Mathematica is seeking a Nepal-based consultant to join its team. This individual will support and advise the U.S.-based Mathematica team on conducting high-quality monitoring, evaluation, and learning MEL activities and workshops in the context of the federal republic of Nepal and serve as a liaison between the Mathematica team, the Nepal-based USAID Early Grade Learning team, and other relevant stakeholders. The expected level of effort will average approximately two (2) days per month from the date of contracting through at least 2025, although this may vary from one (1) to five (5) days per month based on the level of ongoing activities.
The selected individual will:
1. Participate in at least biweekly virtual meetings with the Mathematica team.
2. As needed, represent Mathematica in Nepal-based meetings with the Chemonics-led consortium, and other stakeholders and provide written summaries of key discussion points and action steps from each meeting within three days of each meeting.
3. Support the design of MEL activities including co-developing and reviewing evaluation designs, data collection methodologies, and analysis plans.
4. Co-facilitate workshops as needed.
5. In support of studies and assessments, as needed, conduct oversight of Nepal-based field data collection teams and work with Mathematica staff to manage challenges and issues that arise during evaluation processes.
6. Contribute to and review deliverables, including data collection tools and reports, to ensure that they are relevant and appropriate to the contexts and stakeholders of both the USAID Early Grade Learning activity and the Nepali educational system more broadly.
7. Other tasks as agreed upon in writing with Mathematica.
Required qualifications
– Master’s degree in education, social sciences, public policy, or a related field.
– A deep understanding of the federalized educational system in Nepal, including curricula used in early grades, federal, provincial, and municipal roles and responsibilities in managing primary education, and current assessment and performance measurement approaches.
– At least five (5) years of experience in designing and conducting MEL activities and data collection, analysis and reporting for donor-funded projects, including at least three (3) years of experience working on education projects.
– Proven track record of successful teamwork, workshop facilitation skills, and relationship-building with a range of stakeholders.
– Strong communication, writing, and interpersonal skills.
– Expertise in SPSS.
– Written and spoken proficiency in both the Nepali and English languages.
Preferred qualifications
– Expertise in evaluation methodologies, strong qualitative and quantitative skills, including Stata, and demonstrated ability to synthesize and report on qualitative evidence.
D. TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume or CV via email to Laura Meyer at lmeyer@mathematica-mpr.com and Galina Lapadatova at GLapadatova@mathematica-mpr.com.
Mathematica is dedicated to improving health and well-being by bringing the highest standards of quality, objectivity, and excellence to bear on information collection and analysis for our partners and clients. The company has been at the forefront of assessing the effectiveness of policies and programs since 1968. Mathematica’s capabilities and reach respond to a wide range of social and public policy challenges and information needs in the United States and around the globe. Our employees are leaders in thorough and innovative program evaluation, objective policy research and interpretation, sophisticated survey design and data collection, and comprehensive performance measurement and data management. Mathematica works in a range of countries, serving government agencies, international organizations, foundations, universities, professional associations, and businesses. Our studies and analysis have yielded information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development. More information on Mathematica’s international work can found at: https://www.mathematica.org/our-focus- areas/international-research
