Background
The Child Development Grant Programme (CDGP) is a DFID funded programme that provides an unconditional cash transfer to pregnant women till their children reach the age of two (2) in Zamfara and Jigawa states. It is jointly managed by Save the Children International (SCI) and Action Against Hunger (AAH). The unconditional cash transfer is supported by behavioural change communication on nutrition.
CDGP intends to build a strong knowledge management system to support the dissemination of lessons and results from programme implementation, research and evaluation to government stakeholders and wider audience. This objective is also in line with the Nigeria country office, regional and global agenda of Save the Children to improve and utilise knowledge management and operation research to disseminate lessons and results, improve programme implementation, improve evidence-based influencing of government and other relevant stakeholders and engender wider uptake of these lessons.
One of the strategies to achieve this is to build and improve capacity of its staff at different levels on report writing, writing of technical documents as well as abstract and manuscript writing.
Introduction
The ability to write a report for donor, especially the quarterly and annual report, is a good skill for programme staff. However, the ability to make in-depth analysis, data analysis and critical thinking; should be a desirable skill.
A tacit assumption is that a basic data analysis skill is sufficient to write a donor report. However, a good knowledge of data analysis helps ensure a better report is written and enables the programme staff to write more technical documents as well as abstracts and manuscripts.
Ideally, key thematic and MEAL staff should have substantially more than a basic understanding of analysing research data; because unintentional, improper statistical/data analyses can distort scientific findings, mislead casual readers and may negatively influence the public perception of what the programme is presenting. As a result, it is vital to ensure accurate and appropriate analysis of lessons and results from studies and researches have a high degree of research integrity, accuracy and objectivity.
This means, any result disseminated from a study, including those that can impact public policy, must be supported by well analysed data and the ability of the programme staff to interpret the analysis. Analysed research results can be disseminated through written reports, articles, papers, media and conferences, both in print and electronic forms. Dissemination of research findings through abstracts and manuscripts provide the opportunity to promote and discuss the study with peers and popularize findings. Writing an abstract provides a framework for identifying and reviewing the key areas of the research study from start to finish.
Rationale for the Abstract and Manuscript Training The 2016 DFID Annual Review of the CDGP emphasised the need for quality, evidence-based and peer-reviewed products for dissemination and engagement with federal and state governments. The abstract and manuscript training is meant to deepen and complement the existing report writing among the CDGP staff. The specific objective of the abstract and manuscript training workshop is to:
Build capacity of CDGP/SC staff to analyse and disseminate research findings and programme learnings;
Improve the skill for both quantitative and qualitative data analysis;
Improve the ability to utilise existing data and conduct desk review for any form of writing; including the capacity to convert programme reports to abstract and papers; and
Improve the critical thinking skills.
Duration and Modality of the Training Workshop
The abstract and manuscript training workshop will be a practice-based five day workshop which will build capacity of CDGP and SC staff to analyse and interpret research and programme data (both quantitative and qualitative) and disseminate findings and learnings.
During the workshop, participants will use existing reports and datasets to analyse and develop draft abstracts and manuscripts suitable for submission to peer-reviewed journal, national, regional, or international conferences.
After completion of the workshop, the facilitators will provide on-going support to workshop attendees to ensure the completion of high quality abstracts and manuscripts.
Expected Outputs Short-term Outputs: By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:
Describe appropriate data analysis planning processes for research;
Understand how to appropriately analyse any quantitative or qualitative data;
Identify, analyse and utilise existing data and desk review to communicate a specific message to specific audiences;
Critically analyse and review documents;
Have an abstract drafted and identified conference to submit it to.
Have a bulleted outline and plans for a full manuscript.
Long-term Outputs:
At least 12 abstracts suitable for submission to national, regional, or international conferences completed.
At least one manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal indexed in PubMed
Draft abstract authored or co-authored by each participant.
Skills gained during this workshop and its practical exercises will enable CDGP/SC to successfully disseminate the results and learnings generated through studies and programme implementation.
Supervision:
The consultancy process will be supervised by the CDGP National Programme Manager and CDGP Knowledge Management Advisor.
Skills, Experience and Qualifications Required
At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Operation Research, Social Science Research Methods or Statistics or related area of study is required;
At least 5 years’ experience of delivering data analysis, abstract and manuscript writing workshop;
Demonstrated research design and analytical skills with at least five (5) years of monitoring and evaluation experience in a development setting in Africa. USAID, DFID or other international donor is experience preferred;
Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data analysis and synthesis, performance evaluation, and report writing;
Knowledge of statistical software (such as SPSS, STATA, and SAS). Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel is strongly encouraged;
Adequate knowledge of desk review and utilisation of existing data and report in research is important;
Evidence of published work and lessons from a donor programme in peer reviewed journals and international and local conferences is compulsory.
Apply via :
savethechildrenng.simplicant.com
