Position Description

EnCompass LLC is partnership with Management Systems International (MSI) is implementing the four-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Upoma Activity in Bangladesh, providing a range of analytical and advisory services in support of USAID’s design, performance monitoring, evaluation, and operational learning and adapting efforts.

During the contract, we anticipate conducting approximately 15 evaluations, studies, and assessments annually across a range of sectors that USAID/Bangladesh supports. We also anticipate providing on-demand analytical support on a variety of topics to USAID/Bangladesh’s Economic Growth Office.

In support of the work noted above, we anticipate needing senior level consultants for short- and long-term assignments with deep expertise in the economic growth sector in Bangladesh, including in development economics, agriculture, food security, nutrition, market systems, private sector engagement, environment, climate change, international trade, resource economics, macroeconomics, microeconomics, and the integration of gender equality and social inclusion into economic growth work.

The consultancies will likely be based in Dhaka and may involve travel throughout the country for primary data collection.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

• Conduct and support a wide range of research studies, evaluations, assessments, as well as monitoring learning efforts to support the USAID/Bangladesh Economic Growth Office. Support could include: facilitating program design conversations; supporting and/or leading evaluations; leading research initiatives such as rapid studies, desk reviews, and other qualitative/quantitative analytical work; supporting data quality assessment exercises for the portfolio; and other MEL tasks as needed.
• For evaluation and research efforts in the economic growth sector: lead scoping and design/methodology, data collection and analysis, making strategic recommendations, reporting and presentation, and dissemination and learning events.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance to ensure that research, evaluation, and other MEL products and services under this contract for the USAID/Bangladesh Economic Growth portfolio are of high quality, timely, useful, aligned to USAID guidance, and within budget.
• Conduct relevant training/workshops for Mission staff, implementing partners and other stakeholders.

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• PhD in a field related to Economic Growth (such as development economics, agricultural economics, macroeconomics, microeconomics, agriculture, food security, nutrition, market systems, private sector engagement, environment, climate change, behavioral economics, trade and finance, energy, etc.)
• Non-PhD candidates must have significant analytical experience in one or more of the areas of economic growth noted above.

Experience and Skills

Required:

• Must have at least 8 years of work experience leading high-quality evaluations and/or research (applied or academic) in the economic growth sector in Bangladesh.
• Superior written and oral communication and presentation skills in English. Experience communicating evidence effectively for practitioner audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Preferred:

• Previous experience leading MEL efforts in the economic growth sector especially in the areas of agriculture and natural resources management, for USAID/Bangladesh or other Donor organizations.
• Publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Understanding of USAID MEL and CLA regulations, policies, and guidance.
• Experience identifying and using diverse evidence sources to encourage robust decision making.