Water Specialist, Centers for Advanced Studies (CAS) Evaluation, Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM), Pakistan

  • Posted on 19 January 2018

Job Description

Water Specialist,

Centers for Advanced Studies (CAS) Evaluation, Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM), Pakistan

Project Summary:

In May 2015, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a five-year contract to Management Systems International (MSI) to provide performance management support to USAID-sponsored development programs throughout Pakistan. The Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM) serves as a centralized management support mechanism that provides services in (1) monitoring, (2) evaluation, (3) assessment, and (4) learning support. PERFORM provides data and information to help USAID/Pakistan project managers improve results through better implementation, design, and learning, enabling it to better target its programming and achieve its goals and objectives.

Position Summary:

MSI is seeking a water specialist for a midterm evaluation of the US-Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies project. USAID/Pakistan, in coordination with the Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) is supporting three (3) US-Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies (CAS) in energy and water that are supported by two (2) American universities. In conjunction with their U.S. partners, the centers will develop programs that produce graduates who are prepared to meet the needs of industry, government, and their communities through applied research. Project activities to support these objectives include: exchange programs and joint and applied research with U.S. partner universities, building and equipping laboratories, developing/reforming curricula, improving university governance, and giving scholarships to support graduate and post-graduate training programs.

The midterm evaluation will assess the performance of five (5) of the awards under the CAS project. Results will help improve the implementation of these awards for the remaining project duration. The evaluation will assess the effectiveness of university partnerships, overall project management and sustainability of the results including the role of governance structures.

The evaluation will begin on or around March 10, 2018 and finish around the end of June 2018. The anticipated level of effort for the water specialist is approximately 60-65 days. The team will include a team leader, sector experts, research assistants, data analysts, and other support as necessary.

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

Responsibilities:

  • Review all relevant documents required to understand the evaluation.
  • Conduct a robust secondary analysis of various documents under the team lead’s guidance.
  • Participate in a team planning workshop (TPW) in Islamabad to finalize the evaluation design and develop data collection instruments and data collection and analysis plans.
  • Participate in and, at times, lead field research activities including supervising field researchers to collect high-quality data.
  • Participate in data analysis and report writing.
  • Contribute to a debriefing session with USAID/Pakistan.
  • Undertake other tasks required for the successful completion of the study.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum master’s degree, or equivalent, in a relevant field.
  • At least seven (7) years of experience working in the water sector.
  • Knowledge of the major Pakistani public-sector institutions and/or private firms involved in energy.
  • Experience designing protocols for, and administering/moderating key informant interviews, group interviews, and focus group discussions.
  • Ability to work effectively as a member of a fast moving, dynamic evaluation team operating under strict deadlines to complete the assignment.
  • Experience collecting, managing, synthesizing and analyzing qualitative data to draw out key findings and conclusions and develop draft recommendations.
  • Strong English verbal and written communication skills.
  • Able to produce high quality products and deliver them on time.
  • Experience working with USAID preferred, but not necessary.

*Position will be filled on a rolling basis*

Candidates that have a real or potential conflict of interest in this evaluation will not be considered for this assignment. MSI will require a written statement to this effect before formal engagement on this assignment. Conflict of interest in this context includes, but is not limited to: close and/or family relations with the individuals that are related to the project, financial interest in the implementing organization(s) or grantees, current or previous experience with the project being evaluated or the USAID requesting office, etc.

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

MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.

About the Organization

Company Profile:

MSI, a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, DC metro area international development firm with a 35-year history of delivering development results across the world. Our core expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation (M&E), institutional development, public sector management, governance and anti-corruption. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Jordan, Kenya, Indonesia, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Colombia, and Mexico. As one of the leading companies in our field, MSI has partnered with organizations across all sectors of international development to support clients ranging from large bilateral and multilateral donors such as USAID, the World Bank and the UNDP to national and local governments, NGOs, think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

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