Background
The Changing The Way We Care (CTWWC) consortium, composed of CRS, Maestral and Lumos, are carrying out a research project about the funding of children’s institutions in Kenya. The project is led and implemented by Lumos. This research aims to identify the key actors and networks supporting privately-run as well as statutory children’s institutions in the country and to assess the scale and dynamics of their funding. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the research analyses the various funding streams that currently operate within Kenya, including private, public, NGO, secular and faith-based funders, both domestically and internationally.
Purpose and objectives
The purpose of this research consultancy is to undertake and lead on a discrete research project, which will sit within the broader research as outlined above. The consultancy research project focuses on the funding analysis of the Kenyan institutional childcare system at the national, county and institution level. The Consultant is expected to deliver high-quality research across these three levels:
National and county level: Mixed-methods analysis of financial streams, policies and attitudes towards children’s institutions within Kenyan funding and policy circles, both at the national level and across four different counties. This comprises government ministries and agencies as well as faith-based and secular organisations and networks. This includes data requests, key informant interviews, a two-week ‘deep dive’ with CTWWC staff into Kenyan government entities and critical appraisal of the findings.
Institution level: Primary quantitative data collection by carrying out a survey in a sample of children’s institutions across four different counties.The Consultant is responsible for the progress, timely delivery and quality of the data collection and analysis for this research project. They will manage the entire research process, including the coordination and supervision of a research team, and assure coherence between the different methods. The Consultant will prepare the data collection process, including induction and training. Throughout the research process, they will be closely supported by Lumos and are not expected to build a research design and methodology from scratch. The Consultant will keep the contact person at Lumos continuously up-to-date on the progress, findings and any challenges that may arise.
OutputsThere are two main outputs:
Detailed planning and schedule for a two-week ‘deep dive’ with CTWWC staff into various key stakeholders in national funding and policy circles.
Final report with annexes covering the methodology, findings, analysis, discussion, conclusion and recommendations of the quantitative and qualitative research at the national, county and institution level, including copies and notes of conducted surveys, interviews, meetings and other communications. The report will be written in English. A draft report will be submitted for review and feedback before the report is finalised. The main text of the report shall not exceed 40 pages, not including the annexes and executive summary.See Annexe I for an overview of the preliminary research activities of this consultancy project.
Timeframe and Deadlines
16 August: deadline for proposals
2 September: anticipated start date
2 September – 10 November (10 weeks): consultancy period
September (exact date TBD): ‘deep dive’ with CTWWC staff (output 1)
Late October (exact date TBD): sharing draft report
10 November: deadline for the final report (output 2)
The number of days for the research and exact timing may be negotiated depending on availability. However, we anticipate a total of 70 full-time working days within a 10-week period.
Preliminary breakdown of 70 working days:
Induction, training and preparation for consultancy project: 7 days
National level: 18 days
County level: 12 days
Institution level: 20 days
Data collation, analysis, critical appraisal and quality assurance, with potential follow-up, for all methods: 11 days
Ongoing team coordination and management: 2 days
Indicative staffing:A research team comprised of:
One lead consultant focusing on national-level data collection and overall coordination and management; and
Two field researchers focusing on county- and institution-level data collection (each covering two counties and four children’s institutions).
See Annexe II for the indicative profile of the Lead Consultant, including skills, knowledge and experience.See Annexe III for the indicative profile of the Field Researchers, including skills, knowledge and experience.
ANNEXE I – Preliminary activities
National level:
To engage with key stakeholders in the national funding and policy circles – government ministries and agencies as well as faith-based and secular organisations and networks – by using a variety of tools, including communiqués, formal letters, data requests and scripts with key messages for direct engagement.
To prepare, plan and participate in a two-week ‘deep dive’ with CTWWC staff into various key stakeholders in national funding and policy circles.
To collect quantitative and qualitative data from stakeholders before, during and after the ‘deep dive’ using key informant interviews and data access. Relevant types of data include administrative and raw data, budgets, financial accounts, monitoring of domestic or overseas funding, case files, other documentation, understanding of funding/policy mechanisms, relevant experience or expertise.
To collate, analyse, appraise and assure the quality of the quantitative and qualitative data collected, presenting it in a clear format, in close collaboration with the Lumos contact person at Lumos.
To undertake follow-up engagement where necessary.
County level:
To engage with key stakeholders in four counties, by creating and using a variety of tools, including communiqués, formal letters, data requests and scripts with key messages for direct engagement.
To carry out key informant interviews with children’s officers and local government officials.
To collate, analyse, appraise and assure the quality of the quantitative and qualitative data collected, presenting it in a clear format, in close collaboration with the contact person at Lumos.
To undertake follow-up engagement where necessary.
Institution level:
To mobilise and plan the fieldwork, including initial contact and engagement with children’s institutions.
To conduct the financial survey in two children’s institutions across the four counties (eight children’s institutions in total).
To collate and process the data, presenting it in a clear format, in close collaboration with the contact person at Lumos.
To undertake follow-up engagement where necessary.
ANNEXE II – Indicative profile of Lead Consultant
Skills:
Demonstrable quantitative and qualitative research skills, including secondary data analysis and semi-structured interviews
Ability to lead on different stages of a research project in a short period, including preparation, planning, stakeholder engagement, data collection, collation and analysis
Excellent communication skills, with a good command of spoken and written English, and ability to engage strategically and effectively with a wide variety of contacts and stakeholders
Able to represent Lumos credibly at the highest levels in relationships with external contacts, especially those representing Government ministries or other institutions.
Highly organised, with an aptitude in planning effectively to meet deadlines, and an ability to work on multiple tasks at the same time
Ability to coordinate and oversee a research team, simultaneously working on various research methods across different locations
Knowledge:
Good knowledge of funding streams and financial concepts and terminology
Sound knowledge and understanding of the social sector in Kenya, preferably in relation to child protection
Experience:
Relevant work and research experience
Experience of undertaking primary quantitative and qualitative research in the domains of policy and or funding and of managing research preparation, planning, stakeholder engagement, data collection, collation and analysis
Relevant experience in the social sector in Kenya, preferably in relation to child protection
Experience in managing a small research team
ANNEXE III – Indicative profile of Field Researchers
Skills:
Field research skills, including the ability to conduct a survey
Good communication skills, and the ability to engage effectively and professionally with a wide variety of contacts and stakeholders in county governments and children’s institutions
Highly organised and great attention to detail
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a wider research team
Knowledge:
Good understanding of the workings of children’s institutions in Kenya
Knowledge of funding streams, financial concepts and quantitative methods
Sound understanding of the child protection sector in Kenya
Experience:
Relevant work and research experience
Experience of carrying out field research in challenging environments
Relevant experience in the social sector in Kenya, including child protection
