Post-Disaster Educational Continuity in Fiji, and the Impact of Disaster Risk Reduction and Education in Emergencies Programming

Purpose

To help inform Disaster Risk Reduction and Education in Emergencies programming in Fiji, regionally and globally. Through a series of 'lessons learned' workshops, the research will be used directly to inform planning and decision-making by government, international governmental and non-governmental agencies, and the widest range of stakeholders interested in school based disaster risk management, national and sub-national emergency preparedness, capacity development and contingency planning, in advance of the next cyclone or other major hazards to threaten Fiji.

Aim & Objectives

The current disaster offers an important opportunity to gather evidence of two kinds:

• The impact of disasters on education in Fiji, with respect to understanding the factors that enable or impede minimizing school days lost as a result of hazard impacts.
• The impact, and sustainability of our previous effort in both advocacy and capacity-building, for education in emergencies.

A participatory approach to this research, building government and Education Cluster stakeholder confidence in, and ownership in the results, will be highly favoured.

Scope of Work & Deliverables

The research will include both field based research and desktop review and should incorporate both qualitative and quantitative data. The full Scope of Work will be agreed upon successful submission of Research Proposal.

Deliverables

• Full Research Report (20 pages + appendices) (for technical practitioner audience)
• Research Summary Report (4-6 pages) (for public stakeholder audience)
• PowerPoint Presentation of Findings for Education Cluster Stakeholders and Multi-Stakeholder Lessons Learned Workshops

Qualifications

Primary investigator should have:

• Masters or Doctoral degree
• Subject-matter expertise in education sector, and or disaster/disaster management research
• Proven track record in designing and implementing social science research
• Firm grasp of ethical/human subjects review considerations
• Experience in participatory-action research, desirable
• Commitment to research dissemination and interest in implementation science highly desirable

Researcher may propose this as individual or team. All team members will need to submit a "Working with Children" certification or application for child-safeguarding check, in country-of-origin.

Timelines

• Release RFP: 3 June 2016
• Deadline for Expression of Interest EOI: 17 June 2016
• Review of EoI and Invitation for proposals: 20 June 2016
• Deadline for Full Proposals: 1 July 2016
• Review and selection: 8 July 2016
• Implementation: 1st August – 30 November 2016

Budget

Up to AUD 25,000

Travel & Expenses

It is expected that at least one senior researcher will spend a minimum of 2 weeks in Fiji. The researcher is responsible for all of own travel arrangements, travel, accommodation, per diem and incidental expenses, and related health insurance coverage. The researcher is also responsible for all of local transportation costs, materials, refreshments, supplies and translation services that may be required.

Research proposal should include all anticipated costs.

Oversight & Accountability

Type of supervision that will be provided:

Contractor will report to the Save the Children Fiji office in Suva, Fiji. The Research Project Support Team will include Program Manager and Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor in Fiji, Senior Advisor for Education and Disaster Risk Reduction, and an academic advisor (identified in collaboration with Save the Children, Education Safe From Disaster Technical Work Stream).