United States of America: Evaluation Deputy Lead, Afghanistan Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activity (AMELA) Kabul, Afghanistan

Evaluation Deputy Lead,

Afghanistan Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activity (AMELA)

Kabul, Afghanistan

Project Summary:

The purpose of AMELA is to provide monitoring, evaluation, and learning support services/assistance to strengthen the implementation of USAID development programs in Afghanistan, and to build the technical M&E knowledge and skills of USAID/Afghanistan Mission staff and stakeholders. The services provided under AMELA will contribute to supporting USAID/Afghanistan as an effective development organization with strong learning and adaptive management processes.

Position Summary

The Evaluation Lead will support the Afghanistan Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Activity (AMELA) by providing technical and managerial support to the development and execution of a wide range of evaluation and research-related activities related to USAID/Afghanistan's portfolio. These may include formative evaluations, summative evaluations, impact evaluations, needs assessments, program assessments, baselines, exploratory research and special studies. The Deputy Evaluation Lead will work with AMELA staff, consultants and USAID/Afghanistan staff to design evaluations, assessments and other research activities, and develop and finalize statements of work. S/he will develop and refine research and data collection tools, analyze quantitative and qualitative data, provide technical inputs to evaluation reports, and provide overall quality assurance for deliverables. Reporting to the Evaluation Lead, the Evaluation Lead will work as a part of a team to help manage the project's evaluation staff, external consultants, assemble and manage teams that may include sub-contractors and external data collection firms, oversee and/or participate in specific evaluations, assessments or other research activities, and ensure that high quality work is done in a timely and efficient manner. This is a full-time expat position based in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Estimated Level of Effort: Full Time

Responsibilities:

The Deputy Evaluation Lead will work with the Evaluation Lead to support and manage AMELA's evaluation and assessment work, including the following:

• Manage a team of highly motivated technical experts, including researcher/data analysts, statisticians/senior data analysts, M&E specialists, and senior M&E Specialists.
• Design and plan a variety of cutting-edge evaluations and assessments
• Develop effective statements of work for evaluations, assessments and other research activities;
• Ensure each activity is of the highest quality and is delivered on time and on budget.
• Determine appropriate staffing levels, recruiting qualified short-term consultants and specialists as needed
• Supervise and/or manage data collection methods and analysis
• Ensure fieldwork and data analysis are conducted consistent with standard operating procedures
• Ensure all evaluation and assessment deliverables meet the highest quality standards
• Collaborate closely with USAID staff, implementing partners and stakeholders to ensure that products are well designed to reflect requirements and encourage utilization
• Support learning activities
• As necessary, serve as lead writer or as a technical reviewer of deliverables, including reports, presentations, summaries and briefs

Assemble assessment and research teams, including the following:

• Work with senior management to identify internal and external staffing needs
• Work with HR staff to recruit external consultants
• Identify data collection firms, thank tanks and other institutions required to complete the assignment
• Write consultant statements of work (SOWs)
• Write or contribute to the writing of SOWs for RFPs and/or subcontractors to undertake data collection
• As necessary, lead and facilitate team planning workshops prior to the commencement of field work

Function as the leader of the evaluation and assessment teams, as needed, including the following:

• Provide effective oversight and mentor evaluation staff that are supervising and supporting short-term consultants, and long-term staff who are assigned to evaluations, assessments or other research activities.
• Effectively manage teams to ensure smooth workflow processes.
• Work with evaluation staff to manage subcontractors to ensure the timely collection of high quality quantitative and qualitative data.
• As directed by the Evaluation Lead, engage effectively with the client, including USAID/Afghanistan's program office, technical offices and senior management regarding current and future assignments.
• As required, lead interim and final debriefing sessions, including the production of supporting materials such as hand-outs and power-point presentations.
• Collaborate with AMELA staff, including monitoring, evaluation and GIS/IT staff to maintain a regular flow of communication throughout the assignment.
• Interact as needed with sector experts and other donors and implementing partners working in areas related to AMELA's research assignments.
• Participate in activities to ensure research data and information contributes to USAID/Afghanistan's learning and adaptive processes.

Travel outside of Kabul as required and as security permits.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of evaluation experience
• Demonstrated expertise managing, leading and coordinating quantitative and qualitative studies and evaluations
• A Master's degree or PhD in statistics, development studies, development evaluation and management, or other relevant field of study
• Knowledge of sampling and demonstrated experience with designing surveys and other data collection instruments
• English fluency required
• Experience in operating in complex, international environments, with multi-cultural and multi-ethnic setting is required
• Experience in Afghanistan or conflict environment strongly preferred
• Strong management skills with supervisory experience preferred
• Demonstrated collegial work style
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and client management skills
• Capacity and skills to work effectively in an environment that encourages collaboration, learning, and adaptive management

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.

PI110321880

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