It is critical that recruits understand the importance of the completeness and accuracy of the data they gather. They must therefore be provided with comprehensive training so that they understand why they are collecting data and how it will be used. Training takes place over three to five days depending on the number of fieldworkers to be trained. Aside from classroom-based training, there should be an opportunity for the team to test the survey instrument in field during a pilot. The pilot allows trainers to assess how well enumerators perform and identify weakness that need to be addressed with additional training.

The broad training curriculum includes:

• Introduction to POPIA

• Background and objectives of the project

• Conducting an interview and good fieldwork practice

• Survey / questionnaire training on devices

• Role play

• Health and safety protocols (e.g. COVID)

• Pilot in field

• Re-training where required

Additional Training Requirements

• A suitably sized and Wi-Fi enabled venue for the training session should be made available close enough to the study area to allow for easy access to on-site visits to conduct the pilot

• Demarcation maps for enumeration should be utilised during the training session so that the fieldworkers are able to receive clear and useful instructions from the fieldwork supervisors

• Enumerators should be made aware of any sensitivities that might exist during home visits so that they deal with difficult situations appropriately. These might include:

Hiring and contracting

• Number of fieldworkers required depends on the timeline of the project and capacity of the project team (number of surveys in the study and the number of fieldwork supervisors available)

• Some candidates may drop out at various stages of the process (recruitment, interviews, training and fieldwork). Therefore the project team should recruit, interview and train a larger number of fieldworkers than will be required so that there will be a sufficient number of individuals remaining to conduct surveys

• Different contracts should be put in place depending on the project role (i.e. fieldworker, supervisor, manager or data monitor) and their responsibilities (i.e. working hours, remuneration, training bonus, performance bonus)

Remuneration

• There are two main remuneration models that can be utilised for fieldworkers / enumerators:

  • Fieldworkers are paid per completed and approved survey

    • An expected average rate is to complete between 5 to 7 surveys a day

In some instances, an external service provider may be contracted to undertake some or all aspects of the enumeration (such as fieldworker recruitment and hiring, training, fieldwork, data monitoring and fieldwork management)

Major roles in the fieldwork team

Project Manager

• This is the main liaison between the project team and the municipality or province

• Performs general oversight and management of project team and project processes

Community Engagement Manager

• Manages the relationships between the communities and local area committees to ensure participation and buy-in

• In-field monitoring and support for fieldwork team

Fieldwork Manager

• Performs general oversight and management of fieldwork supervisors, fieldworkers and data monitors

  • Device set-up and data management

  • Daily allocation of fieldworkers to households

Fieldwork Supervisors

• Provides infield assistance and support for core fieldwork team

• Conducts quality assurance / "call back" surveys

• The number of field supervisors required depends on the number of fieldworks - usually one supervisor is allocated to 5-10 fieldworkers

Fieldworkers / Enumerators

• Perform enumeration / data collection

• Act as witnesses to sale agreements

Data Monitors

• Conduct data quality control checks for submitted surveys