Marie Stopes Zambia (MSZ) is a marketing-focused, results-oriented social enterprise, which uses modern management and marketing techniques to provide family planning and reproductive healthcare. MSZ is part of the global network that is MSI Reproductive Choices (MSI).  MSZ subscribes to the MSI goal and mission, which is to prevent unwanted births and to ensure the individual’s right to Children by Choice not Chance.

Marie Stopes Zambia is seeking qualified and experienced qualitative researchers to collect data using semi-structured interview and focus group discussion (FGD) guides.

Research Background

Statistics indicate that in Zambia, young people between the ages of 15 and 35 represent 4.8 million (or one-third of the population). This is the largest cohort of young people in the history of the country representing an enormous opportunity to transform our future. Zambia’s youth have the potential to be the innovators, creators, builders, and leaders of sustainable development. However, adolescents and youth face many risks as they navigate their lives. Teenage pregnancies affect 29% of young women. Adolescents suffer from high dropout rates at the secondary level, young women particularly are only 17% likely to graduate.

Many partners want to contribute to the future design of interventions to curb teenage pregnancy rates. For the successful design of such interventions, baseline information is vital. The goal of the research is, therefore, to gather the necessary evidence on the phenomenon of teenage pregnancies in Zambia in order to inform the design of programs and the development of strategy. This research is commissioned by Marie Stopes Zambia (MSZ) and Restless Development and conducted by Bridging Peoples. Its primary focus is on analyzing how the adolescent girl is positioned in the socio-ecological model from the individual, household, community, and structural levels, and how this impacts on her ability to make adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) decisions.

Research Objectives

The central research question is: “What are the contextual factors shaping adolescent girls’ decision-making, leading to adolescent pregnancies?” The research will investigate issues of causality (primary causes) and premeditation (whether or not the pregnancy was intended), as well as contextual factors, including gender and power dynamics, into girls’ and their male partners’ decision-making. Through this socio-economic model, the research will capture insights into risk and protective factors (social, cultural, economic, and other forces shaping her decision making). By identifying the contextual factors that shape adolescent girls’ decision-making and/or lack of agency in deciding to engage in unprotected sex, the research team will be able to analyze the interlocking root causes leading to adolescent pregnancies.

Scope of Work 

Specific responsibilities include:

• Attending comprehensive training delivered by the project team in the use of participatory techniques and all research tools.
• Piloting data collection tools and participating in a debrief session with the Research Manager and other researchers to reflect on the pilot and identify areas for improvement.
• Conducting interviews and focus group discussions with the following groups:
  • Young women aged 18-20 who became pregnant as teenagers.
  • Male partners/husbands of women aged 18-20 who became pregnant as teenagers.
  • Parents, health staff, school staff, civil society representatives, psychologists, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Obtaining informed consent from participants to participate in the research and audio-record the interviews and FGDs.
• Taking notes during interviews and FGDs to capture non-verbal cues and observations.

Data will be collected in Central Province (Kapiri District), Eastern Province (Lundazi District), Western Province (Kaoma Districts), Northern Province (Mporokoso) and Southern Province (Choma) between September 2023 and October 2024.

Deliverables

1. Audio recordings of interviews and FGDs.

2. Interview and FGD notes.

3. Fieldwork notes and contribution to analysis via an online workshop.

Required Expertise and Competences

• A university degree in a relevant field, such as sociology, anthropology, public health, or social work is preferred. Students with exceptional research skills and relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience in conducting qualitative interviews and FGDs, preferably with young women on sensitive topics. Having 3+ years of experience in qualitative research would be an asset.
• Experience in storytelling research methods is strongly desirable.
• Familiarity with the local context, including cultural norms, beliefs, and gender issues. Familiarity with practices related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and teenage pregnancy is an advantage.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with participants from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. The role requires very effective communication skills to build rapport with participants and earn their trust.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent command of English and at least one of the following languages: Bemba, Tumbuka, Nsenga, Tonga, and Lozi.