Team Leader

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 lead for the final performance evaluation of the Pakistan Transition Initiative program implemented by USAID/Pakistan’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI). The Pakistan Transition Initiative program was launched in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) regions in support of an overarching strategy led by the Government of Pakistan (GoP) to enhance improved service delivery, and to address the capacity constraints of government agencies to deliver essential services with speed and effectiveness. The program supports these GoP efforts through infrastructure improvement, education, health, and economic growth by means of small, short-term grants. The program uses a participatory approach in the development, planning and implementation of projects oriented toward satisfying community needs.  Over its 11-year history, the program has implemented more than 3,000 infrastructure and non-infrastructure activities in the FATA and KP areas.

The final evaluation seeks to assess the extent to which the program (a) successfully achieved its primary objectives, (b) identify which program components were most successful to achieving those objectives, and (c) document how the program objectives contributed to longer-term engagement between the GoP and communities. The evaluation will use a mixed-methods approach to data collection and analysis.

The evaluation will begin on or about May 2018 and finish by the end October 2018. The anticipated level of effort for the team leader is approximately 80-85 days. The evaluation team will include a team leader, stabilization and governance experts, research assistants, data analysts, and other support as necessary.

Responsibilities

·         The team leader will 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:

o    Lead a team planning workshop to design the evaluation.

o    Guide the team in developing/refining data collection instruments, a data collection plan, and a data analysis plan.

o    Lead a briefing with USAID/OTI staff prior to field work.

o    Guide the fieldwork and qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

o    Present results to USAID/OTI and implementing partners.

o    Take the lead in writing reports and briefing papers.

o    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 (social science research, 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 OTI projects.

·         Specific experience evaluating stabilization and governance programs strongly preferred.

·         Familiarity with OTI’s programing approach, 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