Field Researcher - Wildlife Conservation Assessment

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.

***Please note: Only citizens of Pakistan are eligible for this position. ***

 Position Summary: 

MSI is seeking a field researcher in wildlife and forest conservation and rural development to support an assessment of lessons learned during a USAID-funded wildlife conservation project in four (4) districts of Gilgit Baltistan. The conservation project was implemented by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) between December 2015 and September 2016. During the life of the grant, WCS formed community-based conservation and social development organizations, helped target communities to develop conservation and resource management plans, and trained community wildlife managers to patrol and educate visitors in protected conservation areas. Field researchers will join a team of experts tasked with identifying lessons learned and assessing prospects for replicating grant activities elsewhere in Pakistan. The Field Researcher will be involved in team planning, data collection in Gilgit Baltistan and/or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, data management and processing, analysis, and validation of assessment findings.

The assessment will begin in March 2018 and conclude in May 2018. Team activities will take place in Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The anticipated level of effort for the field researcher is approximately 40 days. The team will include a team leader, two (2) sector specialists, two (2) field researchers and other support as needed.

Responsibilities:

·         Participate in the team planning workshop and contribute to data collection instruments and data collection plan.

·         Coordinate with implementing partner staff to organize interviews and meetings for the assigned assessment area.

·         Assist sector specialist in conducting interviews, take interview notes and draft transcriptions.

·         Report regularly to sector specialists, team lead, and MSI support staff in Islamabad on findings from the field.

·         Support analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.

·         Identify and document findings, conclusions, and recommendations on area(s) assigned in the assessment, according to protocols established by MSI/PERFORM and the assessment team.

·         Contribute to preparing the assessment report and briefing papers, if required.

Qualifications:

·         At least a master’s degree and 7 years of professional experience.

·         Knowledge of wildlife and forest conservation sector, particularly in Gilgit Baltistan and KP/FATA.

·         Demonstrated experience in field research, including note taking and preparing interview notes.

·         Demonstrated experience in conducting focus groups, interviews and other qualitative tools.

·         Excellent communication skills, especially in written and spoken English. Fluency in local languages of Gilgit Baltistan required.

·         Ability/willingness to conduct field work.

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.