February 2024 — To ensure that UNICEF can effectively translate qualitative research data into actionable recomendations and interventions, UNICEF ESARO SBC hosted a qualitative research capacity-building session (recording) in November 2023 and proposed a series of practical tools that can aid in the implementation and supervision of qualitative research for informing programs. These tools offer comprehensive guidance, spanning various sectors, to help Country Offices (COs) overcome key challenges encountered during the supervision of a qualitative research process. To support more targeted data collection efforts going forward, the training focused on starting with the end goal in mind (how do we want to use this data) and working backwards from there to inform the approach. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the data collected can be utilized to benefit children.

These tools include:

• A presentation that highlights the role and options available to COs at each stage of a qualitative research project (before, during and after data collection).

• A template for Terms of Reference (ToR) that serves as a starting point and can be completed when hiring a consultant with expertise in qualitative research (academic or institutional).

• A collection of fictional reports accompanied by guidance, serving as a reference for COs when overseeing the reporting of research findings.

• A table compiling data collection tools that have been successfully implemented in the region.

• Checklists and red flags covering key aspects such as:

1.     What should be included in the ToR when hiring qualitative research consultants.

2.     What should be included in a qualitative data collection plan.

3.     What should be included in a qualitative research report.

4.     What types of questions to anticipate in a qualitative data collection tool