IBTCI Job Vacancy For Senior Research & Evaluation Advisor

IBTCI currently manages the USAID-funded Evidence for Development (E4D) Project in Ghana. The project promotes evidence-based decision making, supports a regional effort to expand the use of family planning services, and increases the accessibility of high-quality HIV services for most-at-risk populations to decrease the burden of disease. Project objectives are to address critical gaps in research and evidence for USAID’s family planning and HIV/AIDS activities in West Africa by increasing the availability of evidence on health interventions to improve resource allocation, policy advocacy, and program planning. Increase the technical and management capacity of indigenous civil society organizations, institutions, and networks to foster regional and local production of high-quality evaluations and operations research. Disseminate the evaluations and operations research findings to key stakeholders using innovative and user-friendly materials.

Expected Results:

• Local and regional institutions will be better able to produce high-quality evaluations and operations research and to translate the findings into user-friendly, tech-savvy materials.
• Additional evidence on health programming will be available, published, and used.
• Policy development and the allocation of resources in West Africa will be improved.
• Best and promising practices in health will be documented.

Position Summary:

IBTCI is seeking a Senior Research & Evaluation (R&E) Advisor for its E4D project who will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of all the operations research and evaluations under the E4D project. The R&E Advisor will also serve as lead technical advisor for the project and will be responsible for ensuring the quality of all E4D task order technical deliverables related to R&E. Must be open to traveling at least 25% of the time.

Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Oversee all mid-term and final evaluations, baseline assessments and operations research functions of the project.
• Work closely with the COR and other USAID technical staff to develop methodologies necessary to meet the deliverables required in the SOWs for evaluation tasks.
• Serve as the lead analyst for interpreting the results of surveys and other field data.
• Responsible for preparing an evaluation and research reports.
• Work collaboratively with the Capacity Building Advisor to strengthen capacity building of project partners in evaluation and research.
• Develop data analysis plan and conduct qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis as required.
• Coordinate field implementation of research and evaluation activities including training of data collectors.
• Supervise the development of Desk Reviews of documents regarding research activities and inception reports.
• Develop evaluation design, methodology, sampling strategy and data collections strategy and methodology as well as other design elements.
• Provide timely updates to COP as requested.
• Generate quarterly update results and accomplishments per the E4D monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Develop and submit monthly achievements; lessons learned and challenges on E4D’s Intermediary Result #1.
• Supervise the development of training materials in Research and Evaluation and conduct training in Research, Evaluation and data management/analysis.
• Supervise the Research and Evaluation Team.
• Ensure timely completion and submissions of all deliverables.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Previous experience with USAID-funded projects and knowledge of USAID’s policies, standards, guidance and protocols highly desired.
• Experience using SPSS, STATA and/or other analytical software packages, including qualitative analytical software packages such as NVIVO or Atlas.ti.
• Ability to effectively work in teams and embrace participatory approaches.

Minimum Requirements:

• At least ten years of experience in designing and implementing operations and research projects in Africa.
• Experience leading teams for evaluations/research studies.
• Prior evaluation experience in West Africa required.
• Strong background in field research in health programming.
• Previous experience in qualitative and quantitative methods and analysis required.
• Experience designing and conducting operational research studies.
• Strong skills in designing mid-term and final evaluations of international health development projects including identifying appropriate evaluation questions, designing appropriate methods, data analysis, synthesis, interpretations, report writing, and presentation.
• Demonstrated skills in research design, research methods, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and management, skills in developing and submitting IRB applications.
• Excellent organizational, writing, communication and negotiation skills required.
• Experience managing analysis, synthesis, documentation, and dissemination of lessons for a range of stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to travel at least 25% of the time.
• Oral and written fluency in both English and French required.

Education: Master’s degree in Evaluation, Epidemiology, Public Health or related field required. Ph.D. preferred.

Working Environment: Work is typically performed in an office environment as well as fieldwork.

Physical Requirements: This is mostly a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects to 20 lbs.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position may have supervisory responsibilities.