Iraq Short Term Consultant - Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning

Iraq Short Term Consultant - Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning Consultant

About IREX

IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information.

Position Summary

IREX seeks a qualified expert US based consultant in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) to provide support to an education program in Iraq. The MERL consultant will support developing a strategic monitoring and evaluation plan to measure effectiveness in meeting program indicators. IREX seeks a MERL professional with experience relevant to measuring impact in education. The consultant will support the development of monitoring and evaluation tools related to best practices and may support implementation and analysis of data.  The anticipated duration of the consultancy work is for six months with possibility for up to one year from October 15, 2022 through October 15, 2023 with specific Level of Effort (LOE) assigned throughout the duration of the assignment in close collaboration with IREX.

DELIVERABLES

Under the supervision and in consultation with the Iraq program team leaders and associated staff, the Short Term Consultant will provide support designing a strategic monitoring and evaluation plan and activities for IREX Iraq programs working with educators in Iraq.

Specifically, the short term consultant will support the following ongoing tasks:

• Design a strategic monitoring and evaluation plan to measure impact of program impact and effectiveness in line with indicators and milestones including both qualitative and quantitative methods;
• Consult with program staff providing expertise on effective monitoring and evaluation tools to measure progress;
• Support designing monitoring and evaluation tools such as surveys and other collection tools and instruments that will be used throughout the program in line with the monitoring and evaluation plan;
• May support implementing monitoring and evaluation activities in line with the strategic plan developed as needed;
• Support analyzing data with program team related to monitoring and evaluation plan as needed to better understand insights and impact.

Skills and Experience

Required Abilities and Experience

• BA degree in social science, evaluation or another relevant field, advanced degree preferred;
• Demonstrated background and experience in donor-funded programs with some expertise working with USG funded projects;

     Demonstrated experience conducting different types of program evaluation, including participatory, formative, summative, development, impact, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis;

     Exceptional communication and collaboration skills and a proven track record of working effectively with non-technical staff at all levels;

     Demonstrated experience with analyzing and visualizing data;

     Proficiency with data collection, analysis, and visualization software packages – e.g., STATA, SPSS, Dedoose/ Nvivo, Alchemer/Qualtrics, Power BI/ Tableau;

     Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite;

     Professional interpersonal and communication skills in English (written and oral), including a demonstrated ability to promote evaluative thinking, facilitate learning, and convey monitoring, evaluation, research and learning concepts to program staff and in-country partners;

     Experience researching, adapting and training others to design, develop and use practical and robust MEL tools;

     Ability to support program teams with MEL activities that are accessible and integrated with program goals and activities;

     Experience with Gender and Social Inclusion initiatives/inclusive evaluation tools, techniques, and practices preferred.

Preferred Abilities and Experience

• Familiarity with USG MEL frameworks and requirements preferred;
• Experience working with educators cross culturally, preferably in post conflict areas such as Iraq.

Evaluation Criteria

To qualify for this consultancy, candidates must have the qualifications and experience in each of the areas listed under “Required Abilities and Experience,” and be able to provide examples for these.

Candidates who have the required abilities and experience will be more competitive if they can also demonstrate experience and skills listed under “Preferred Abilities and Experience.”

Evaluation Criteria for Eligible Candidates

%

Reference checks

10%

Demonstrated experience and skills listed under preferred abilities and experience

45%

Proposed daily rate and reasonableness within current market rates

45%

Total

100%

Application submission instructions: interested candidates should submit the following for consideration.

1. CV/resume that emphasizes relevant experience for this assignment. Please include the country where you are currently located.
2. Cover letter: Please submit a cover letter briefly outlining general information and relevant experiences, limited to 1 page.
3. Expected daily salary rate.
4. Schedule of availability.

IREX will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for Remote work. The eligible employee is a regular, full-time staff who works from a worksite outside the DC metro area on a more permanent or ongoing basis.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)