JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

PEACE CORPS - ACCRA

August 16, 2011 Number: Position: Office: Open to: Work hours: Closing Date: PC 11 0014 IMPACT STUDY on Peace Corps - Ghana U. S. Peace Corps All Interested Candidates September 28, 2011 to January 31, 2012 August 31, 2011 5:00pm

CONTRACTOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Peace Corps is a United States federal agency that promotes international peace, friendship and sustainable development by providing trained men and women to serve in local communities. In Ghana, these trained men and women (Peace Corps Volunteers) work in the areas of health, education and natural resource management. The agency is seeking a Contractor to conduct an impact study of the work of the Peace Corps (PC) in Ghana. The study will document the impact of the work of Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) from the perspective of the Ghanaians with whom the Volunteers live and work. The study will assess the impact of the Volunteers activities associated with the Education Project on the two Peace Corps goals listed below: Goal 1: Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women [capacity building] Goal 2: Helping promote a better understanding of Americans The Contractor for the Ghana Impact Study shall have demonstrated social science research experience, research team selection and management skills, and the academic preparation to carry out the project field work in a timely, efficient and quality manner. Specific Qualifications, Scope and Requirements: Please see the attached specific qualifications, scope and requirements. Compensation: $19,000 USD (equivalent of GH 27,132.00) paid in Ghanaian cedis Interested applicants must submit their proposals including: 1) A cover letter 2) A detailed resum or C.V. 3) Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the contract: Post Delivery: The Director of Management and Operations US Peace Corps P.O. Box 5796, Accra North Hand Delivery: The Director of Management and Operations Peace Corps Ghana Office Near 37 Military Hospital Behind Army Officers Mess 26 W. Switchback Lane Cantonments, Accra Email: jobs@gh.peacecorps.gov

I.

Specific Qualifications
Education Masters Degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Linguistics or other related social science fields Demonstrated experience in implementing social science research projects Experience conducting in-depth field interviews and using survey instruments in evaluative studies Experience selecting, training and managing field staff Experience conducting, analyzing, and writing quantitative and qualitative research/evaluation reports Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. At least one (1) team member must have fluency in American Sign Language and other local languages where the study will be conducted.

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II.

Scope and Requirements

Overview of the tasks The contractor shall appoint a Senior Researcher (SR) who shall be the lead point of contact for the duration of the Impact Study. Working with the Peace Corps Director of Programming and Training (DPT) and/or Country Director (CD), the SR shall perform the following tasks: 1. Review the existing research plan and identify refinements to be discussed with Peace Corps Ghana at initial meeting. 2. Participate in-person or by telephone in an initial meeting with PC Ghana and PC Washington staff to review research study project objectives, and timelines. 3. Review PC Ghana documents for the Impact Study 4. Review and translate the interview questions from English to the local languages that will be used in the interviews. Interview questions will be provided by PC Ghana and PC Washington (see Appendix C for general areas of enquiry). Questions will be back translated (translated back into English by a third party to assure the quality of the translation.) 5. Hire local interviewers to conduct interviews at PC-designated project sites in Ghana. Interviewers must be fluent in the local languages of the interviewees, including at least one person fluent in American Sign Language and the Sr. Researcher must be fluent in English. All of the languages represented in the interview site must be included on the research team. 6. Participate, in person, with the entire research team in a three day training at the Peace Corps Ghana Accra office for the research team prior to the start of the project. PC Ghana staff and headquarters staff will provide training, which, at a minimum, will include an overview of the PC, PC Ghana as well as the Impact Evaluation Study. Training will also include test pilot interviews with former PC work partners who will be identified by PC Ghana to ensure interviewers are confident and competent in conducting interviews and taking notes. Training on the on-line data entry system will also be included. Costs for the research team to participate in this training will be undertaken by the Contractor. 7. Supervise local interviewers so that they will be able to conduct study interviews in a confident and friendly manner. 8. Using the list of potential respondents from each site provided by PC Ghana, contact individuals at each site to verify individuals are available at site and how they may be contacted to set up interviews. (Appendices A and B) 9. Conduct interviews in approximately 25 sites selected by PC. Approximately 5-7 people will be interviewed per site. Each interview is expected to last 40 to 90 minutes. These sites will be geographically spread throughout Ghana. 10. Conduct key informant interviews with stakeholders of the Government of Ghana and key partner organizations identified by PC Ghana (See Appendix A). 11. Develop detailed logistics plan for the field work, including lodging, transportation, and travel to various sites. The Contractor assumes costs for all travel, per diem, and accommodations which shall be included in the fixed-price contract. 12. Communicate the status of the project to the Director of Programming and Training [DPT], Country Director [CD], Program Managers, and Peace Corps Washington weekly, or more frequently, as needed. The updates may include participating in Impact Evaluation Study status phone calls with staff of PC Ghana and Peace Corps Washington. 13. Conduct debriefing meetings with PC Ghana and PC Washington staff after the pilot interviews and at the end of the field work. 14. Enter all interview data into a web-based data entry system to be provided by PC/Washington. Data will be entered in the local languages and translated into English. 15. Produce a project report in English. The report must include a detailed analysis of the study findings, conclusions and recommendations for the project and a description of

