Background:

Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) International is a humanitarian organization providing urgent support to

the people of Syria. CHF is leading the implementation of the USAID Growing Agriculture and Incomes in Syria

(GROW) project. The goal of GROW is to improve food security and strengthen agriculture market systems in

non-regime-controlled areas of Syria, encompassing Northeast Syria (NES). To achieve this goal, GROW will

accomplish three key objectives: increase local agricultural production; expand access to food in local markets;

and increase farmers’ and/or agribusinesses’ incomes. GROW will address cross-cutting climate and inclusion-

related constraints by piloting and scaling market strengthening approaches that generate catalytic, equitable

investments and strategic partnerships while advancing localization. As a result of GROW, private sector-led

growth, household resilience and stability will be boosted. Program activities are politically neutral,

independent, and impartial.

Purpose / Description:

CHF is looking for experienced field researchers to support its teams with the development of two assessments

under GROW project: Agriculture Needs Assessment and Value Chain Analysis (VCA). The two deliverables will be

led by a VCA Consultant in coordination with the GROW team. These assessments aim to provide an overview of

the key challenges and needs within the following agriculture subsectors in NES: 1) Cereals Crop Production, 2)

Livestock Production, and 3) High-Value Crops.

The findings from these assessments will serve as a foundation for initial GROW program interventions and guide

further research and comprehensive assessments. To accomplish this, CHF will contract three field researchers to

support with data collection in specific locations across Al Hasakah, Ar Raqqa, and Der ez-Zour governorates.

Working closely with the VCA Consultant, the field researchers are expected to engage in primary data collection,

including Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with local stakeholders relevant to the agriculture sector and

agribusinesses (examples include agriculture authorities, agribusinesses owners, inputs traders, processors,

farmers and veterinarians’ unions, etc.).

Filed researchers are also expected to draft short reports (in Arabic) providing brief findings on specific research

questions using correspondence with relevant stakeholders and their local knowledge and insights.

Field Researchers Activity / Responsibilities:

Key duties and responsibilities:

- Conduct qualitative data collection, including KIIs and ad hoc correspondence with local stakeholders involved in

the agriculture sector, such agriculture authorities, agribusinesses owners, inputs traders, processors, farmers and

veterinarians’ unions.

• Identify relevant KIIs and support the team with KIIs scheduling.
• Develop brief reports (in Arabic) answering specific research questions through correspondence with relevant
• stakeholders.
• - Engage in ad hoc engagement and correspondence with relevant stakeholders to fill gaps in information and seek
• follow up details on issues identified in standard data collection tools.
• - Provide insights and local knowledge to findings and contribute to the understanding of the challenges and needs
• affecting the targeted agriculture subsectors.
• - Collect primary documents and data held by relevant entities, including internal assessment reports, agriculture
• directives, aggregate data on businesses, and stats.
• - Adhere to the agreed-upon timelines and deliver the final reports and services within the specified timeframe.
• - Collaborate and communicate effectively with the GROW team, providing regular updates on progress,
• challenges, and any necessary adjustments to the research approach.
• - Carry out any other related duties as required.

Timeline / Timeframe: 

• The estimated dates for starting data collection are March 2024 for the Rapid Needs Assessment and April 2024 for the in-depth VCA.
• A Field Researcher’s LOE for each assessment is estimated at around ten days, making a total of 20 days for both assessments.

In line with the assessments’ geographic scopes, the allocation for field researchers will be as follow: 

• One Field Researcher in Al Hasakah governorate.  
• One Field Researcher in Ar Raqqa governorate. 
• One Field Researcher in Der ez-Zour governorate.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as agriculture, agricultural economics, agriculture, economics, and

veterinary studies, or a related discipline; Comparable professional experience and expertise conducting field

research for humanitarian and development projects will be accepted.

- Minimum 5 years of experience in conducting field research for humanitarian, development, or stabilization

bodies/programs in NES.

- Strong data collection skills, including experience dealing with qualitative data collection methods and tools.

- Proficiency in using data collection applications or tools to efficiently gather, manage, and analyze data.

- Experience in conducting research/reporting focused on the agriculture sector.

- Good understanding of the agriculture sector and its challenges in NES.

- Strong networks and connections with local stakeholders and authorities involved in the agriculture sector.

- Awareness of the political, economic, and environmental context in NES.

Field Researcher will report to:

- VCA consultant.

- Agriculture Productivity Manager.

Payment:

The contracted researcher will be paid as follow:

• The 1st payment will be paid after the completion of the data collection and research for the Rapid Need  Assessment.
• The 2nd payment will be paid after the completion of the data collection and research for the VCA.
• Payments shall be made according to actual working days, with a maximum of 20 working days during the  
• contract's duration.
• Payments are made after the submitted approved timesheets and completion of service reports.