Fieldworkers can use tablets or smartphones to collect data. Depending on the project requirements, the hardware will either be provided by the enumerators themselves or rented out by the fieldwork management team.

Where fieldworkers use their own devices, fieldwork managers must ensure that the camera is working and can take clear photographs and that the phone can capture GPS coordinates. Settings for both can be adjusted by fieldwork managers for optimal results.

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

  • Monitoring of fieldwork performance

• Performs final sign-off on data collected and checked by data monitors

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

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:

  • Households who refuse to participate

  • Situations where enumerators feel unsafe or threatened

  • Concerns on the part of non-qualifiers or purchasers that they might lose their homes

  • Married owner respondents who claim there is only one owner of the property and refuse to allow spouses to be interviewed / sign sale agreements