Team Leader, IRiS Midterm Evaluation

Social Impact (SI) is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Background:

SI is conducting a process evaluation for USAID/Somalia’s Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) Activity. The IRiS activity is focused on efforts to support transformational change in Somalia by strengthening key market systems aimed at creating long-lasting economic opportunities for marginalized populations. The goal of IRiS is ”to accelerate economic development for marginalized groups in the targeted areas of Somalia by increasing individual, household, business, community, and system-wide resilience through rural and urban livelihood diversification and promoting inclusive economic market systems to combat real and perceived grievances that contribute to violent extremism and conflict”. Thus, IRiS is focused on integrating people displaced by drought and marginalized communities into local economies and helping those economies grow. Under the IRiS activity, USAID promotes climate-smart agriculture practices for Somalia’s largely agro-pastoralist population and supports new livelihood opportunities through affordable training and access to financial services. SI will conduct a mid-term evaluation to measure the progress against the activity’s objectives.

Purpose:

SI is seeking an experienced Team Leader (TL) with significant experience in market systems, preferably in Somalia or similar contexts, for a process evaluation of IRiS. The TL will define the scope, objectives, and evaluation questions, and develop evaluation tools tailored to assess market systems, economic growth, and value chains. They will lead the creation of a robust evaluation framework integrating both quantitative and qualitative methods, ensuring comprehensive exploration of key evaluation inquiries within these targeted areas.

Specific Tasks:

The consultant will undertake the following specific tasks:

• Oversee the planning and design of the process evaluation. This includes defining the scope of the evaluation, setting objectives, developing evaluation questions, and designing the evaluation methodology.
• Undertake desk review by gathering and analyzing relevant documents, reports, and data aligned with the Theory of Change for IRiS, ensuring a thorough understanding of its context and implementation.
• Develop tools to rigorously assess and measure both the processes and outcomes of market systems, economic growth, and value chains in the IRiS activity.
• Ensure the overall design quality and integrity of the evaluation process and outputs. This includes adhering to evaluation standards and guidelines, maintaining objectivity and impartiality, and addressing any potential biases or conflicts of interest.
• Liaise regularly with ELMI Evaluation Director and SI HQ in the evaluation design.

Deliverables:

The consultant will produce the following deliverables and submit them to the ELMI Evaluation Director/Deputy COP:

• Inception report which defines the scope, objectives, evaluation questions, and evaluation methodology.
• Desk review analyzing relevant documents and reviewing the Theory of Change and its alignment with activity outcomes and progress.
• The midterm evaluation tools
• Comprehensive report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Period of Performance:

The anticipated period of performance is on or about September 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.

Travel to Mogadishu is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a master’s degree, or equivalent, in economics, agriculture, sociology, development studies or a related field.
• Over 12 years of progressively responsible professional experience in market systems, economic growth, value chains evaluations in development programs.
• Understanding and knowledge of market systems, value chains, and economic growth issues in East Africa, especially Somalia.
• Experience conducting evaluations with USAID, UN Agencies, or multilateral organizations.
• At least 5 previous assignments as Team Leader, preferred.
• Prior experience evaluating economic growth programs and market systems required.
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis and collection.
• Excellent knowledge of Stata or other similar statistical analysis software.
• Knowledge and previous evaluation experience in Somalia, Kenya, or other similar East African countries strongly desired and experience working USAID Economic Growth portfolio will be an added advantage.
• Proven strong leadership and team-work skills and ability to deliver results within specified and often changing timeframes.

Level of Effort:

The level of effort for this assignment is approximately 40-50 days.

Reporting:

The Consultant will report to ELMI Evaluation Director and ELMI DCOP.

Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com.

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.