Country: Pakistan
Closing date: 18 Feb 2018
Team Leader,
Centers for Advanced Studies (CAS) Evaluation, Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM), Pakistan
Company Profile:
MSI, a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, DC metro area international development firm with a 35-year history of delivering development results across the world. Our core expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation (M&E), institutional development, public sector management, governance and anti-corruption. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Jordan, Kenya, Indonesia, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Colombia, and Mexico. As one of the leading companies in our field, MSI has partnered with organizations across all sectors of international development to support clients ranging from large bilateral and multilateral donors such as USAID, the World Bank and the UNDP to national and local governments, NGOs, think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.
Project Summary:
In May 2015, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a five-year contract to Management Systems International (MSI) to provide performance management support to USAID-sponsored development programs throughout Pakistan. The Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM) serves as a centralized management support mechanism that provides services in (1) monitoring, (2) evaluation, (3) assessment, and (4) learning support. PERFORM provides data and information to help USAID/Pakistan project managers improve results through better implementation, design, and learning, enabling it to better target its programming and achieve its goals and objectives.
Position Summary:
MSI is seeking a team leader for a midterm evaluation of the US-Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies project. USAID/Pakistan, in coordination with the Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) is supporting three (3) US-Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies (CAS) in energy and water that are supported by two (2) American universities. In conjunction with their U.S. partners, the centers will develop programs that produce graduates who are prepared to meet the needs of industry, government, and their communities through applied research. Project activities to support these objectives include: exchange programs and joint and applied research with U.S. partner universities, building and equipping laboratories, developing/reforming curricula, improving university governance, and scholarships to support graduate and post-graduate training programs.
The midterm evaluation will assess the performance of five (5) of the awards under the CAS project. Results will help improve the implementation of these awards for the remaining project duration. The evaluation will assess the effectiveness of university partnerships, overall project management and sustainability of the results including the role of governance structures.
The evaluation will begin on or around March 10, 2018 and finish on around the end of June 2018. The anticipated level of effort for the team lead is approximately 60-65 days. The team will include sector experts, research assistants, data analysts, and other support as necessary.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the activities of the team, drawing on the strengths of individual team members to produce the best possible evaluation report.
- In collaboration with MSI staff and team members, the team leader will
- Lead a week-long team planning workshop (TPW) to design the evaluation.
- Guide the team in developing data collection instruments, a data collection plan, and a data analysis plan.
- Lead a briefing with USAID staff prior to field work.
- Guide the fieldwork and qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
- Present results to USAID and implementing partners.
- Take the lead in writing reports and briefing papers.
- Undertake other tasks required for the successful completion of the study under the direction of PERFORM staff.
- The team leader is ultimately responsible for all deliverables including the final evaluation report.
Qualifications:
- At least a master’s degree in a relevant field (public health, public policy, social sciences, or a related field) and 15 years of professional experience or a Ph.D. in a relevant field with at least 10 years of experience.
- Experience leading evaluations, preferably of USAID projects.
- Specific experience evaluating higher education assignments strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with USAID, and USAID evaluation policy.
- Excellent analytical and personal communication skills.
- Excellent English writing skills, particularly evaluation reports.
- Fluency in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
- Experience working in Pakistan and/or South Asia preferred.
*Position will be filled on a rolling basis*
Candidates that have a real or potential conflict of interest in this evaluation will not be considered for this assignment. MSI will require a written statement to this effect before formal engagement on this assignment. Conflict of interest in this context includes, but is not limited to: close and/or family relations with the individuals that are related to the project, financial interest in the implementing organization(s) or grantees, current or previous experience with the project being evaluated or the USAID requesting office, etc.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.
How to apply:
To Apply: please go to our website, https://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=MSI&cws=51&rid=6086