by second week of March and the three-months follow up data collection needs to finish by end of August 2019.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ EXPERIENCE
- PhD in relevant field, preferably psychology.
- Minimum 5 years of project impact evaluation experience
- Minimum 5 years experience in designing and implementing quantitative impact evaluations using randomized or otherwise controlled designs
- Relevant experience in measurement of psychosocial wellbeing outcomes through questionnaires
- Relevant experience analyzing quantitative data using statistical analysis software (preferably STATA)
- Excellent Arabic and English communication skills, with focus on research protocols, research papers and descriptive reports for diverse audience
- Ability to facilitate communication between various levels of management and work independently in order to meet deadlines
- Ideally, the PI should have published studies in peer reviewed journals.
- Ideally, experience conducting research through NGO settings, or low resource settings.
Reporting lines
The consultant will report directly to the Research Manager.
Expected Deliverables and Application
All candidates must send a brief workplan outlining the required deliverables (may add to below list), estimated level of effort needed for each of the deliverables, and the date of delivery. WCUK will support with both gaining the IRB approval in Jordan and the instrument testing in the field.
Deliverable
# of work days required
Date of delivery
Support needed from WCUK (if any)
A final workplan outlining the PI’s tasks and timelines including but not limited to:
Study Design and Methods
Plan outlining identification strategy, data collection, and time frame.
Analysis plan
Development/identification of research instruments to be used.
Final research instruments based on feedback from tests/pilots and team
Sampling plan
Adapted and finalized research protocol
Field Work Plan
Research Assistant training materials
Co-facilitation of Research Assistants’ training
Pilot testing with field team(s)
Progress reports
Collection and compilation of any required secondary data
A plan and content for the activity days that will be delivered to the control arm.
Data quality assurance mechanisms are in place for data collection, entry and management.
IRB Approval
Oversight of Baseline
Must finish by 2nd week of March
Baseline data cleaning
Initial analysis of the baseline data in order to validate the evaluation design
Refresher RA training
Oversight of Endline
Must finish by 2nd week of May
Baseline data cleaning
Refresher RA training
Oversight of the 3-months follow-up
Must finish by 2nd week of August
Data cleaning
Oversight of data analysis
Research paper writing
How to apply:
Eligible Consultant(s) should submit their letter of interest and financial proposal via email. Letter of interest should include:
CV or statement of relevant experience, similar assignments executed in the last five years;
Confirmation of availability to carry out the work during the estimated period mentioned above;
Brief workplan outlining the required deliverables as per the table below;
4.Financial proposal.
Application deadline is 25 December 2018 and must be sent to Recruitment.jor@warchild.org.uk quoting the title “**Principal Investigator**” in the subject line.