CHIEF OF PARTY USAID Uganda Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Strategic Initiative (MEL – SI) IDIQ 98 views0 applications

Background

NORC at the University of Chicago is one of the largest and most highly respected social research organizations pursuing high quality social science research both in the U.S. and internationally. NORC is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated RFTOP under USAID Uganda’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Strategic Information (MEL-SI) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The COP will work full-time over a 5-year period based in Kampala, Uganda. Uganda MEL-SI aims to provide support services to USAID/Uganda’s technical offices and implementing partners. Implemented via Task Orders, these services will strengthen performance management by generating a technical evidence base to guide the Mission’s programming. Specifically the MEL-SI IDIQ contract will support the Mission’s activities through the following objective: provide technical support to the Mission and Implementing Partners to advance the objectives of the CDCS through strengthening evidence-based programming. Ugandan citizens are strongly encouraged to apply. This full-time position is contingent on funding.

Responsibilities

The COP will provide guidance, leadership, and oversight for a team of MEL professionals in Uganda. The COP will be the primary liaison with USAID Uganda and will be the authority on the implementation of the contract. The COP will provide technical oversight on all types of MEL deliverables and also manage personnel, a multi-million-dollar budget, and the safety and security of staff. The ideal candidate would be knowledgeable on both qualitative and quantitative data and methods and have strong conflict prevention and management skills. The COP must be an inclusive leader, who can navigate change with flexibility and emotional resilience.

Technical Oversight

• Provide operational and technical oversight to all MEL project planning, implementation, and evaluation activities, ensuring that the activity tasks are completed, and the objectives and contractual requirements of the activity are successfully met.
• Manage technical assistance and training activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with and represent the project to USAID, implementing partners, host country officials, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and quality control on performance and impact evaluations, sector assessments, baseline assessment, evaluation design and methodology, research and analysis, performance monitoring and evaluation capacity building, and collaborating, learning, and adapting.
• Work with team to strategically deploy staff and consultants.
• Manage the preparation and presentation of proposed implementation plans and all reports.
• Ensure the quality and timeliness of all contract deliverables and work products.

Budget and Personnel Management

• Assume responsibility for the budget, working closely with financial manager to ensure cost effective management, financial projections and systems to ensure proper use of funds.
• Directly or indirectly supervise all project staff and consultants.
• Mentor and support the professional development of all staff and consultants;
• Ensure adherence to all relevant US Government (USG), NORC, and host country rules, regulations, and laws, including those related to procurement and labor and employment; and
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social sciences or related field with at least ten (10) years of progressive experience in project management of similar development programs; or a Bachelor’s degree in the similar field with at least fifteen (15) years of progressive experience in project management of development programs development projects
• At least five (5) years of experience related to research, evaluation, statistics and/or monitoring projects related to development.
• Deep familiarity with USAID CLA practices, M&E design, and principles;
• At least five (5) years of experience leading Monitoring and Evaluations contracts of similar scope and size.
• Previous Chief of Party experience on a USAID-funded award, preferably based overseas.
• Previous experience with Feed the Future programs and USAIDs Development Information Solutions
• Availability to travel throughout the country to attend to contract implementation tasks as necessary.
• Strong networks with local and international technical experts in learning, monitoring, evaluation, research, economic growth, governance, health, education, and environment
• Working knowledge of and experience with USG-funded program management, policies, regulations, and procedures;
• Demonstrated familiarity with ADS 201;
• Excellent team leadership, management, and communication skills; and
• Fluency in written and spoken English Level (4/4)

Communication and Public Relations Skills:

• Excellent written, oral and presentation skills.
• Excellent demonstrated ability to effectively interact with senior-level and mid-level counterparts of host country and USAID, local professionals, international donors, host country government counterparts and implementing partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in capacity development and training, performance measurement, data quality assurance (DQA), systems strengthening;
• Professional experience working and living in Uganda and East Africa;
• Technical expertise in one or more thematic sectors (such as democracy, governance and conflict; economic growth; education; youth and child development; health and HIV; humanitarian assistance and transitions)