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the methodology. The report should also include a discussion of the aspects of the research that worked well and recommendations for improvements. The Researcher/Contractor shall work in his/her own workspace and with his/her own telecommunications and IT equipment. If selected, the contractor will protect from unauthorized disclosure and use, and shall not use, release to others, reproduce, distribute or publish: (1) Any data of the Peace Corps to which the contractor has access to under this contract which is not in the public domain; (2) Any data first produced or specifically used by the Contractor in the performance of this contract or (3) Delivered under this contract (4) Any confidential information Except as authorized by the Contracting Officer.

The Peace Corps will provide the following: 1. Interview questions. 2. Training, including background information on PC, PC Ghana, and the Impact Evaluation Study. PC Ghana will not bear the cost of food, lodging, transportation or other costs of the research team members during this training. 3. A complete list of field work sites and potential interview participants with phone numbers or email addresses on file. 4. List of key government officials and other key partner stakeholders for interviews. 5. Access to a web-based data entry system. 6. Final data set from the interviews with tabulations and cross-tabulations, as requested. All documents, unless otherwise specified, will be provided in English.

III.

Qualifications of the Contractor

The Contractor for the PC Ghana Impact Evaluation Study must have demonstrated social science research experience, research team selection and management skills, and the academic preparation to carry out the project field work in a timely, efficient and quality manner. Specific qualifications are described below: Demonstrated experience in implementing social science research projects. Experience conducting field interviews and using survey instruments in evaluative studies. Experience selecting, training and managing field staff. Education Masters Degree in sociology, anthropology, psychology, community or rural development, or other related social science fields. Flexibility and the ability to work within a range of field conditions. Experience conducting and writing qualitative and quantitative research/evaluation and reports. Language the SR will be fluent in both written and spoken English, as well as the local language. Must be able to travel throughout Ghana on multiple overnight trips. Must have proficient computer skills. Must be able to learn a web-based data application.

IV. Period of Performance

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The Period of Performance shall be from on/about September 28, 2011 (or date of award) through on/about December 31, 2011

V. Proposal
PC Ghana invites interested contractors to send an email with Intent to Bid to: Bob Gingrich, Contracting Officer at bgingrich@gh.peacecorps.gov. Interested contract bidders must provide a research-based evaluation proposal by 4:30 p.m. on September 15, 2011. All proposals and documents should be submitted in English. If you need additional information, send an email to the email address above. No photos or phone calls please. Proposals submitted after the deadline may not be reviewed. All proposals must include the following: 1. Contractor qualifications and prior experience to meet requirements found in Section III with descriptions of key qualifications of personnel/interviewers. 2. Proposed technical research work plan, including task timeline and logistics. 3. Total Firm-Fixed Price for fulfilling the contract as described herein. 4. Breakdown of costs for training, interviews, compensation for the Senior Researcher and interviewers, cost for transportation, meals and lodging, and other costs (e.g., copying, translation, etc.). Maximum Cost: GH 27,132.00 not to exceed $ 19,000 (Exchange Rate of 1.428)

