Country: United States of America
Closing date: 22 Nov 2018
Water and Development Research Specialists,
E3 Analytics and Evaluation Project
Project Summary:
Management Systems International (MSI), in partnership with the Palladium Group, implements the E3 Analytics and Evaluation Project for USAIDs Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and the Environment (E3). The Project carries out rigorous evaluations and provides analytic support to the E3 Bureaus 12 technical offices, as well as other operating units of the Agency that work in E3 sectors.
The MSI team is currently working with USAID/E3s Office of Water to conduct research and analysis to identify gaps in the evidence around the four development results (DRs) that USAID is targeting to support the U.S. governments Global Water Strategy: [1]
- Strengthen water sector governance and financing
- Increase sustainable access to sanitation and hygiene
- Increase sustainable access to safe drinking water
- Enhance sustainability of water resources
This research will inform future Agency-funded research activities and implementation.
Position Summary:
MSI is recruiting two research specialists, one with expertise in one or more of the specific programmatic approaches under DR2 and one with expertise in specific programmatic approaches under DR3 which have been selected for this study to carry out evidence gap analyses in close coordination with the MSI home office team.
The specific programmatic approaches under DR2 are:
- Hygiene promotion
- Fecal sludge management
The specific programmatic approaches under DR3 are:
- Improve performance of community-managed water supply systems
- Improve performance of urban water utilities
- W ater quality
The research specialists will work with the MSI team to conduct targeted literature reviews and interview sector experts then identify, document, synthesize, and analyze the existing evidence about the effectiveness of the selected programming approaches to identify the evidence gaps. This is not intended to be a systematic literature review; instead, the research specialists will work with MSI to identify existing meta-evaluations, meta-analyses, evidence syntheses, literature reviews, and other relevant evidence to identify key gaps in the existing evidence. The specialists will develop key considerations around future implementation and research activities to address the identified evidence gaps.
The consultants will work from home on a part-time basis over a period of three months between November 2018 to January 2019.
Responsibilities:
I n collaboration with the MSI team, the research specialists are expected to carry out the following tasks:
- Identify and propose relevant water supply and sanitation experts to interview (remotely) who have in-depth knowledge of the existing evidence base of one or more of the selected approaches.
Implement the process and protocols for examining existing evidence and literature around the identified key programming approaches based on the study design.
Identify the relevant evidence gaps by applying the approved processes and protocols for examining existing literature and evidence. This may include identifying, collecting, reviewing, documenting, synthesizing, and analyzing relevant documents; and preparing analytical reports, succinct summaries, and presentations of findings and conclusions about evidence gaps in key programming approaches.
- Provide inputs on key considerations for future implementation and research activities to address the identified evidence gaps .
Qualifications:
- Masters degree required; Doctorate degree strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years experience required in field/academic research conducting literature reviews, analysis, evaluations, assessments, knowledge management, or similar in one or more of the specified approaches under DR2 or DR3 as noted above.
- Demonstrated experience with USAID programming, strongly preferred. Research experience in WASH-related and USAID-funded development programming preferred.
- Excellent oral, written, and communications skills required; writing sample will be requested.
- Proactive, highly organized, and self-motivated to perform high-quality work following standard protocols and complete home-based assignments.
- Highly proficient in MS Office applications.
- Ability to work alone and in teams to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
- English fluency required.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.
To apply: Please visit our website, www.msiworldwide.com
PI105020275
How to apply: