Position Summary
MSI is seeking a qualified social science researcher to act as Team Leader for a third party MSI PERFORM monitoring assignment. The Team Leader will manage and oversee the work of two field researchers that will be responsible for monitoring the grant activities of the USAID-funded Khyber Pakhtunkwa Governance (KPG) Project. The objective of the $22 million, four-year project is to provide USAID/Pakistan’s FATA/KP Office with the means to support U.S. foreign policy objectives by helping the KP Government to advance peace and democracy as part of a transition to stability in the region. The KPG will contribute to increased government legitimacy in an area where authority has been formerly challenged and/or weakened. In order to address critical democratic transition priorities, the project focuses on: 1) building public confidence in government institutions, structures and systems by providing essential services, improving dialogue between government officials and citizens, and helping to diffuse possible conflict; 2) strengthening an independent civil society in the public interest and holding governments accountable; 3) assisting elected officials and public administration to respond to local community needs and to develop their ability to communicate effectively with constituents; and 4) forging a path on gender equality and women’s empowerment in partnership with elected and appointed officials.
The purpose of the monitoring is to verify and validate the reported data under the USAID/Pakistan KPG Project in the four focus districts of Banu, Kohat, Peshawar, and Swabi and provide an independent perspective on KPG performance regarding the extent to which activities are being implemented according to the KPG plan and reported results are accurate. The assignment will also provide information on the perspectives of beneficiaries and other stakeholders regarding KPG interventions. The estimated duration of the assignment is approximately 24 months.
The monitoring will begin around mid October 2016 and continue until September 2018. A total of eight to nine grant activities are expected to be monitored monthly. The Team Leader will be supported by two field researchers and a number of MSI PERFORM staff.
Responsibilities
- The Team Leader will manage the activities of the team, drawing on the strengths of individual team members to produce high quality deliverables.
- In collaboration with MSI PERFORM staff and field researchers, the Team Leader will take the lead in:
- Refining the monitoring design and methods and leading the team planning workshop (TPW).
- Developing the data collection instruments, a data collection plan, and a data analysis plan.
- Leading a briefing on the monitoring design, instruments and approach with USAID staff prior to field work.
- Guiding and spot checking the fieldwork to ensure quality of the information collected.
- Conducting qualitative interviews with project stakeholders, observing activities, and documenting notes from interviews conducted.
- Reviewing the work of assignment team members and ensuring the quality of interim work products.
- Coordinating between team members and MSI PERFORM.
- Providing key inputs in qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
- Presenting results to USAID and the implementing partner.
- Drafting quarterly and annual monitoring reports.
- Undertaking other tasks as assigned.
- The Team Leader is ultimately responsible for completing high quality reports within the stipulated timeframe and meeting key milestones during the course of the assignment.
Qualifications
- At least a Master’s degree in social science research and at least seven (7) years of demonstrated experience monitoring or evaluating international development project activities.
- Familiarity with USAID performance requirements.
- Excellent analytical and personal communication skills.
- Excellent English writing skills.
- Fluent in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Ability and willingness to conduct field work in KP Province.
- Fluent in Pashto, Urdu and English languages.
Candidates that have a real or potential conflict of interest in this monitoring assignment will not be considered for this position. 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 monitored, or the USAID requesting office.
“Position will be filled on a rolling basis”
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer