Evaluation Team Leader for Impact and Performance Evaluation Project in Uganda

  • Senior-level, Part-time staff position
  • Posted on 20 August 2015

Job Description

Background

NORC at the University of Chicago is one of the largest and most highly respected social research organizations pursuing high quality social science research that serves the public interest both in the United States and internationally. Since its founding in 1941, NORC has been an industry leader with a distinguished record in the design, development, and implementation of survey and other data collection methodologies, applying advanced statistical and other analytical techniques to interpret social science data. NORC’s core competencies include designing and conducting rigorous impact evaluations of development projects; developing survey instruments; conducting analytic research; statistical sampling; data preparation, collection, cleaning and management; and developing survey-associated information technology.

NORC is currently seeking an M&E specialist to bid as an Evaluation Team Leader on an impact and performance evaluation proposal for USAID’s Literacy Achievement and Reading Program in Uganda. The work will be at least 60-70% time over a multi-year period, with 30% of the LOE spent in Uganda, split between at least two trips a year, at competitive rates.

The Literacy Achievement and Retention Program is designed to “improve key aspects of reading skills in both English and three local languages in the early primary grades (Result 1); and improve the retention of learners in the primary grades (result 2).” The project seeks to improve retention of learners in the primary grades through interventions to reduce school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) in schools. If awarded the contract, NORC will conduct a rigorous impact evaluation, using experimental and/or quasi-experimental designs, and a performance evaluation of the project. The impact evaluation will include a focus on the impact of reducing school-related gender-based violence on student retention and literacy test scores.

Position Summary

The Evaluation Team Leader will play a key leadership role in NORC’s evaluation team, providing operational and administrative oversight for the project, and ensuring that all contractual obligations are being met in a timely manner. S/he will work with the Evaluation Specialist to coordinate NORC’s evaluation team and ensure that technical activities are aligned with project objectives and that timelines are designed to meet contractual deadlines. S/he will also lead the coordination between the implementer, evaluator, and the Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sport. S/he will supervise the rollout of the evaluation, and lead the coordination between the implementing partner and the Ugandan government and school system. The Team Leader will also review all deliverables for content and quality prior to submission to the client. S/he will serve as the point of contact with USAID for all contractual and administrative matters, and will also manage the overall budget and monitor consultants and subcontractors to ensure efficient implementation of the contract.

Required Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree in education, administration, management or related field
  • A minimum of eight years of relevant activity management and supervisory experience with demonstrated professional accomplishments; excellent past performance references; strong knowledge of international donor policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation.
  • Demonstrated success in complex evaluation projects as a Team Leader.
  • Excellent managerial and operational experience, preferably in managing evaluation projects involving coordination with multiple IPs or institutions in Uganda or the region.
  • Excellent representational and communication skills, written and oral proficiency in English
  • A high level of technical and analytical skills relevant to this activity.
  • Significant experience managing and mitigating fraud and corruption issues preferred
  • Experience with School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) projects a plus.
  • Experience in education projects focusing on literacy.
  • Experience with USAID, a plus.

About the Organization

General Background

NORC at the University of Chicago conducts high quality social science research in the public interest. NORC’s international work focuses on program and impact evaluation, surveys, and technical assistance. NORC has worked in more than 30 countries for a wide range of clients including the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and Millennium Challenge Accounts, the German Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Agencia Brasileira de Cooperacao, Banco de España, Institut Für Demoskopie Allensbach, New Zealand Immigration Service, Statistics Canada, the Supreme Education Council of Qatar and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information, please visit www.norc.org.

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