Job Description

Terms of Reference

Survey Firm to Conduct Baseline Survey on “Improving Targeting of Youth Economic Empowerment Programs in Ethiopia”

Objective

The CGIAR centers based in Ethiopia (IFPRI, CIAT and CIMMYT) plan to conduct an experiment to improve the effectiveness of targeting youth empowerment programs. For this purpose, we aim to hire experienced and qualified survey firms to conduct data-driven, peer-based and community-based identification of talented and successful youth for potential interventions. The experiment involves distribution of small seed capital through these alternative targeting approaches. The survey builds on a sample of youth who are part of the Foundations Alliance for Africa (SAfA) project in the Oromia region. The SAfA project aims to enhance the livelihood prospects of young people in Ethiopia through an integrated and multi-sectoral approach. The project comprises three main components: (i) training in agronomy, livestock husbandry, and business and entrepreneurial skills; (ii) training in logistics, transportation, and supply chain management; and (iii) training on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). While the project has achieved several key targets, it has yet to deliver transformative impacts in enabling youth to transition into sustainable income-generating activities. One contributing factor may be the use of blanket group targeting. To address this limitation, we designed an experimental study to assess the effectiveness of data-driven targeting—leveraging machine learning–based predictions (analogous to proxy means tests used in social protection programs)—and peer-based targeting within youth groups.

Overall Approach

This survey covers approximately 3,000 youth who are members of 185 Youth Agricultural Innovation Groups (YAIGs) across two woredas (Bedele and Gechi) in Buno Bedele Zone, Oromia Region. These two woredas are namely Bedeke and Gechi. The survey will collect data on youth background characteristics, employment and time use, business knowledge and ownership, life skills, and emotional wellbeing as well other characteristics and attributes of youth. The survey also embeds several experimental tasks and exercises.

For this purpose, the CGIAR centers mentioned above seek to hire a survey firm to conduct this comprehensive face-to-face survey and experiment. The selected survey firm would support these centers by administering the individual youth survey and the transfer to selected youth members. The seed capital transfer (amounting about 20,000 Ethiopian Birr) will be administered to 4 YAIG members from each of the 120 YAIGs (the remaining YAIGs will be control). The transfer should take 1-2 weeks after completion of the survey. The survey firm will be contracted through separate contracts with the centers involved in this project (IFPRI, CIAT and CIMMYT).

We are seeking a qualified survey firm based in Ethiopia to undertake this comprehensive baseline data collection in accordance with the scope of work described below.

Scope of Work

The follow-up survey would cover about 3000 youth who belong to 185 YAIG in two districts (Bedele and Gechi) in Buno Bedele Zone, Oromia Region. Activity includes a youth-level survey and distribution of transfer for the four selected youth from each of the 120 YAIG. The youth-level questionnaire is designed to take approximately 1.5-2 hours on average. The survey is envisaged to take place in April 2026, immediately followed by the distribution of transfer.

The selected firm will be expected to conduct the following tasks:

Responsible for obtaining local administrative approvals for conducting all fieldwork activities (including pre-test, pilot, and main survey).
Translate questions and protocols into local language. All translations will then be checked by our staff.
· Recruit enumerators, supervisors and quality controllers and train them. The training will be scheduled in consultation with CGIAR and CGIAR researchers will attend and guide the training.
Responsible for transporting/lodging enumerators and supervisors and coordinating and managing related logistical operations.
Prepare and deliver copies of all training materials used in preparing for the survey. Other documents developed to manage fieldwork samples may include interviewer assignment sheets and fieldwork achievement sheets.
Implement the distribution of transfer to selected youth
Program the survey in a choice of CAPI system and pre-populate respondents. We prefer using SurveyCTO over other platforms.
Lead pre-testing and piloting the survey. The pilot will be conducted to provide a final check on the questionnaires' design and CAPI programming, as well as the length of the interview.
Deploy CAPI system and tables for collecting and data entry and consistency checks.
Report any issues or questions that arise during the survey to the IFPRI contact person and document them in the fieldwork report.
Conduct callbacks and quality checks.
Submit the raw data (as originally entered in CAPI at the time of the interview), a clean and labeled dataset, and full documentation (including do files) of how the raw data was processed. This will ensure the cleanliness, completeness, and consistency of data collection, coding, and entry, as well as facilitate further tabulations and analysis.
Avail for regular and continuous discussion with IFPRI staff.
Perform any other tasks related to making the survey a success as well as ensuring the quality of data collected from it.

Selection Criteria

The survey firm selection will be based on CGIAR/IFPRI assessment of potential to deliver high quality data at a reasonable cost, as indicated by survey firm elaboration of their data quality procedures, experience, and references.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in conducting large quantitative household and community surveys
Demonstrated experience in effective interaction and coordination with collaborators and project partners.
Experience in youth surveys and associated experiments
Experience agriculture, rural development, nutrition, and/or food security field.
Experience with programing surveys and data entry and CAPI software packages
Demonstrated experience with obtaining appropriate local administrative permits and approvals
Demonstrated local presence and existing networks in the different regions of Ethiopia.
Experience in collecting data in conflict-affected settings.
Experience in running experiments.
Strong project management skills
Familiarity with the previous rounds of data collection for the above sample
Value for money

Time Frame

April 2026 – March 2027

Proposal

With this announcement, interested companies are requested to submit a technical and financial proposal to be considered by IFPRI. The submission should include: