Pakistan: Agriculture Sector Expert, Evaluation of Balochistan Agriculture Project (BAP), Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM), Pakistan

Agriculture Sector Expert, Evaluation of Balochistan Agriculture Project (BAP), Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM)

Company Profile: MSI, a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, DC metro area international development firm with a 35-year history of delivering development results across the world. Our core expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation (M&E), institutional development, public sector management, governance and anti-corruption. MSI implements nearly 100 projects in 90 countries around the world such as Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Mexico. As one of the leading companies in our field, MSI has partnered with more than 80 organizations across all sectors of international development with clients ranging from large bilateral and multilateral donors such as USAID, the World Bank and the UNDP to national and local governments, NGOs, think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

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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 is seeking an Agriculture Sector Expert to be part of the team that will conduct the final evaluation of the USAID-funded Balochistan Agriculture Project (BAP). The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) began implementing the project as a pilot in 2005 and has since received two extensions and expanded the project scope from three districts to eight. The project focuses on community development and capacity building; improving agricultural and livestock productivity through interventions in water management and improved crop and livestock technologies and practices; and building sustainable market linkages. The evaluation will focus on the relevance of project interventions to the needs of beneficiaries, the effectiveness of the project in achieving objectives, the prospects for sustainable results, and the project’s contribution to women’s empowerment.

The evaluation will begin on or about July 01, 2016 and finish by the end of September 2016. Anticipated level of effort for the Agriculture Sector Expert is approximately 50-60 days. Besides the Agriculture Sector Expert, the team will include a Team Leader, an expat Evaluation Expert, a Researcher, and Data Analysts. Depending on the scope of field work, a sub-contractor could be engaged to collect survey data, while the experts and Team Leader will conduct most of the qualitative interviews.

Responsibilities:

• Provide agriculture sector expertise in the design, planning, implementation and reporting phases of the evaluation.


• Fully participate in the team planning workshop and in developing data collection instruments, data collection plan, and a data analysis plan.


• Participate in the briefing with USAID staff prior to field work.


• Coordinate with implementing partner staff to organize interviews and meetings for the assigned evaluation area.


• Conduct qualitative interviews with project stakeholders and prepare detailed notes.


• Provide key inputs in qualitative and quantitative data analysis; participate in the coding exercise for qualitative data and work with the evaluation team during the analysis of quantitative data.


• Identify and document findings, conclusions, and recommendations on area(s) assigned in the evaluation.


• Participate in the presentation of evaluation results to USAID and implementing partners.


• Contribute in the preparation of the evaluation report and briefing papers, if required.

Qualifications

• At least a Master’s degree in agricultural economics or another relevant field and 15 years of professional experience or a Ph.D. with at least 10 years of experience.


• Prior experience with USAID projects, particularly in the economic growth, livelihoods and agriculture fields is highly preferred.


• In-depth understanding and prior experience in agricultural value chain development and analysis, developing market linkages for farmers, agribusiness development, use of technology in agriculture, etc.


• Familiarity with USAID and USAID evaluation policy would be an advantage.


• Excellent analytical and personal communication skills.


• Excellent English writing skills.


• Good working knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.


• Ability/willingness to conduct field work in Quetta and northern Balochistan.

Candidates that have a real or potential conflict of interest in this evaluation will not be considered for this assignment. MSI will require a written statement to this effect before formal engagement on this assignment. Conflict of interest in this context includes, but is not limited to: close and/or family relations with the individuals that are related to the project, financial interest in the implementing organization(s) or grantees, current or previous experience with the project being evaluated or the USAID requesting office, etc.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.

PI94338592
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