Background

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in collaboration the African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX) and the Policy Studies Institute (PSI), is implementing a study to examine barriers to evidence-informed policymaking and to evaluate interventions aimed at strengthening the use of research-based evidence in Ethiopia’s policy processes. Despite increasing investments in research production and growing recognition of the importance of evidence-based policymaking in low- and middle-income countries, the actual utilization of evidence in policy decisions remains limited. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, evidence ecosystems continue to face constraints related to limited accessibility of evidence, weak awareness and trust among policymakers, insufficient technical capacity to interpret and apply research findings, and institutional and political economy factors that shape decision-making processes. Ethiopia reflects many of these broader challenges, where investments in research capacity have not consistently translated into systematic use of evidence in policymaking.

To address these challenges, IFPRI is undertaking an evaluation of two complementary interventions designed to strengthen evidence uptake among policymakers. The first intervention focuses on capacity-building and training activities aimed at improving policymakers’ awareness, skills, and confidence in accessing, interpreting, commissioning, and applying research evidence in policy decisions. The second intervention involves an evidence translation and rapid-response intermediation service that will provide policymakers with timely syntheses of relevant research evidence, including AI-assisted summaries tailored to policy needs. The study will assess whether these interventions can increase policymakers’ demand for, trust in, and use of research evidence, while also examining how factors such as accessibility, timeliness, source credibility, institutional arrangements, and policymaker characteristics influence evidence uptake. As part of this research, IFPRI seeks to hire a qualified survey firm to support data collection activities associated with the study.

Scope of work

The study is organized into seven interlinked phases, integrating baseline, midline, and endline data collection with capacity building, evidence translation, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Within this framework, the selected survey firm will be responsible for the following activities:

• Recruit enumerators (May 2026): Quantitative interviewers, supervisors, and quality controllers will be recruited by the selected survey firm to participate in the training. All recruits should have previous survey experience, be university graduates, and preferably have worked previously with the firm on similar surveys.

• Test survey instruments (May–June 2026): Collaborate with IFPRI research leads to refine and pilot the baseline, midline, and endline survey instruments measuring policymakers’ awareness, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and institutional constraints related to evidence use.

• Participate in enumerator training (June 2026): Ensure all enumerators and supervisors attend and complete at least 5 days of in-person, including full questionnaire review, supervised practice using CAPI, and readiness assessment.

• Implement baseline survey (June–July 2026): Lead data collection for the baseline survey of 360 participants identified by IFPRI and its implementing partners. Ensure strict adherence to protocols, training guidance, and use of secure tablet-based CAPI systems (e.g., SurveyCTO). The survey will primarily target policymakers working in Federal Ministries and affiliated agencies/commissions in Addis Ababa. The survey duration will be approximately 90 minutes per respondent.

• Implement midline survey (January 2027): Conduct the midline survey following identical procedures and standards, surveying the same 360 participants using the finalized instrument. The survey duration will be approximately 90 minutes per respondent.

• Implement endline survey (June 2027): Conduct the endline survey following the same procedures and standards as earlier rounds, ensuring consistency and data quality across all waves. The survey duration will be approximately 90 minutes per respondent.

• Quality control mechanisms (June 2026–December 2027): Implement robust quality assurance systems, including active supervision, field–office coordination, and designated quality controllers (including audio auditors). Maintain contingency plans for tablet failure, including paper backups with rapid digital entry. Additional quality control measures may be proposed by the firm.

• Data processing and quality checks (June 2026–June 2027): Agree on data cleaning protocols with IFPRI and fully document all procedures. Submit raw data, cleaned datasets, and full documentation (including do-files) detailing all data processing steps.

• Upload and manage data (June–July 2026; January 2027; June 2027): Ensure daily uploading of survey data to IFPRI-designated platforms during all survey rounds, in line with data management protocols.

• Provide implementation support and documentation (May 2026–December 2027): Respond to IFPRI and partner requests for implementation information to support cleaning, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.

• Ensure data security and participant protection (May 2026–December 2027): Adhere to strict confidentiality and data protection protocols, including encrypted CAPI systems, secure storage, separation of PII from survey data, and compliance with consent procedures and data-sharing agreements.

• Report emerging issues (May 2026–December 2027): Promptly notify IFPRI of ethical concerns, data quality issues, or implementation challenges affecting fieldwork or participant safety.

• Respond to corrective actions (May 2026–December 2027): Implement corrective measures in a timely manner as directed by IFPRI research leads to ensure compliance and data integrity.

• Follow-up and responsiveness (June 2027–December 2027): Remain available after fieldwork for discussions with IFPRI and research team members on preliminary findings and to validate results against field-level observations.

Deliverables:

Required Qualifications of the Survey Firm

• The survey firm must have a minimum of three years of institutional experience designing and implementing large-scale quantitative surveys for research and monitoring and evaluation in Ethiopia.

• Demonstrated organizational experience in managing complex, multi-wave survey operations (baseline, midline, and endline), including panel tracking and high-quality longitudinal data collection.

• Proven firm-level capacity in data management, cleaning, and quality assurance systems for quantitative datasets, including standardized protocols and documentation practices.

• Demonstrated experience in implementing experimental and quasi-experimental research designs with policymakers or public sector decision-makers, including randomized controlled trials, behavioral experiments, or field experiments embedded in policy settings.Proven experience conducting surveys in Ethiopia, with familiarity with the Ethiopian policy and institutional landscape, including engagement with government ministries, agencies, commissions, and development partners.

• Institutional capacity to deploy and manage digital data collection systems (e.g., SurveyCTO or equivalent CAPI platforms) at scale, including secure server management and real-time data monitoring.

• Demonstrated experience in recruiting, training, and supervising large field teams, including enumerators, supervisors, and quality controllers.

• Established firm-level systems for research ethics compliance, including informed consent procedures, confidentiality protections, and data security protocols aligned with international standards.

• Strong organizational systems to ensure coordination of multi-round field operations, including logistics, supervision structures, and real-time problem-solving mechanisms.

• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and strict timelines, delivering high-quality outputs under time constraints.

• Demonstrated capacity for quality assurance systems, including back-checks, spot checks, data validation routines, and corrective action protocols.

• Strong internal management systems ensuring accuracy, consistency, and professionalism in all deliverables, including data, documentation, and reporting outputs

Application Deadline

May 19, 2026