Chief of Party, USAID Ethiopia Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adapting (MELA) Project, Ethiopia

Job Description

Chief of Party, USAID Ethiopia Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adapting (MELA) Project, Ethiopia

Proposal Objective:

Social Impact is pursuing the upcoming five-year approximately $4-10 million USAID-funded Ethiopia Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adapting (MELA) Project. The goal of MELA is to provide and synthesize high-quality monitoring and evaluation data for USAID/Ethiopia, with the purpose of guiding the USG and GoE in adaptive learning and management of its reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) portfolio. MELA will be implemented in parallel with the TRANSFORM activities in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU), Developing Regional States (DRS), and the Strengthening Ethiopia’s Urban Health Extension Program (SEUHP). Major MELA activities will include:

• Comprehensive baseline, midterm and endline evaluations;
• External performance evaluations;
• High-level monitoring;
• Impact evaluations of select development innovations, geospatial analyses and learning forums.

Position Description:

Social Impact is seeking a full-time Chief of Party to propose on our team and manage the eventual USAID-funded MELA contract. This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on a full-time basis throughout the five-year duration of the project. The anticipated start date is March 31, 2016.

Responsibilities:

Serve as the individual bearing primary responsibility for technical aspects of contract performance, including design and advice on methods, provide central oversight, and maintain acceptable standards of quality for tasks assigned. Illustrative responsibilities may include the following:

• Provide management of the project office, including supervision of expatriate and local staff.
• Identify and nominate, for USAID approval, technical specialists for short-term technical assistance to meet the objectives of the project.
• Coordinate, as requested by USAID/Ethiopia, with USAID partner organizations, in conducting evaluation and performance management tasks.
• Advise and educate a range of stakeholders, including other partners, contractors and USAID on policies and services offered by the project.
• Supervise the development, implementation and reporting of evaluation and performance management support activities tasks.
• Assure compliance with contract provisions, including reports.
• Facilitate the transfer of knowledge to local staff.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in the field of international relations, economics, political science, public policy, management and/or other relevant field.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressively more responsible experience gained in highly-complex, integrated donor-funded initiatives focusing on external evaluation, performance monitoring, and performance management in developing countries. Preference will be given to the breadth and diversity of experience with evidence of achieving measurable results.
• Progressively more responsible experience in the design, management, and implementation of impact and performance evaluations, analyses and assessments, including the dosing of the evaluation methodology, designing and implementing quantitative and qualitative methodologies, conducting population based surveys, developing participatory data collection methods and protocols, conducting data analysis, and utilizing data quality verification techniques for development projects.
• Technical knowledge and experience in the design, implementation, and management of monitoring, evaluation, and performance management, including indicator development, data collection and analysis, data quality assessments, performance reporting, evaluation design, evaluation planning, and management and dissemination of evaluations.
• Demonstrated familiarity with RMNCH and/or WASH subject matter.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple components simultaneously, multifunctional teams, international personnel, host country government relations, and client satisfaction.
• Previous experience working closely with local government partners across all levels to accomplish project objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate with other USG or donor-funded projects.
• Knowledge of USAID project cycle, agency policies, regulations, and monitoring and evaluation and reporting requirements.
• Extensive experience in report writing and providing quality report and evaluation presentations.
• Advanced communication, writing and interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience working in Ethiopia or East Africa strongly preferred.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Proficiency in Amharic is desired.

Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.

About the Organization

Social Impact (SI) is a Washington, DC-area international development management consulting firm. SI’s mission is to improve the effectiveness of international development programs in improving people’s lives. We provide a full range of management consulting, technical assistance, and training services to strengthen international development programs, organizations, and policies. We provide services globally in the areas of monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, project and program design, organizational capacity building, and gender and social analysis. SI services cross-cut all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. SI’s clients include U.S. government agencies such as USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the U.S. Department of State, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations and non-profits.