STATEMENT OF WORK

Location: Remote, with possibility of short-term travel to Juba, South Sudan

Duration: December 2024 – April 2025

Level Of Effort: TBD

Background:

USAID/South Sudan has tasked the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Support Activity (MELS) with conducting a mid-term performance evaluation of the USAID Youth Empowerment Activity (YEA) in South Sudan. MELS serves as a platform for the USAID/South Sudan’s geographic information system (GIS) and mapping capabilities to inform decision-making, enhance collaborative learning and adaptation across the Mission, and provide general support for Mission planning, third-party monitoring (TPM), evaluations, reporting, research, assessments, and special studies. YEA aims to empower South Sudanese youth by enhancing their educational, economic, and social opportunities. The evaluation seeks to assess the implementation of the YEA activity, identify deviations, and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving performance and informing future activity designs.

Purpose of the Position:

The Team Lead will oversee the YEA’s mid-term performance evaluation and ensure it is conducted rigorously, objectively, and timely. The Team Lead will coordinate with local Subject Matter Experts and report to the Chief of Party.

Key Responsibilities:

Evaluation Design and Planning:

• Develop a detailed evaluation plan, including methodology, data collection tools, and timeline.
• Ensure alignment with USAID evaluation standards and objectives.

Team Management:

• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary evaluation team.
• Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members, ensuring efficient and effective execution of the evaluation plan.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Coordinate with USAID/South Sudan, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate stakeholder communication and collaboration to ensure comprehensive data collection and analysis.

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Oversee qualitative and quantitative data collection, ensuring data integrity and reliability.
• Analyze data to assess the implementation and outcomes of the YEA.

Reporting and Recommendations

• Prepare a comprehensive evaluation report, including findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Present findings to USAID/South Sudan and other stakeholders, highlighting evidence-based recommendations for program adjustments and future designs.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure the evaluation process and deliverables meet USAID quality standards and guidelines.
• Address any challenges or issues that arise during the evaluation process.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in social sciences, education, international development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in program evaluation, preferably in youth empowerment or education programs.
• Proven experience leading evaluation teams and managing complex evaluations.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with USAID evaluation policies and procedures is highly desirable.
• Experience working in South Sudan or similar contexts.