Senior Specialists - Central Asia Evaluations C5+1 Youth Council + Work Where You Are

Job Description

Background 

The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), is procuring two mixed-methods evaluations:  

1. The C5+1 Youth Council, focused on leadership, skills, entrepreneurship, and cross-border connectivity, and  
2. Work Where You Are, focused on local employment pathways.  

Both evaluations require document review, surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), case studies, and network mapping. Monthly progress briefings are required, with a draft design due at 5 weeks, 10–12 weeks of data collection, and 10–12 weeks of analysis and drafting.

We will hire four Senior Specialists from this posting to staff: 

• YC Subject Matter Expert (SME): Regional Economic Growth & Business Networks 
• YC Technical Expert: Education/Entrepreneurship/Regional Integration 
• WWYA SME: English Language Teaching and Local Business Development (Tourism) 
• WWYA Technical Expert: Education/Business Development/Migration

These roles align with the request for proposal’s (RFP’s) minimum expert requirements per evaluation. CVs are required for each expert role. Selection is contingent upon SoCha’s successful award of the contract.  

Scope of Work

All Senior Specialists will contribute to the Evaluation Design Report, align instruments to design, support monthly briefings, and co-draft report sections on findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Responsibilities include 

• Produce concise sector and program briefs that orient the evaluation design (e.g., YC connectivity and entrepreneurship ecosystems; WWYA English-for-employability and tourism pathways). 
• Translate program models into rigorous, feasible evaluation plans, including evaluation questions, outcomes frameworks, and sampling strategies. 
• Co-develop mixed-methods instruments (surveys, KIIs, FGDs) and embed network-mapping items so connectivity can be analyzed credibly. 
• Define network-mapping priorities and coordinate with the Social Network Analysis Specialist to deliver actionable visuals and metrics. 
• Shape employer outreach and verification options with business associations and firms to test job linkages and market relevance. 
• Participate in and/or lead select KIIs and FGDs. 
• Identify and scope case studies that surface leadership and skills development, entrepreneurship intent, employment pathways and retention barriers, and 
•  cross-border ties (including to U.S. businesses). 
• Meet the approvals and delivery timelines: tools approved before fieldwork, monthly progress briefings, 10–12 weeks of data collection, and 10–12 weeks of analysis and drafting. 
• Support data quality and protection: manage respondent roster integrity, ensure disaggregation, and maintain clear and organized analysis files. 
• Co-lead analysis and reporting, integrating qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, and network-mapping into clear findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 
• Collaborate closely with the Team Lead, Research & Analysis duo, and the implementing partner to keep delivery lean, practical, and on schedule. 

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Required (All Applicants):

• Demonstrated expertise aligned to your program and track: 
• YC SME: regional economic growth, business networks, entrepreneurship in Central Asia. 
• YC Technical: evaluation of education/entrepreneurship or regional integration programs in Central Asia. 
• WWYA SME: ELT for employability and/or tourism workforce development in Central Asia. 
• WWYA Technical: evaluation of education, business development, employability, or migration programs. 
• Mixed-methods evaluation experience, with readiness to contribute to design matrices, sampling, instrument development, and lead limited data collection (select KIIs and FGDs). 
• Strong English writing and briefing skills for U.S. Government audiences. 
• Comfort working to the RFP’s approvals and schedule gates (five-week design, tool approval before fieldwork, monthly briefs, 10–12 weeks fieldwork and analysis windows). 

Preferred:  

• Familiarity with network mapping/SNA concepts and how to operationalize them in instruments and reporting. 
• Central Asia experience and relationships with relevant institutions, employers, or associations. 
• Russian and/or a Central Asian language. 
• Prior work with U.S. Embassy/Department of State or similar donor evaluations. 
  

Contract details

• Period of performance: Within the overall project period, not to exceed 12 months from contract start. 
• LOE (indicative): 20–35 days per Senior Specialist, depending on role and final work plan. 
• Location: Remote with preference for consultants based in Central Asia region. Candidates outside the region are eligible if available for trips to Bishkek and other Central Asia locations during fieldwork. 
• Team: You will collaborate with a Team Lead Evaluator, a Kyrgyzstan-based research duo, and a cross-cutting SNA specialist. 

How to apply

To submit your application, kindly provide your CV using the form provided below. 

To apply before 5 September 2025. 

About the Organization

About SoCha 

SoCha is a leading Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) firm specializing in providing high-quality independent monitoring and evaluation services in development and humanitarian settings. We have successfully implemented multi-year MEL projects and independent evaluations across Africa and Asia for major international donors, using innovative data collection approaches, rigorous oversight, and operational efficiency to ensure program success.