Background
With the technical and financial support of UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), CECOEDECON is implementing project “SWABHIMAAN” with an aim to advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights while adopting human right based, gender transformative and evidence-informed approach with focus on young people representing marginalized and vulnerable section of the society.
UNFPA in support of the Department of Medical health & Family Welfare, Government of Rajasthan, is conducting a qualitative study on user (women) and provider experiences with the single-rod subdermal (SD) contraceptive implant under the National Family Planning Programme. The study is being conducted across four facilities in Jaipur district.
The study will use in-depth interviews with women clients and healthcare providers, and focus group discussions with community health workers, to generate evidence on counselling quality, service delivery, follow-up mechanisms and overall quality of care. Findings will directly inform NHM Rajasthan’s decisions on program strengthening and scale-up.
CECOEDECON is engaged by UNFPA to support implementation of this study and will hire the Qualitative Research expert as per these Terms of Reference. The Qualitative Research expert will play a critical role in ensuring analytical rigor and translating field insights into actionable programme recommendations.
Key Responsibilities
1. Study Planning and Execution
● Develop a detailed operational work plan for the study in consultation with the Core Study Group (CSG) convened by UNFPA, and submit for approval before fieldwork begins.
● Execute all study activities in line with the approved work plan, protocol, and timelines — flagging any deviations or delays to the core study group promptly.
● Manage day-to-day logistics of data collection across the four SMS-affiliated facilities in Jaipur, including scheduling of interviews, facility access coordination and field team deployment.
● Undertake one to two field visits to support or conduct in-depth interviews with service providers at those sites.
2. Tool Development and Piloting
● Develop draft data collection tools — in-depth interview guides for women clients, healthcare providers, and programme managers, and focus group discussion guides for ASHA/ANM groups — in Hindi and English, for the core study group’s (CSG) review and approval.
● Organize and manage the piloting of all approved tools, document findings from the pilot, and revise tools incorporating the SCC/Research Lead’s feedback before formal fieldwork begins.
3. IEC Documentation Support
● Prepare all documentation required for Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) submission to SMS Medical College — including the study protocol, participant information sheets and data collection tools — for review, finalization.
● Track IEC clearance progress and follow up on any queries raised by the IEC, with support from the CSG at all stages.
4. Training of Research Investigators
● Design the training programme for field Research Investigators in consultation with the CSG, covering qualitative interviewing techniques, informed consent procedures, confidentiality protocol and SD implant subject matter.
● Facilitate the training of Research Investigators in Jaipur and ensure all investigators are adequately prepared and cleared for fieldwork before data collection begins.
● Be available throughout the training period to provide hands-on support and address any gaps identified during practice sessions.
5. Supervision of Research Investigators
● Directly supervise all field Research Investigators throughout the data collection period.
● Receive and review weekly reports from each Research Investigator on fieldwork progress, interviews completed, challenges encountered and any participant or site issues.
● Provide timely guidance, corrective feedback, and practical support to investigators to maintain consistency, quality and protocol adherence across all four facilities.
● Escalate any significant fieldwork issues to the Research Lead immediately with a clear summary and proposed resolution.
6. Data Quality Assurance
● Conduct regular quality checks on interview recordings, transcripts, and field notes during data collection — reviewing a sample of transcripts each week against the interview guide.
● Identify and address quality gaps at the field level directly; flag systemic issues to the CSG.
● Ensure all data is stored securely and confidentially in line with UNFPA data protection standards throughout the study.
● All data collected during the study — including recordings, transcripts, field notes and analysis outputs — shall remain the sole property of UNFPA and NHM Rajasthan. The research expert shall not use, share, reproduce, or reference any study data for any purpose outside this assignment without prior written permission from UNFPA.
7. Progress Reporting
● Share weekly progress updates with the core study group convened by UNFPA, as directed by the Research Lead, covering fieldwork status, quality observations, emerging issues, and next steps.
● Incorporate feedback and suggestions from the coordination committee into field operations promptly and keep the Research Lead informed of any committee directions.
8. Data Management and Analysis Support
● Oversee transcription and translation of all interview recordings from Hindi to English.
● Organise and maintain a clean, structured qualitative dataset — transcripts, field notes, and supporting documents — throughout the study.
● Support thematic analysis of qualitative data, including initial coding, theme identification and preparation of analysis summaries.
9. Report Writing
● Contribute to drafting the methodology, findings, and recommendations sections of the study report in consultation with the UNFPA
● Incorporate suggestions from the core study group into successive drafts in a timely manner.
● Support preparation of any policy briefs, presentations, or dissemination materials arising from the study.
Qualifications and Experience
● Postgraduate degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Population Studies, or a related field.
● Minimum ten years of experience in public health research, with significant experience in sexual and reproductive health and family planning programmes in India.
● Demonstrated hands-on experience in qualitative research — designing interview guides, conducting and supervising in-depth interviews and focus group discussions and thematic analysis.
● Prior experience supervising and mentoring field research staff and maintaining data quality in multi-site field settings.
● Familiarity with India’s National Family Planning Programme and NHM programme structures. Experience working in Rajasthan is an advantage.
● Experience with qualitative data analysis.
● Strong written and spoken communication skills in Hindi and English — ability to develop research tools (English and Hindi), training materials and report sections in English.
● Ability to work collaboratively within a defined research framework, manage field operations with initiative and independence and adhere to agreed timelines in a multi-stakeholder environment.
Reporting and Working Relationships
Engaged by
CECOEDECON
Reports to
State Head, UNFPA, Rajasthan
Works closely with
UNFPA TSU Rajasthan; CECOEDECON Programme team
Coordinates with
Study core group (UNFPA-convened); M&E team
Location
Hybrid, and required to Travel to the study locations
Duration
The assignment is for a period of five months, broadly from mid-April 2026 to mid-September 2026, coterminous with the study timeline. The exact start date will be confirmed shortly by UNFPA. The engagement is managed through CECOEDECON as per their HR and contractual policies applicable to UNFPA-supported assignments. Upon commencement, the Quali Research Expert will develop a detailed work plan with clear timeframes in consultation with UNFPA.
How to apply:
Interested candidates are requested to submit the following:
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience in public health research, particularly in sexual and reproductive health and qualitative studies.
- Sample of previous work (e.g., study report, qualitative research output, or similar assignment) demonstrating experience in conducting and/or managing research studies.
- Link to LinkedIn profile (or equivalent professional profile), if available.
- Expected monthly remuneration, clearly indicating:
- Proposed monthly professional fee for this assignment (No other cost needs to be included)
- Last drawn remuneration from a similar assignment/consultancy
Applications should be submitted via email to with the subject line:
“Application – Qualitative Research Expert (SD Implant Study)”
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further discussions.
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