VI. Payment Schedule

The Proposal should include the following payment schedule: Part 1- Upon award and conclusion of the initial meeting Part 2- Upon conclusion of the field work Part 3- Upon acceptance of the final project report by PC Ghana 30% 30% 40%

VII. Evaluation Factors for Award:

PC Ghana anticipates awarding a firm, fixed price contract resulting from this Statement of Work (SOW) to the responsible organization or bidder whose offer conforms to the solicitation and will be most advantageous to Peace Corps, price and other factors considered. PC Ghana will use the following factors, listed in the order of importance, to evaluate offers: 1. The qualifications of the key personnel (senior researcher) and additional personnel as defined in Section III, Qualifications of the Contractor; 2. Technical approach as detailed in the research work plan; and 3. Price. It is expected that the contract will be negotiated and finalized by September 27, 2011 (or date of award) so that training and work can commence on or about the week of October 3, 2011.

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Appendix A Peace Corps - Ghana Impact Evaluation Study Host Country Individuals to be Interviewed**

Host Country Individual 1. Stakeholders 2. Partners/Counterparts 3. Beneficiaries 4.Students

Definition

**Please note that there should be at least: 4-6 interviews of beneficiaries per site 1 interview of counterpart per site to be determined in discussion with PC Ghana, At least 15 interviews of stakeholders To make a total of 5-7 interviews minimum per site.

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Appendix B Anticipated Interview Locations

Town
Akuse Old Tafo Agona Nyakrom Sokode Akim Wenchi Asutsuare Cape Coast Bawku Chiraa Lawra Buoyem Akome Gomoa Lome Okagyakrom Odumase Krobo Gbeogo Bompata Klikor Koase Akrofuom Damongo Otumi Hohoe

District

Region
Eastern Eastern

Language
Dangme Twi Fante Ewe Twi Dangme American Sign Kusaale Twi Dagaare Twi Ewe Fante Ewe/Twi Twi American Sign Twi Ewe Twi Twi Gonja Twi Ewe

Agona

Central Volta Eastern Greater Accra

Cape Coast

Central Upper East Brong Ahafo

Lawra Techiman

Upper West Brong Ahafo Volta Central

Jasikan

Volta Eastern

Taensi-Nabdam Ashanti Akim

Upper East Ashanti Volta

Wenchi

Brong Ahafo Ashanti

Damongo Kwabibirem Hohoe

Northern Eastern Volta

Awiebo Kwame Danso Sene

Western Brong Ahafo

Nzema Twi

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Appendix C Information to be Covered in Interviews Respondent Type Counterpart Question Categories Goal 1 1. Clarification of the project purpose 2. Respondents work history in the field and with the Peace Corps 3. Frequency of contact with the Volunteer 4. Project orientation 5. Project outcomes and satisfaction with the project 6. Community and individual-level changes 7. Maintenance of project outcomes Goal 2 1. Source of information and opinion of Americans prior to the Peace Corps work 2. Type of information learned about Americans from interaction with the Volunteer 3. Opinion of Americans after interaction with the Volunteer 4. Particular things that Volunteers did that helped improve respondents understanding of Americans Goal 1 1. Clarification of the project purpose 2. Frequency of contact with the Volunteer 3. Project outcomes and satisfaction with the project 4. Community and individual-level changes 5. Maintenance of project outcomes Goal 2 1. Source of information and opinion of Americans prior to the Peace Corps work 2. Type of information learned about Americans from interaction with the Volunteer 3. Opinion of Americans after interaction with the Volunteer 4. Particular things that Volunteers did that helped improve respondents understanding of Americans Goal 1 8. Clarification of the project purpose 9. Respondents work history in the field and with the Peace Corps 10. Project orientation in relation to national needs 11. Project outcomes and national needs 12. Changes and sustainability Goal 2 5. Source of information and opinion of Americans prior to the Peace Corps work 6. Type of information learned about Americans from interaction with Peace Corps 7. Opinion of Americans after interaction with the Volunteer Approximate Length of interview 60-90 minutes

Beneficiary

45-60 minutes

Stakeholder

30 minutes

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