Research and Evaluation Advisor, USAID Upoma Project, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Job Description

Project Summary:

The USAID Upoma Project will be a central Mission-wide platform that provides a range of analytical and advisory services in support of the Mission’s design, performance monitoring, evaluation, and operational learning and adapting efforts. The activity will play a significant role in achieving the successful implementation of the Mission’s: 1) Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2020 - 2025) 2) Performance Management Plan (PMP), and 3) the Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting agenda.

**Please note: Only citizens of Bangladesh are eligible for this position**

Position Summary:

The Evaluation and Research Advisor will lead the design and implementation of research, evaluations, assessments, and studies for USAID/ Bangladesh. This position will contribute as a leadership role in design, data collection, reporting, and dissemination, overseeing research/evaluation/assessment/study teams including international and local consultants as well as enumerators and survey companies or other vendors to ensure rigorous, high-quality, and useful evidence. The Evaluation and Research Advisor will lead evaluations and conducting applied research utilizing technical sector expertise in the areas of democracy, human rights, and governance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning and scheduling of evaluations/studies/assessments including leading planning sessions with USAID technical office to determine evaluation need and timing. 
• Establish methodological processes and standards compliant with USAID Evaluation Policy for staff to adhere to when implementing evaluations.  
• Serve as a member of the Upoma Team, contributing to work planning, reporting, and strategic integration of evidence across the entire Upoma value-creation continuum. 
• Lead client kick-off and early research/evaluation/study/assessment design activities. 
• Contribute to recruitment of research/evaluation/study/assessment teams and resource allocation (technical consultants) for execution of evaluation/study/assessment tasks. 
• Oversee training and mentoring of research/evaluation/study/assessment team consultants and vendors regarding EnCompass research and evaluation good practices. 
• Oversee day-to-day management of concurrent active research/evaluations/studies/assessments, including coordination and oversight of consultants and vendors.
• Contribute actively to Upoma project efforts to make use of evidence for decision making, through findings validation sessions, post-evaluation action planning, and Upoma knowledge management and learning advocacy. 
• Provide quality assurance throughout the research/evaluation/study/assessment process, including design, data collection tools and processes, data analysis, reporting, dissemination, and learning. 
• Ensure evaluations and studies will be implemented within agreed upon timeframes and budget. 
• During a research/evaluation/study/assessment, regularly communicate updates to the client and address any issues that arise. 

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in the social sciences such as anthropology, political science, governance, development studies, economics, statistics, public policy, research methods, program assessment, evaluation/measurement or another relevant field is required.
• Doctorate Degree in the subjects listed above preferred.
• A certificate in evaluation is preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience, with increasing responsibility designing, conducting, and managing research/evaluations/studies/assessments of complex international development projects is required.
• Demonstrated track record of published articles related to applied research including evaluations/studies/assessments is preferred.
• Demonstrated technical sector expertise in the areas of democracy, human rights, and governance is required.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative sampling and data analysis, including use of analysis software is required. 
• Experience in management and supervision of data collection teams and ensuring data quality is required.  
• Strong interpersonal and oral communications and presentation skills are required. 
• Strong teamwork, interpersonal, communication, and presentation/facilitation skills is required.  
• Demonstrated ability to write strong and concise evaluation reports in English and strong spoken English skills are required.
• Familiarity with USAID guidance and policy in evaluation is preferred, as well as demonstrated understanding of the strategic role that Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) platforms play in Mission programmatic oversight. 
• Ability to travel within Bangladesh is required

MSI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities and those impacted by our work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.

MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.

Reasonable Accommodations:

MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech’s Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

About the Organization

Company Profile:

Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.