Social Network Analysis Consultant (SNA)

Primary Responsibilities and Tasks

Under the supervision of Counterpart’s Director of Women’s Economic Advancement, the SNA Consultant will lead the design and implementation of the SNA, as described below:

Design the SNA methodology and data collection instruments:

The consultant will develop the SNA methodology and data collection plan for selected countries and regions, which will include collecting at least 200 alumni-completed surveys, conducting 20–30 key informant interviews, and completing up to six online focus group discussions. The consultant will design, test, and finalize survey, interview, and focus group tools, which must address data security, privacy, informed consent, and ethical considerations.

In coordination with the Counterpart team, the consultant will define the network boundaries, distinguishing the core alumni network from external relationships and the broader institutional ecosystem. The SNA inception report will define these boundaries and specify who is included in the formal SNA. The consultant will select appropriate measures—such as density, centrality, reciprocity, clustering, brokerage, bridging ties, and cross-country or cross-sector connectivity—and explain their relevance and limitations.

Counterpart will provide a list of alumni to engage in the SNA, and the consultant will propose the sampling and outreach approach and confirm participant targets for each data collection method. During the SNA inception phase, the consultant, in collaboration with the Counterpart team, may refine the sample size and data collection methods based on network boundaries, geographic coverage, feasibility, and expected response rates.

In addition, the consultant will develop and implement a data protection and risk mitigation plan, including informed consent procedures, data minimization, role-based access, secure storage and transfer, anonymization or pseudonymization, retention and deletion procedures, and safeguards for presenting network maps where individuals may be identifiable by their position in the network.

Lead and oversee the data collection process

The consultant will lead a remote data collection effort, including collecting surveys, conducting key informant interviews, and facilitating focus group discussions. Throughout data collection, the consultant will use an online data collection system to organize and manage responses. The consultant may also use appropriate AI-assisted tools to support data review, coding, pattern identification, and synthesis, in accordance with Counterpart’s organizational policies and with prior approval where required. Identifiable participant data should not be uploaded to public AI systems. The consultant will detail the data collection and management approach through data management, security, and analysis plan.

Throughout the data collection process, the consultant must ensure strong data quality, privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, and ethical safeguards.

Specific data collection tasks include but are not limited to: 
Manage online surveys and responses/incoming data, including organizing data files, and maintaining the data management system.
Conduct data quality and integrity checks throughout data collection, including reviewing completeness, consistency, accuracy, and confidentiality safeguards.
Address issues that arise during data collection, including respondent follow-up, tool adjustments, data-entry problems, and ethical or privacy concerns.

Local consultants: The consultant may recommend working with local consultants or country-based data collectors in selected target countries to support outreach, in-country data collection, contextual interpretation, respondent follow-up, and quality assurance. Applicants should state whether local consultants or data collectors are required, identify their anticipated functions, and include associated costs in the financial proposal. The final contracting, management, and payment arrangement will be agreed during the contract negotiation phase and documented in writing.

Perform data analysis and develop findings
The consultant will analyze the SNA data and identify key findings on the structure, strength, and economic value of the alumni network. The analysis should identify key connectors, bridgebuilders, clusters, isolated groups, cross-country and cross-sector linkages, and the types of support, information, and opportunities exchanged value to alumni, and how the network supports or facilitates alumni’s access to financial opportunities, economic advancement, and resilience

Produce SNA report, including graphic representations of the SNA

The consultant will produce a report that includes the following: 
SNA methodology and data collection, including limitations. 
Key findings of the SNA, related to the nature, scope, and strength of Counterpart’s alumni network and the connections therein, as described above. 
Illustrate the SNA findings through network maps and other visualizations that show key connectors, clusters, bridges, isolated groups, cross-country or cross-sector linkages, and the types of support and opportunities exchanged through the network.
Provide practical recommendations based on the SNA findings described above.

The consultant will assess disclosure and security risks before presenting individual-level network findings. Public-facing products should use aggregated, anonymized, or pseudonymized visualizations unless Counterpart provides written approval, and appropriate consent has been obtained.

Expected Deliverables

Inception report, including a detailed work plan, sampling approach, and network-boundary framework.
Final data collection instruments, consent and materials, data protection and risk mitigation plan.
Data management, security, and analysis plan, including any proposed AI-assisted tools and safeguards.
Cleaned and anonymized dataset, data dictionary, node and edge lists, coding framework, and relevant analysis files or scripts.
Slide deck of preliminary SNA findings, shared with Counterpart and presented through a virtual validation session.  
Draft SNA report, including SNA infographics and network maps. 
Based on Counterpart’s feedback, final SNA report, including SNA infographics and network maps. The consultant will also provide a separate executive summary of the report. 
Final slide deck of SNA findings and graphics. 
Handover sessions and documentation that allow Counterpart to understand and reproduce core metrics and visualizations.

Timeline and Level of Effort

The consultancy is expected to require up to 40 working days over approximately four months. Applicants should propose a realistic workplan and level of effort, including assumptions related to inception and design, tool testing and revision, data collection, local consultant or data collector support, data cleaning and analysis, validation, reporting, and final handover. The proposal should clearly identify key review periods, expected Counterpart inputs, and the final completion date.

Counterpart’s Responsibilities

Provide the available alumni database and relevant program documents.
Introduce the consultant to relevant focal points and support participant outreach as agreed.
Review and approve the methodology, tools, data protection approach, and workplan.
Provide applicable organizational policies related to data protection, privacy, safeguarding, and AI use.
Support validation of emerging findings and provide timely consolidated feedback.
Approve any public presentation or external use of findings, network maps, or visual products.