Client Profile
Currently operating in 30 countries, AVSI specializes in education, with deep experience in primary education in a wide array of global contexts, including complex and other emergencies. More broadly, AVSI boasts a record of demonstrated efficacy in both development and humanitarianism, including peacebuilding, water and sanitation, health, nutrition, and food security and livelihoods. Formulated over more than 40 years of development practice, the AVSI methodology is informed by Catholic Social Teachings as well as extensive organizational experience.
AVSI established a permanent presence in South Sudan in 2005 after over a decade of implementing cross-border projects from northern Uganda. It first established a field office in Ikwoto County, Eastern Equatoria State (EES), before consolidating its presence in EES with a field office in the state capital, Torit, in 2009. An administrative office in Juba followed in 2011 and a third field office in Cueibet County, Lakes State opened in 2014. In each location, AVSI has followed in the footsteps of the Catholic Church, leasing Diocesan property and, in two field offices, taking over compounds and programming previously managed by the Comboni Missionaries.
Definition of Problem
South Sudan has been a humanitarian emergency since civil war broke out between competing government factions in December 2013. In this moment, AVSI’s mission and portfolio in South Sudan remains heavily focused on long-term development activities. Given the emergency context, including the violence of July, 2016 and the ongoing aftermath, AVSI is seeking to continue improving its development work within a complex operating environment as well as address critical humanitarian needs in its geographic areas of implementation. Currently, AVSI maintains a geographic presence in an area of both chronic and acute food insecurity and high levels of refugee outflow as well as in an area with one of the highest rates of intercommunal violence, including cattle raids and revenge killings, in the country.
AVSI seeks a DAT that is capable of providing intensive background research and critical analysis of primary and secondary data in support of project design, current and future field research, and ongoing project implementation. This may range from addressing more traditional challenges of international development within a humanitarian crisis to supporting active field assessments within a rapidly evolving humanitarian crisis. AVSI seeks a DAT with strong qualitative research skills as well as high degrees of flexibility and independence. Below are three tentative projects under consideration for the DAT. AVSI proposes that the DAT undertake two of the three listed following a discussion between client and DAT.
Initial Ideas and Options
Absenteeism in Health and Education
Classic Development Challenge – Key staff not showing up to work and undercutting service delivery and public trust
Literature Review – synthesize the latest extant literature and provide an overview of bright spots backed by rigorous evidence
Policy Memo – Provided a detailed contextual analysis, propose adaptations for existing projects, large and small, based upon the literature review
Definition of Success
The team should develop clear, thoughtful, well-organized and actionable research on the relevant themes that will impact AVSI’s practice.
Development Advisory Team
Final Report