Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey Consultancy (KAP Survey).

1. Background

JRS is an International Catholic Organisation, founded in 1980 by the Society of Jesus as a practical and spiritual response to the suffering of displaced refugees. JRS started operating in South Sudan in 1997 in Central and Eastern Equatoria, and after the post-independence war in 2013, shifted its operations to Maban (Upper Nile) and Western Equatoria. JRS mission is to accompany, serve and advocate for the rights of refugees, internally displaced persons and anyone obliged to leave their homes forcefully. JRS’ main focus areas include Education and Livelihoods, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Reconciliation.

In 2020, JRS received funding from BMZ to implement a three years’ project named: Capacity and structure building for sustainable and non-discriminatory child protection to strengthen the resilience of conflict-affected and marginalized children from IDP and host communities in Western Equatoria, South Sudan. The goal of the project is to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable and marginalised children and youth from IDP, returnee and host communities in three districts of Western Equatoria through community-based capacity building of local stakeholder groups and their formal and informal protection and conflict resolution mechanisms. The intervention focuses on four main outcomes: 1) Protected spaces for children and young people have been established through access to quality education and learning spaces and their well-being and life skills have been strengthened through interventions for psychosocial support and peace education; 2) The integration of marginalised groups particularly affected by war and displacement (esp. people with disabilities and elderly people) has been improved through fostering social cohesion at the community level and strengthens their well-being and resilience; 3) The psychosocial well-being of women and girls and the social acceptance of women-specific needs have improved through the creation of protected physical spaces, the provision of gender-specific psychosocial support and the establishment of a reporting system for gender-based violence at school level; and 4) Social cohesion and reconciliation work have been strengthened by interventions for peace education, the integration of former child soldiers and the establishment of communal peace structures, and the capacities to foster peaceful coexistence through conflict resolution at community level have been increased. The project is implemented in three Counties of Western Equatoria namely Yambio, Nzara and Ezo, with a total beneficiaries’ reach of 114,910 individuals.

Objectives of the KAP Survey

• To assess the current community Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) regarding gender equality in education and how it impacts access to education for boys and girls in the target project areas and measure the impact of current education campaign in breaking barriers to equal education and explore suitable strategies for promotion of gender equality in education.
• Assess how the existing community traditions, attitudes and practices exacerbate risks for GBV, SGBV and other protection risks for women, girls and boys in the target project areas and examine the impact of ongoing GBV awareness and risks education in changing community behavior towards GBV/SGBV reduction and develop suitable strategies for GBV/SGBV prevention in schools.
• Assess barriers to integration of returnees and refugees into the host communities and provide evidenced based recommendations to improve integration and social cohesion of people displaced by conflict in the target project areas.

Expected results of the KAP Survey

The KAP Survey will contribute to the realization of the following results:

• Evidenced based strategies for promoting and mainstreaming of gender in education developed based on lessons learned.
• Better analysis and understanding of the link between community traditional practices and social norms and GBV/SGBV and key strategies for GBV/SGBV risks mitigation developed.
• Barriers that affect integration of returnees and refugees clearly identified and practical strategies developed to enhance integration and access to services and rights.
• Lessons learned are clearly documented to inform programme strategy and implementation.

1. Scope of the study

The KAPs Survey will cover three Counties of Western Equatoria State (WES) where the project was geographically implemented, i.e., Yambio, Nzara, and Ezo. Different Payam and Bomas under the sampled counties will be selected for the study based on a clear sampling criteria.

1. Approach and Methodology
2. Participatory method

The assessment methodology proposed by the consultant should include a mix of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The desired methodology is participatory and all the key stakeholders in the program, including target beneficiaries, will be part of the process. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, etc are proposed amongst the methods to be used for the study. The consultant will provide leadership and bear responsibility for the entire process of the survey and develop the required tools for the study. JRS will be responsible for organizing the locations for conducting the Key Informant interviews and Focus Group discussions in the respective Payams of operation.

1. Literature review

The consultant will review documents related to the project and any other secondary data that would inform the planning and analysis of the findings of the study. JRS will supply the necessary project literature to aid this process.

1. Selection and training of enumerators

Enumerators for data collection will be hired by JRS to support the process. However, the consultant will lead the selection and training of the selected enumerators on the study methodologies and tools. S/he will provide close oversight over the entire data collection process to ensure quality data collection, entry and reporting.

1. Responsibilities and tasks

• The consultant undertaking this assignment will be required to perform the following tasks and responsibilities.
• Lead review of project literature and secondary data to inform the design and analysis of survey results.
• Prepare technical design and inception plan for the survey, including financial proposal for the whole assignment.
• Lead in the selection and training of enumerators for the data collection on data collection methodologies and tools.
• Lead and provide management oversight over the entire data collection process.
• Conduct quality checks of survey activities on a routine basis and undertake all necessary actions to avoid critical non-conformities or poor-quality data.
• Responsible for data entry, cleaning, analysis, and production of draft and final study reports to be shared directly with JRS for review.
• Organize physical or virtual presentation of key findings and recommendations to JRS program team for discussion and feedback before producing the final study report.

1. Key deliverables
2. Inception report: The inception report shall provide a detailed description of the methodology used as well as the proposed source of information and data collection procedure. The inception report shall outline the contents of all the deliverables.
3. Draft assessment report: The consultant will develop draft report for review by the JRS project personnel. The report shall be validated by stakeholders in a workshop setting and feedback incorporated into the report.
4. Final KAP Survey report: The consultant shall endeavor to develop the final report and present the output in an electronic format to JRS for final approval and adoption. The final report (Word, Excel files to be put in PDF as well) will be submitted according to the analysis timeline.
5. Timeline for the survey

The proposed duration of the surrey assignment will be 35 days including data collection, data analysis and report writing. The detailed activities time frame for the assignment will be prepared by the consultant based on the timeline below.

Key activities

Timeline

Desk phase – secondary data review, tools development

5 Days

Production of inception report

3 Days

Field phase – Training of enumerators and data collection

7 days

Synthesis phase – Data entry, validation, and analysis

10 days

Reporting – draft and final report

10 days

Total number of days for the assignment

35 Days

1. Monitoring / reporting requirements

The Consultant will work under guidance and advice of the technical Project Director and will equally report to the project director. The consultant shall comply with the system of monitoring, evaluation, and quality control, implemented by JRS, and provide the necessary information, reports and statistics according to a preliminary determined schedule. Reports shall be provided in Word/Excel and PDF (if necessary) format in English.

1. Qualifications, competencies, and experience
2. Qualifications and experience

• Professional Experience of the Consultant.
• Relevance of education – master’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Statistics, or other relevant fields.
• Good knowledge and practical work experience in Education, GBV and Peace Building Programs.
• 5 years’ experience in conducting relevant surveys / assessments in conflict affected regions, including South Sudan. Experience in KAP Survey will be an added advantage.
• Experience in data analysis and reporting.
• Good knowledge of MS Office, especially MS Excel – Pass/Fail.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

1. Key Competencies:

• Professionalism: Demonstrable experience in implementing; strong analytical skills and knowledge of research methodologies and international standards on data collections.
• Planning and management: Ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills.
• Teamwork: Ability to interact and to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and multi-cultural backgrounds; strong interpersonal skills.

Payment Schedule

The consultancy fee will be paid against key deliverables.

Reporting

The Consultant will be reporting to the Project Director – Western Equatoria, on a day-to-day basis.