Deputy Team Leader/Sector Specialist, Baseline study for USAID At Social Impact

Social Impact (SI) is a Washington, DC-area international development management consulting firm. SI’s mission is to improve the effectiveness of international development programs in improving people’s lives. We provide a full range of management consulting, technical assistance, and training services to strengthen international development programs, organizations, and policies. We provide services globally in the areas of monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, project and program design, organizational capacity building, and gender and social analysis. SI services cross-cut all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. SI’s clients include US government agencies such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the US Department of State, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and non-profits.

Project Objectives:

In May 2017, USAID awarded SI the Haiti Evaluation Survey Services (ESS) contract to conduct baseline, mid-term, and final evaluations for a wide range of projects currently being implemented throughout the country, with more emphasis around USAID’s development corridors of Port-au-Prince, Saint Marc, and Cap-Haitian. The contract also includes sector assessments to inform the Mission in designing its new Strategic Framework (2018-2020).

Haiti ESS is conducting a baseline study to serve as a reference point to assess the performance of USAID/Haiti’s four-year ATTAIN activity at end-line. The baseline study will also guide the implementation of the ATTAIN activity as it will provide a benchmark that will be used to help improve problem diagnosis, alert stakeholders to changes in underlying assumptions, uncover potential weaknesses in program implementation, and provide a firm foundation for monitoring and evaluation.

Position Description:

Haiti ESS is seeking a Haitian Deputy Team Leader (DTL)/ Sector Specialist consultant to support all technical and management aspects of the ATTAIN baseline study. The Sector Specialist will be expected to work closely with a Team Leader, the local data collection firm, Haiti ESS and SI headquarters project management teams to ensure quality and timely deliverables.

The evaluation level of effort is approximately 8 – 12 weeks, inclusive of four to five consecutive weeks of data collection and analysis in Haiti.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the team leader on strategic and operational planning, to implement approved Evaluation Design, and ensure compliance with all USAID contractual reporting and financial requirements for the ATTAIN baseline study.
• Participate in the design of the data collection tools, particularly ensuring cultural and sectoral appropriateness and ensure that quality data are collected and reported;
• Participate in the data collection and analysis, ensuring data quality.
• Support writing all deliverables associated with the evaluation including, but not limited, to the evaluation design (including tools) and the draft and final reports in conformity with SI and USAID regulations, and the Scope of Work.
• Manage all deadlines and record maintenance—including, but not limited to, collecting, and managing quantitative data and producing notes for all qualitative data collection events for delivery to USAID.
• Provide local context and ensure achievement of deliverables.
• Assist Haiti ESS in maintaining good working relationships with USAID, Government of Haiti counterparts, local organizations, and other program partners.
• Collaborate with the SI headquarters and Haiti ESS staff with strategic and operational planning to implement the approved evaluation design.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a master’s degree in Economics or other relevant discipline.
• Documented track record of 7 years’ experience in coordinating large scale survey leading and/or supporting evaluations, baseline studies and organizational skills necessary to successfully manage and coordinate a technical team.
• Expertise in quantitative methodology to collect the required data in a timely manner. Experience in qualitative methodologies (interviews, focus group discussions, etc.) is highly desirable.
• Strong background in Small business development and market research data collection and analysis.
• Proven leadership and organizational skills to successfully support the team leader.
• Ability to understand financial mechanisms and infrastructure for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) and know how to foster relationships with diverse local counterparts, including government representatives, MSME, donors, and donor-funded implementers.
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills with fluent spoken, written, and reading abilities in English and French are required. Haitian Creole is highly desirable.
• Work experience with USAID is an asset.
• Sound knowledge of Haitian social, economic, and political dynamics.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Haiti to attend to contract implementation tasks.