Position Description
EnCompass LLC seeks Senior Evaluation Specialist candidates for a five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform in Zambia. The Senior Evaluation Specialist will oversee the assessments and evaluation services. The Senior Evaluation Specialist will deepen the Mission’s capacity to develop comprehensive scope of works (SOWs) and evaluation questions and will implement the designing, scoping, and executing of assessments and analysis, quantitative and qualitative performance evaluations, impact evaluations (IEs), population-based surveys and other studies including data collection efforts, data analysis, and oversight of partners and consultants. They will review and draft evaluation reports, presentations, and briefings to disseminate learning among MEL Platform stakeholders.

The Senior Evaluation Specialist should possess expertise in designing and executing evaluability assessments, reviewing evaluation SOWs, and conducting quantitative and qualitative data collection, research, and analytical methods to support design and implementation of performance and IEs. The Senior Evaluation Specialist will identify activities for IEs, using evaluability assessments as needed, and determine if they are best suited to experimental or quasi-experimental design methods, such as propensity score matching and/or “difference in difference” methods. The Senior Evaluation Specialist supervises an Evaluation/ Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Specialist and one Evaluation Officer.

The USAID/Zambia MEL Platform will provide USAID/Zambia, implementing partners (IPs), and local country stakeholders with demand-driven performance monitoring and evaluation technical assistance, analytical services, and logistical support services to ultimately improve and ease Mission burden to engage, analyze and communicate the impact of USAID programming in Zambia.

The position will be full-time and based in Lusaka, with travel throughout the country. Only citizens or current residents of Zambia will be considered.

Position Duties and Responsibilities
Essential functions:

Lead the selection, engagement, and management of local partners and experts/consultants for assessment and evaluation activities (performance and impact evaluations, population-based studies, assessments, analyses, other studies).
Conduct and manage assessment and evaluation tasks through the research lifecycle, including:
Conducting evaluability assessments.
Scoping and design of evaluation and research activities. Including tool design and sample design.
Facilitating evaluation team working rapport, establish team roles, and train teams to ensure they are positioned for success.
Coordinating with and overseeing partners/consultants, including management of implementation calendars, to ensure activities include best practices, are within budget, and happen on time.
Providing field-based quality assurance of assessment and evaluation activities.
Leading data analysis efforts, including analysis or synthesis of data across partners as needed by USAID/Zambia and perform quality assurance of analyses.
Reviewing designs to ensure integration of gender and social inclusion, and other key cross cutting priorities across all evaluations, assessments and studies.
Leading reviews of technical assessment and evaluation products developed by partners or consultants and providing feedback to enhance quality of products.
Provide guidance and mentorship to MEL Platform team members on effective quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods, strengthening team capacity.
Track evaluation/study budgets, timelines, and LOE utilization, proactively raising issues and risks to the Institutional Learning Advisor.
Establish and document methodological processes and standards that are compliant with USAID Evaluation Policies and aligned to best practices.
Lead planning sessions with USAID technical offices to determine evaluation needs and timing.
Synthesize evaluation and assessment findings into briefs for use by the Communications Specialist, USAID DOC team, and/or others as appropriate.
Supervise the Evaluation/GESI Specialist and Evaluation Officer
Engage fully as a member of the EnCompass staff team, including participating in staff meetings and other EnCompass events, and providing administrative support to other team members as needed.
Provide support to other monitoring, evaluation, and learning tasks as required by the USAID/Zambia MEL Platform team.
Position Requirements
Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

Master’s degree or post-graduate studies in international development, statistics, business administration, economics, social science, political sciences or another relevant field preferred
Experience and Skills

A minimum of eight (8) years professional-level experience in designing and coordinating evaluations, assessments, and other types of studies/research required.
Experience implementing evaluation or research activities for international development, cooperation, or humanitarian assistance project required.
Minimum four (4) years of management and direct supervision experience required.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams to produce impactful analysis and research projects required.
Expertise in qualitative and quantitative methods for research design and analysis required
Proficient in quantitative and qualitative data analysis software (such as R, SPSS, STATA, Nvivo etc.)
Ability to produce clear and concise reports and present complex information in English to a variety of audiences required.
Experience presenting research and evaluation findings to a diverse group of audiences require
English fluency required. Advanced skills in written English required.
Excellent interpersonal skills required.
Familiarity with USAID’s objective and approaches, particularly as they relate to the USAID Evaluation Policy preferred.
Experience managing a team implementing several evaluations and research studies at once highly preferred.
How to Apply

Please submit CV and cover letter, and complete the application online.

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.

For US based positions: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.

If you require accommodations in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete your application, please call 301-287-8700, provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case-basis, and we will call you back within approximately 3 business days.

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