JOB DETAILS:

World Bicycle Relief empowers communities in marginalized regions around the world to thrive with life-changing bicycles. We envision a world where distance is no longer a barrier to education, health services, and economic opportunity. A catalyst for change, World Bicycle Relief helps people in need realize their goals by providing a tool, the bicycle, to help them thrive. Equipped with a purpose-designed Buffalo Bicycle from World Bicycle Relief, students, health workers, and entrepreneurs in low-income regions create opportunities for themselves, their families, and entire communities.

We are a mission-driven, global, not-for-profit social enterprise that manages a highly refined bicycle supply chain from design through final distribution. World Bicycle Relief uses an innovative business model to create sustainable bicycle ecosystems. Through World Bicycle Relief's 501(c)3, we provide transport solutions to those who cannot afford them, and through Buffalo Bicycle Limited, we sell the rugged Buffalo Bicycle and spare parts. Through our comprehensive bicycle ecosystem, Buffalo Bicycle Limited also offers users repair and maintenance services via trained local mechanics and a retail network of more than 100 shops. WBR has distributed more than 900,000 fit-for-purpose bicycles and trained 3,250+ community-based mechanics. Girls with Buffalo Bicycles are 19% less likely to drop out of school; dairy farmers earn 23% more income; and health workers reach 88% more patients.

1. ABOUT THE PROJECT

The consultant is requested to lead technical support to the Uganda M&E Team on an assessment of a refugee program, including the research design and tools development.

Bidibidi and Palabek, UGANDA

Uganda hosts over 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, making it the top refugee-hosting country in Africa and one of the top five hosting countries in the world.  Uganda’s policies towards refugees have been hailed as progressive. It has even been called “the world’s best place for refugees.” In Uganda, refugees have the right to work and freedom of movement (Uganda’s 2006 Refugee Act and 2010 Refugee Regulations). Refugees have the right to the same social services as Ugandans, including health care and free primary education. They are not confined to camps but can also live in urban areas.

However, refugees in Uganda face numerous challenges, including limited access to essential services, economic hardships, and social barriers. They also face numerous mobility challenges, including logistical difficulties, high transport costs while accessing essential services and livelihood opportunities, accessing remote areas for agriculture or when seeking employment opportunities. The cost of transportation, accommodation, and other essential services can be prohibitive, especially for those with limited resources.

As a partner, Buffalo Bicycle (U) Ltd, together with implementing partners (Windle International, FCA , JRS, AVSI and WCC) provided 2190 refugees with Buffalo Bicycles to address mobility challenges.  Approximately one and a half years after providing of Buffalo bicycles to refugees, BBU plans to conduct an assessment to:

• • Establish the impact of bicycles on school outcomes – eg punctuality, retention, attendance, enrollment productivity, and school performance
  • Establish the impact of bicycles on economic opportunity, including on transportation expenditure, and the short-term impact on individual and HH income
  • Establish the impact of the bicycles on the work of Community Health Workers
  • Understand the use and mobility patterns of adults eg. Travel mode and bicycle usage

In addition to this body of work, the consultant may be asked to provide research and analysis support for ongoing programs underway during this time. These requests would be submitted in advance with a clear scope.

1. ABOUT THE CONSULTANCY

The Consultant will perform the following tasks in support of the project:

• • Review existing internal literature and data on WBR programs and interventions, and external literature on the impact of bicycle mobility (where applicable) or other similar interventions targeting improvements in education, health, and economic opportunities.
  • Review panel and cross-sectional data and, where applicable, administrative datasets from project partners

• • Lead development of protocol for IRB approval, if required
  • Prepare the sample and sampling frame for each target group and sector
  • Provide technical support to Uganda Monitoring and Evaluation Manager during data collection, including remote training of enumerators where needed, and conducting daily data quality checks to ensure data integrity and completeness.
  • Lead, with support from the M&E Manager, the cleaning and preparation of quantitative data for analysis.
  • Support the M&E Manager with analysis of the quantitative data
  • Support the M&E Manager with the analysis of qualitative data, as required.
  • Providing technical support to the M & E Manager on the analysis of existing secondary data
  • Support the M&E Manager with drafting a report detailing findings from the analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data.
  • Collaborate with the M&E Manager and the assessment team to confirm preliminary findings
  • Partner with the Uganda team to finalize and internally disseminate research findings.
  • Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

EVALUATION DATA

To respond to the primary objectives of the Uganda evaluation listed above, the consultant will have access to most if not all of the following datasets:

• Baseline and early outcome survey data collected by the partner and Buffalo Bicycles Uganda
• Administrative data, as sourced by partners

The survey datasets cover multiple thematic areas, including:

• • Demographic Characteristics and Living Conditions
  • Mobility patterns, including travel frequency, modal choice, distances and time travelled to places of interest.
  • Travel experiences, including safety during commute.
  • Time Use
  • Punctuality and school attendance (School-going children)
  • Access to essential services
  • Bicycles and productivity
  • Bicycle functionality and sustainability
  • Bicycle repair and maintenance costs

Administrative data

• Education systems outcome data among school-going children (e.g.,, school attendance, retention, performance), potentially from 2021-2025, and for students with and without Buffalo Bicycles.
• WBR Monitoring data on bicycle usage and ownership, and schooling outcomes.

1. TIMELINE AND DELIVERABLES

The expected timeline: September to December 2025

The consultant will be contracted for a maximum of 20 working days within the agreed timeframe. A detailed timesheet, recording hours and days worked in alignment with the Scope of Work (SoW), will be required. The work schedule and time commitment will be jointly defined with World Bicycle Relief’s Director of Strategic Information and Innovation during the consultancy kick-off.

The consultant will deliver a co-authored assessment report presenting key findings, analysis of the data, and key learnings and conclusions. In addition, the consultant will produce a presentation deck highlighting the main insights and implications from the evaluation.

1. Activity schedule

Activity

Timeline

Research Design

1 October

Enumerator training and Data Collection

13 October – 7 November

Data analysis and Draft report

20 November

Final report

1 December

1. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related degree.
• At least 4 years of demonstrated post-qualification experience with quantitative research and advanced data analysis, including household survey data.
• Demonstrated experience with use of Stata for statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with drafting detailed and summary research reports.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience working for an academic, think tank or a non-governmental organisation setting.
• Experience with research on mobility and transportation modes, rural livelihoods, education, health, and socio-economic conditions.
• Experience programming survey tools into digital platforms such as KoboToolbox is preferred