Pulse Check Survey - Development Intelligence Lab Pty Ltd - 2024
Description of Project:
A Pulse Check is a survey that is both policy-oriented in its results and whose methodology challenges those participating to make some of the tough choices facing policymakers. The Pulse Check x Southeast Asia project seeks the views experts of up to 40 experts in each of the nine ODA-eligible countries across Southeast Asia, on Australia’s development cooperation in their country.
The Lab is focused on analysing the findings of the surveys and communicating the key findings through publication, policymakers’ briefs, and dialogues to work with policymakers to understand the findings and ensure their application to live challenges.
Description of actual services provided by your staff within the assignment:
The primary purpose of the consultant role is to support the successful delivery and impact of the Lab’s Pulse Check x Southeast Asia project. This role is specifically focussed on supporting data collection for the Pulse Check x Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand.
The consultant will work closely with the Lab Analyst, providing intensive support building a long list of potential survey respondents, refining survey collection methods (mainly online or by phone), conducting data collection, and data clean up. The most critical components of this role include:
Induction on Pulse Check purpose, structure.
Working with the Lab Analyst, the consultant will attend remote briefings, read documentation, and maintain regular communication with the Lab Analyst in order to understand the purpose, structure, methodology and intended outcomes of the Pulse Check survey.
Production of participant long list.
Drawing on existing networks and working with the Lab Analyst, the consultant will produce a ‘long list’ of target survey participants that meets the criteria of the Pulse Check survey. (Criteria to be shared by the Lab.) Once agreed with the Lab, this will become the list from which the consultant will work to collect responses.
Refining and rehearsing of data collection approach.
Working alongside the Lab Analyst, the consultant will refine and rehearse the approach to data collection (via online form and via phone survey), including ensuring that all necessary information regarding the purpose, independence and confidentiality of the survey will be accurately conveyed to prospective participants.
Where reasonable, the consultant may advise on possible amendments to the method of data collection that are responsive to the unique context of the country in which data collection is taking place, and where they believe such amendments will contribute to an increase in the response rate. Any amendments must be agreed by the Lab Analyst.
Data collection.
The consultant will use the agreed target participant long list to conduct data collection. This will include initiating contact with participants, providing them with agreed options for their method of survey completion, and providing the appropriate support necessary to enable their completion of the survey, in line with agreed methodological approaches.
Where unforeseen barriers to data collection by the consultant, or survey completion by the participants arises, the consultant will alert the Lab Analyst and may make further recommendations for potential amendments in order to find a way forwards. Any amendments must be agreed with the Lab Analyst before proceeding.
Communication and ways of working.
The consultant will maintain regular communication with the Lab Analyst. This may include joining weekly or daily short ‘check-in’ meetings via email, phone or video calls.
Location: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar
Client: Development Intelligence Lab Pty Ltd.