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Announcement

Request for Bids for an Afrobarometer National Partner in Lesotho to Conduct an Afrobarometer Round 10 Survey

23 Feb 2023 Lesotho
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Request for Bids

Afrobarometer is inviting bids from organisations interested in serving as the National Partner (NP) for Lesotho. Under Afrobarometer’s direction, the selected NP will conduct a nationally representative sample survey of the adult population of Lesotho. In addition to conducting the Afrobarometer survey and related results dissemination activities, the successful bidder will act as the representative of Afrobarometer in Lesotho for the duration of the partnership and will be eligible to participate in Afrobarometer meetings, workshops, and other capacity building and management activities.

 

Background

Afrobarometer conducts a comparative series of public attitude surveys covering approximately 38 countries in each two-year “round.” Round 10 surveys will take place during 2023 and 2024. Based on representative national samples, the surveys measure citizen attitudes to democracy and governance, markets and civil society, and a range of related topics. The surveys are repeated on a regular basis to allow comparisons over time and across space.

Afrobarometer, a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network headquartered in Accra, Ghana, is dedicated to three main objectives:

  • to produce scientifically reliable data on public opinion in Africa.
  • to broadly disseminate and apply survey results.
  • to build institutional capacity for survey research in Africa.

Afrobarometer surveys are implemented by a consortium of independent survey research institutions based mainly in Africa, comprising:

  • Core Partners that provide leadership to the Network and technical assistance to NPs on survey management, research design, fundraising, publication, and the dissemination of survey results.
  • National Partners in each participating country that are responsible for survey fieldwork and dissemination of survey results at the country level.
  • Support Units that provide technical and capacity building support to the Network.

The results of Afrobarometer surveys are disseminated widely to inform the public debate about democracy, governance, and other policy and development issues. We seek to reach diverse audiences, including decision makers in and out of government, policy advocates and civic educators, journalists, researchers, funding agencies and investors, as well as average Africans who wish to become better informed.

 

Purpose of this request for bids

Afrobarometer is currently seeking a National Partner in Lesotho to implement the Round 10 survey with sample size n=1200 in the country in 2023/2024. At Afrobarometer’s discretion, after formal evaluation of the National Partner’s performance in this round, and subject to the availability of funds for additional surveys, this partnership may be renewed for up to two additional rounds (Round 11, estimated implementation 2025-2026, and Round 12, estimated implementation 2027- 2028). Successful applicants will enjoy the benefits of partnership with a network that is regarded as a premier provider of public opinion data in Africa. Membership in the Afrobarometer Network offers opportunities for new partnerships with like-minded organisations across the continent, national and international publication of findings and analysis, and training and capacity building opportunities in survey design and implementation, quantitative analysis, communications, and related skills.

All Afrobarometer surveys are implemented strictly according to the protocols outlined in the latest version of the Afrobarometer Survey Manual, which can be found at here. Interested organisations are advised to carefully review the latest (Round 9) Afrobarometer Survey Manual prior to submitting their bids, as it outlines the full scope of our protocols, practices, and expectations of partner organisations. In particular, this includes protocols regarding:

  • sample design
  • questionnaire development and translation
  • fieldworker recruitment
  • fieldworker training and questionnaire pre-testing
  • data collection and fieldwork quality control
  • data cleaning and management
  • analysis and dissemination of results

 

National Partner responsibilities

In close consultation at every stage with the supervising Afrobarometer Core Partner, and in accordance with the Network’s protocols, the successful Afrobarometer National Partner will be expected to conduct a nationally representative survey in Lesotho with sample size of n=1200. This will include performing the following duties:

  • Identify and access census databases required for designing a nationally representative sample, and work in conjunction with the Afrobarometer sampling specialist and national statistics office to draw the sample and to procure maps and other materials necessary for implementation of the survey;
  • Indigenise the generic Afrobarometer questionnaire to suit local settings, work with Afrobarometer surveys and communications teams to develop country- specific questions to be included in the questionnaire, and translate the questionnaire into relevant local language(s) according to Afrobarometer protocols;
  • Solicit a sufficient number of tablets for fieldwork that satisfy the specifications outlined in the Afrobarometer Survey Manual;
  • Recruit fieldworkers with required qualifications and appropriate language and fieldwork skills and train them to collect data from households using tablets;
  • Select and train field supervisors to monitor fieldwork and oversee fieldwork quality control;
  • Pre-test and make agreed modifications to the questionnaire;
  • Develop a survey logistics plan;
  • Manage all aspects of fieldwork in strict accordance with a timetable developed in consultation with Afrobarometer;
  • Ensure quality control of data collection in the field;
  • Prepare reports on sampling and fieldwork methodology;
  • Contribute to the preparation of a Summary of Results in conjunction with Afrobarometer technical advisers;
  • Prepare basic analyses of key findings;
  • Plan and execute, with Network technical support, an effective communications program that includes a stakeholder analysis, public dissemination events, published papers, press releases, and social media support to disseminate survey findings to media, the NGO community, government officials, legislators, the funder and diplomatic community, and other identified stakeholders.

Bids

Bids should include the following:

1. A description of the personnel to be used on the survey. Please list the qualifications and experience of each class of personnel and provide curriculum vitae of the principal investigator and any other senior management personnel, including the person(s) responsible for sampling and data management. Also include the planned number and qualifications of field interviewers and field supervisors.

2. A detailed description of the survey experience (with supporting documentation if possible) of the proposing organisation and lead researchers, especially in conducting surveys involving nationally representative samples.

3. A description of proposed approaches for a) fieldwork training, and b) fieldwork implementation and supervision, including quality control measures to be implemented at each stage.

4. An estimated budget showing costs for each of the following elements:

  • Personnel: name, position, number of days and daily rates (for principal investigator, field supervisors, fieldworkers, drivers, and any other specialists such as translators and sampler).
  • Travel: vehicle rental (cost per day), bus or boat tickets (where applicable), fuel (estimated mileage), lodging (number of days and daily rates), meals/per diem (number of days and rate), insurance (required).
  • Supplies and services: printing, office supplies, field supplies, maps, etc.
  • Other direct costs: training, maps, venue hire, translations, etc.

5. Demonstration of the analytical and writing skills of the researcher(s) who will participate in preparation of survey publications based on survey findings.

6. Demonstration of the organisation’s communications capacity, including its ability to engage with media, the public, and other stakeholders and potential users of the data, and to coordinate and host effective public dissemination events.

7. Demonstration of the organisation’s language capacity, including its ability to speak and write in English.

 

Submission of bids

The deadline for submission of bids is close of business on 10 March 2023. Bids should be delivered in English by e-mail to:

Preston Govindasamy, Afrobarometer Surveys Manager (Southern Africa), Institute for Justice and Reconciliation. Email: preston@afrobarometer.org or Stephen Ndoma, Afrobarometer Assistant Surveys Manager (Southern Africa), Institute for Justice and Reconciliation. E-mail: sndoma@afrobarometer.org

Questions and requests for additional information can also be directed to Preston Govindasamy.