Transcriber Focused Counties In-Depth Analysis of Disability at SoCha

Scope of Work: 

• The LISA program, implemented by SoCha LLC, seeks Transribers (Consultant) to provide Verbatim transcription of recordings from engagements with stakeholders for the Focus County In-depth Assessment on Disability (FCIAD). The ultimate goal of the analysis is to develop practical recommendations, tools, and infographics that will guide the design and implementation of more responsive USAID and USG programs for persons with disabilities in the focus counties with the potential of replication in other counties.  
• The consultant will be contracted by SoCha and will report directly to the Qualitative Data Analyst.    

Roles and Responsibility: 

• Audio File Management: Receive, organize, and securely store audio recordings from key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and any other recorded sessions. Ensure confidentiality and proper handling of all recordings, adhering to ethical guidelines. 
• Transcription: Listen to audio recordings and produce verbatim transcriptions of all interviews and discussions, maintaining accuracy in capturing speech, tone, and context. Label transcriptions with clear identifiers, including the date, location, and type of session (e.g., KII or FGD). Indicate non-verbal cues (e.g., laughter, pauses, or emotional responses) where relevant. 
• Quality Assurance: Ensure ethical and regulatory compliance, data accuracy, and confidentiality. Proofread and edit transcriptions to ensure clarity, coherence, and completeness. Cross-check audio recordings against transcripts to eliminate errors or omissions. 
• Formatting and Standardization: Format transcriptions according to the agreed-upon guidelines (e.g., line spacing, headings, speaker identification). Use consistent coding for speaker identification (e.g., Participant 1, Facilitator). 
• Collaboration: Work closely with the research and analysis team to ensure transcripts meet the project’s qualitative analysis requirements. Provide feedback to the research team regarding any audio quality issues or unclear content. 
• Timeliness: Deliver transcriptions within agreed timelines to avoid delays in analysis. 
• Confidentiality: Ensure strict adherence to data protection and privacy regulations by signing confidentiality agreements and securely handling all files. 
• Data Analysis: Support the analysis of quantitative data using established methodologies to uncover key trends accompanied by visualizations and insights.   
• Documentation and Reporting: Organize and share working analysis tables, visualizations, and datasets and draft write-ups towards the quantitative data sections of the final assessment report.   

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in social science-related fields from a recognized university. 
• Minimum of three years of expertise in providing verbatim transcriptions of recordings from  engagements with stakeholders including but not limited to meetings, Key Informant Interviews  (KIIs), In-depth Interviews (IDIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). 
• Proficiency in transcription software and tools (e.g., Express Scribe, Otter.ai, or NVivo). 
• Excellent typing speed (preferably 60 words per minute or more) and accuracy. 
• Strong command of the language(s) used in the audio recordings (English, Kiswahili, and relevant local languages). 
• Familiarity with formatting standards for qualitative data. 
• An understanding of disability landscape is an added advantage.