Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Weidemann Associates, a Crown Agents USA company, is seeking a short-term Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist in support of the USAID/Bangladesh Feed the Future Monitoring and Evaluation System Design and Implementation project located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Our Business
Weidemann Associates, Inc. (WAI), a Crown Agents USA company, is an economic development consulting firm that helps our clients innovate and build markets, strengthen local leaders and knowledge networks, and optimize the effectiveness of international aid. We focus on building market efficiencies that increase incomes and empower the economically disadvantaged around the globe. Crown Agents USA (CA-USA), the U.S. incorporated subsidiary of CA Group, provides direct procurement services, technical assistance, and training to improve health outcomes, establish good governance, and stimulate economic growth across the developing world. Established practice areas include Health, Supply Chain Services, Food Security and M&E. Since its incorporation in the United States in 1998, CA-USA has provided technical assistance services and support to U.S. Government agencies and international organizations such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), and the Gates Foundation.

Weidemann Associates Inc. (WAI) is implementing a multi-year Feed the Future Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system design and implementation activity for USAID/Bangladesh. The M&E system would monitor and report on the performance of USAID/Bangladesh FTF (FTF/Bangladesh) funded activities that alleviate hunger and poverty. The WAI implemented M&E system would ensure the quality and timeliness of FTF performance reporting including providing capacity building assistance to FTF implementing partners in developing Performance Monitoring Plans and conducting Data Quality Assessments. The M&E system may also provide M&E capacity building services to Government of Bangladesh agencies and USAID staff. The WAI implemented M&E system will provide technically proficient and state of the art services in performance monitoring, performance and impact evaluation, knowledge and learning management, and technology based data collection, transfer and analysis.

Role & Responsibilities
The Senior M&E Specialist will support USAID/Bangladesh FTF M&E system implementation and advise and support technical M&E activities by USAID and implementing partners staff. S/he will work under the Supervision of the FTF/Bangladesh M&E system Team Leader, in Dhaka, and WAI's Senior Managing Associate, stationed in the US. Beginning in April, 2013 the position is for 7 months with possibility of extension.

Specific Responsibilities

• Comprehensively review and understand USAID's FTF M&E results framework, performance indicators, evaluation guidance, M&E tools.
• Comprehensively review and understand USAID/Bangladesh's Country Development Cooperation Strategy, Multi-Year Feed the Future Strategy, and related Mission Performance Management Plans.
• Contribute to implementation of the FTF/Bangladesh M&E system following the implementation plan and contributing to plan modifications, when appropriate;
• Assemble and archive information on FTF/Bangladesh funded projects: title, performance period, total estimated cost, implementing partner (IP), contact information, performance indicators, evaluation schedule.
• Review FTF Implementing Partner Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plans (PMEP) as assigned. Check plans for Results Framework/Theory of Change causality, relevance of performance indicators, target establishment, data sources, etc. Determine whether the PMEP is a useful performance management tool and make recommendations for revisions where appropriate.
• -Ensure that IP performance indicators align with FTF/Bangladesh RF and PMP.
• Identify and assess primary and secondary data sources that could be useful in FTF/Bangladesh performance monitoring or performance or impact evaluations.
• Assess IP capacity to perform Data Quality Assessments (DQA) for FTF/Bangladesh performance indicators. Design IP capacity building interventions where appropriate to address DQA shortfalls. Contribute to DQAs as needed.
• Coordinate and ensure, to the extent possible, quality and timely FTF/Bangladesh IP M&E reporting.
• Conduct internal capacity building activities with Mission FTF/Bangladesh M&E system staff.
• Design and implement IP M&E training that addresses IP FTF M&E staff capacity shortfalls.
• Conduct joint DQAs with IP staff structured so that ongoing mentoring or on the job training is ensured along with data quality.
• Coordinate impact evaluations implemented by third parties. When necessary participate in the design and implementation of impact evaluation baseline, mid-term and end-point surveys and analysis.
• Integrate the FTF/Bangladesh M&E system with other Bangladesh based hunger and poverty alleviation monitoring systems.
• Develop and implement a Knowledge, Learning and Sharing strategy to disseminate FTF/Bangladesh performance data and information to USAID, USG, Government of Bangladesh, and other stakeholders. Ensure information is packaged so that it is user friendly.
• Identify innovated information and communication technology based approaches to generating and collecting performance indicator or evaluation data and information.
• Assess GOB agency M&E capacity and design and implement capacity building strategies that include on line learning, class room training, and on the job training.

Qualifications

• Knowledge, skills and experience with standard M&E tools such as Results Frameworks, Theory of Change, Logical Frameworks, causal pathways, performance indicators, targets, PMP and PMEPs.
• Experience with USAID's standard M&E tools and requirements an added advantage.
• Demonstrated work history of reporting to international donors, especially USAID; familiarity with USAID's new Evaluation Policy and FTF M&E guidance an added advantage.
• Expertise in performance evaluation and impact evaluation Scope of Work development including background, methodology description, tasks, deliverables, timing and budgeting.
• Demonstrated experience in knowledge management would be an added advantage.
• Training skills, including material development, training, learning facilitation, mentoring and coaching.
• Experience working with USAID, developing country government and civil society organizations, including M&E or data capacity building.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required. Course study in one of the following areas preferred: Agricultural Economics; Health; Nutrition; Statistics; Monitoring & Evaluation.
• Master's degree in relevant area preferred.
• Minimum seven years of experience in international development.
• Minimum of five years working with agriculture or health/nutrition monitoring and evaluation in a developing country.
• Advanced and demonstrable English reading, writing and verbal communication.
• High-level skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, CSPro or SPSS.
• Experience working in Bangladesh or the region a plus.
• Must be willing to live and work in Bangladesh; must be able to travel in Bangladesh and internationally.

Application Process 
To apply to this position, please email your CV to careers@crownagents.com. Include your name, along with the title of the position you are applying for, in the subject line. Visit our website at www.crownagentsusa.com for more information about our company. No phone calls, faxes or walk-ins please. Crown Agents USA, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

Crown Agents USA will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualified disabilities in accordance with the ADA. If you require a reasonable accommodation for our application process, please contact our Recruiting department at ADArequests@crownagents.com. Requests will be kept confidential and shared strictly on a need-to-know basis only.