Assistant Team Leader, Doniya Taabolo Impact Evaluation – USAID Mali Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform

Social Impact, Inc. (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.

Project Objective

On November 10, 2022, USAID/Mali awarded the five-year Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform contract to SI. The purpose of the MEL Platform is to provide technical and advisory services to design and carry out various monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities for USAID/Mali. This contract has three major components: 1) USAID/Mali monitoring support through a Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) mechanism; 2) Evaluation Services and Surveys; and 3) Collaborating, Learning, and Adaptive Management and Communication Services.

The Doniya Taabolo (DT) Activity is a five-year Education Program under cooperative agreement, which will be implemented by EDC (Education Development Center) in the Regions of San, Segou, Diola, Bougouni, Sikasso, Koutiala, Koulikoro, and Bamako district (Mali). Doniya Taabolo will use the momentum of achievement in Mali to finish the drive to quality primary education for all. Building on proven methods and learning from the lessons of crisis implementation, the evaluation will refine and systematize an approach to foundational skills that is sustainable, adaptable, resilient, and expandable. The USAID Mali Mission requires the services of the Mali MEL Platform to conduct a baseline impact evaluation of the Doniya Taabolo Activity. The purpose of the baseline is to identify the comparison groups or areas and measure baseline indicators prior to project intervention.

Position Description

SI is seeking an Assistant Team Leader (ATL) to lead the Impact Evaluation of the Doniya Taabolo Activity. This position requires field visits within Mali. International candidates who meet the specified qualifications are encouraged to apply. The tentative period of performance (POP) for this position is February – October 2024 and the expected level of effort (LOE) is 60 days.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the MEL Platform Chief of Party (COP) in Mali, the Assistant Team Leader will work directly with the evaluation Team Leader (TL) at the field level to design and implement the evaluation. The Assistant Team Leader will also work with the evaluation Project Director (PD)at SI-HQ and the Project Manager at the SI Mali MEL Platform in Bamako. The Assistant Team Leader will contribute to the overall management of the baseline evaluation, including the timely production of high-quality deliverables in conformity with the Score of Work (SOW). Responsibilities include:

• Provide sector-specific expertise in education with a focus on early grade math and evaluation approaches and methods in the design and implementation phases.
• Contribute to the development of the desk review, the evaluation design including methodology, instruments, work plans, and the design report.
• Support the TL in performing desk review and identifying additional information required for analysis.
• Assist the evaluation team members locally hired to conduct baseline data collection for the evaluation.
• Facilitate the work of the local data collection firm mobilized to support data collection including in hard-to-reach areas.
• Oversee and support training of local data collection firm.
• Support the TL in the technical review of the local data collection firm’s processes for cleaning qualitative and quantitative data.
• Assist the TL in the preparation and presentation of the impact evaluation design and key findings from the baseline to USAID together with the evaluation team.
• Write selected sections of the draft baseline evaluation report with support from the team, taking into consideration feedback from USAID & MELP after presentations and workshops.
• Provide written responses to USAID comments on the draft report and support production of the final baseline report.
• Work collaboratively with team members throughout design, implementation, analysis, and report writing to complement each other’s areas of expertise.

Qualifications

• An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in education or statistics with a focus on early grade math, reading, writing, social science, or and/or related areas.
• Significant knowledge of the education system in Mali specifically in-service teacher training and professional development, pedagogical practices, and classroom management.
• Experience ensuring the effective use of teaching and learning materials.
• Familiarity with the government sector and in-depth knowledge of education system in Mali.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal skills.
• Prior experience with USAID programs, objectives, and reporting preferred.
• Experience in designing and implementing evaluations, baseline in education sectors, the government sector and in conducting qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.
• Experience in conducting evaluations in western Africa (Mali preferred) and knowledge of a local language is preferred.
• Proficiency level in French and knowledge of a local language required.
• Professional level in English is preferred.

The application deadline is January 31, 2024.

Please apply directly on SI’s Careers page here: https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=SOCIIMPA2&cws=39&rid=4769

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 regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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