Evaluation Expert, Ex-Post Evaluations for USAID Climate Strategy Reporting

Job Description

Location: Based in or legally authorized to work in either Colombia, India, or Mexico

Designation: Senior-level short-term consulting assignment

Applications accepted through: June 14^th, 2024

Under the USAID Building Evidence for Decision-Making (BE4D) mechanism, USAID has requested NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC) and its consortium partners to conduct a set of ex-post evaluations to inform USAID’s Climate Strategy Reporting. The overarching objectives of the ex-post evaluation activity are three-fold and will results in three sets of reporting outputs:

1. Conduct ex-post evaluations of identified Mission activities to estimate the quantity of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions achieved as a result of USAID support, in each of three countries: Colombia, India, and Mexico;
2. Assess the extent to which GHG emissions reductions and development impacts from past USAID Sustainable Landscapes activities were still occurring in FY22-23 in the same three countries (Colombia, India and Mexico), and reasons why or why not, across the three Mission portfolios; and
3. Create a methodology to document and assess the contribution of USAID Natural Climate Solutions-related policy, governance, and enabling environment support to GHG emissions reductions, that can be applied across different country contexts.

The ex-post evaluations will be conducted using a combination of desk-based document review, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, stakeholder consultations, and field/site visits as determined relevant.

Position Description

NORC is seeking a total of three Mid or Senior-level Evaluation Specialists (ES) to support evaluation activities under Objective 2 above, in each of the three countries (one ES per country, for Colombia, India and Mexico). The evaluation work for Objective 2 has a broad focus on identifying and assessing the sustainability of a range of climate and development outcomes that may have occurred as a result of USAID sustainable landscapes programming in the three countries.

The Evaluation Specialists supporting Objective 2 will be mid- or senior-level monitoring and evaluation experts who will provide relevant subject expertise and lead in-country data collection to support evaluation data collection and reporting for Objective 2. They will lead desk review and information gathering for Objective 2, contribute to finalization of the evaluation approach and data collection instruments for Objective 2, lead in-country stakeholder consultations and qualitative data collection, and contribute to analysis and evaluation report writing for the respective country report. The Evaluation Specialists will also facilitate field logistics and planning for any site visits or primary data collection as may be needed in-country to accomplish the work under Objective 2.

The Evaluation Specialists for Objective 2 are contributing members of a core evaluation team for the work in each of the three focal countries. They will report to the NORC’s Project Manager and Project Director, and contribute to the development and implementation of all client deliverables under the direction of NORC. This includes providing inputs into a work plan and fieldwork itinerary, conducting a desk-based document review, draft and finalizing key informant interview guides, leading qualitative data collection, and contributing to the analysis and synthesis of preliminary findings and the draft and final reports. The assignment will be for an estimated 30 working days for each of the three Evaluation Specialists. The period of performance will begin in June and conclude by the end of December 2024. Within that timeframe, the bulk of the Evaluation Specialist consultant effort will take place during July – October 2024.

• Lead desk review and information gathering for evaluation objective 2 in the specified country (Colombia, India or Mexico).
• Develop a work plan and field itinerary for the specified country, including a list of individuals to interview, for evaluation objective 2.
• Conduct in-country and remote stakeholder consultations and site visits, as needed, for evaluation objective 2, managing all logistics.
• Collaborate with NORC staff who travel to observe a portion of the consultations.
• Conduct analysis and synthesis of data from in-country consultationsand secondary literature review as necessary to respond evaluation objective 2.
• Contribute writing to the draft and final evaluation reports for the specified country, not to exceed 50 pages, and any supplemental technical annexes, in accordance with an approved template and outline.
• Participate in regularly scheduled meetings throughout the activity lifetime.
• Provided limited support, as may be needed, to evaluation objectives one and three.

Required:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) or higher in environmental policy or planning, public affairs, sustainability, international development, monitoring and evaluation or a closely related field; and at least 10 years relevant experience
• Experience conducting performance evaluations of USAID programs, preferably related to sustainable landscapes and/or natural climate solutions programming
• Subject-matter expertise in one or more of the following: sustainable land use and livelihoods, climate change mitigation and adaptation, payment for ecosystem services, natural resource management, natural climate solutions, or assessing effects of climate, sustainable land use or landscapes-focused policy and programming actions on development impacts.
• Expertise in qualitative data collection design, implementation and analysis
• Experience conducting desk reviews and synthesizing results from multiple sources
• Excellent communication and analytical skills, both written and verbal in English
• Ability and willingness to travel to and conduct stakeholder consultations in Bogota, Colombia; New Delhi, India; or Mexico City, Mexico for up to 2 weeks
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Fluent in Spanish (for Colombia and Mexico)

• Based in Colombia, India, or Mexico
• Familiarity with USAID Sustainable Landscape and Natural Climate Solutions programming is preferred but not required

NORC anticipates approximately 30 days of effort will be required for this role, during June - December 2024. Travel to conduct qualitative data collection in various locations in country for up to two weeks will be required.

• Legally authorized to work in Colombia, India, or Mexico with no restrictions
• Ability to travel to Bogota, Colombia; New Delhi, India; or Mexico City, Mexico for up to 1 week

Base Station

• Remote or in-country, with anticipated travel in Colombia, India, or Mexico

Please submit your CV to EPE@norc.org, copying Ron Wendt (wendt-ron@norc.org) with the subject line “Ex-post Evaluation – Evaluation Expert” and include the name of the country where you would like to be considered in the subject line. All CVs must be received no later than May 27^th, 2024. NORC will review CVs on a rolling basis and contact qualified applicants for additional information no later than May 31^st, 2024.

About BE4D

BE4D is a $53 million, 10-year global activity housed within USAID’s Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnership, and Innovation (IPI). NORC is leading the BE4D Activity consortium, consisting of the Dexis Consulting Group, ECODIT, the International Development Group, the Iris Group, and the Training Resources Group, to promote the use of evidence and data for decision-making. The consortium works in close collaboration with USAID to generate evidence in a systematic manner and support its integration into activity design, implementation, and adaptive management.

About the Organization

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.