Field Researcher, Satpara Development Project (SDP), Performance Evaluation Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM) - National Position - 2015

Field Researcher, Satpara Development Project (SDP),

Performance Evaluation Performance Management Support Contract

(PERFORM), Pakistan

Company Profile:

MSI is an international development firm in the Washington, D.C., metro area with a 30-year history of helping to deliver results across the developing world. In 2008, we became part of Coffey International Limited. Since that time, we have greatly expanded our ability to respond seamlessly and flexibly to client needs with Coffey’s international development offices in the United Kingdom and Australia. We operate in some of the most challenging political and economic climates in the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and South Sudan. MSI currently employs over 800 development experts in the fields of public sector management, monitoring and evaluation, governance, and anticorruption. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Project Summary:

In May 2015, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a five-year contract to Management Systems International (MSI) to provide performance management support to USAID-sponsored development programs throughout Pakistan. The Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM) will serve as a centralized management support mechanism supporting USAID/Pakistan’s mission to increase stability, democracy, and prosperity for the men and women of Pakistan through the implementation of the Mission Strategic Framework (MSF). PERFORM will provide data and information to help project managers improve project results through better implementation and design, as well as services that support the Mission’s learning and adaptive process, enabling it to better target its programming and achieve its goals and objectives. The performance components will include: (1) Monitoring Services; (2) Evaluation Services; (3) Assessment Services; and (4) Learning Support Services.

Please note: Only citizens of Pakistan are eligible for this position.

Position Summary:

MSI seeks a field researcher to join an four-person team to conduct group discussions with groups of farmers for a mid-term evaluation of the Satpara Development Project (SDP). SPD is a multi-year initiative to increase access to irrigation water and enhance on-farm water use efficiency, agro-productivity and agro-marketing facilities within the command area of the Satpara Dam Irrigation Scheme in order to provide income generating and employment opportunities in the Gilgit/Baltistan region. The evaluation will take place half way through the SPD contract and examine the influence of the project’s design, management, and implementation on its ability to achieve anticipated results in a timely manner.

The field researcher will work with the study team in either Islamabad or Skardu for two days, conduct field research for 10 days, and participate in six days of reviewing group discussion notes in Islamabad. The total length of the assignment is 19 days. S(he) will report to the evaluation manager.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in one training in either Islamabad or Skardu that focuses on group interviewing techniques, preparing notes, and data analysis.


• Participate in finalization of the group interview guide and assist in translation of data collection instruments from English to the common language in the project location.


• Participate in field visits and data collection ensuring the quality of data collection, recording and reporting according to MSI and USAID standards.


• Take high quality notes OR lead interviews during the group discussions (roles will be determined after the training).


• Collaborate with the other field researchers and the evaluation team leader in preparing summary notes for each FGD.


• Undertake other relevant tasks required for the successful completion of the assignment.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social sciences or equivalent work experience in related field preferred.


• Minimum five (5) years of experience in qualitative research.


• Experience in note-taking during group interviews or focus group discussions.


• Experience interviewing groups and/or moderating focus group discussions.


• Experience in agriculture.


• Excellent writing skills in English with proficiency to take focus groups notes in one of the local languages of the region (e.g., Balti, Urdu).

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.