Evaluation Team Lead (Trade and Competitiveness)

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About Us:Bixal is a consulting company based in Fairfax, VA, working alongside governments and organizations to help them deliver better services and experiences to the communities they serve. Using evidence-based knowledge and technology, Bixal empowers clients to deliver on their missions more effectively by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Background

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Learning for Development Activity is a 5-year award led by Bixal Solutions, Inc. that provides USAID/Nepal with technical and advisory services in planning, designing, conducting, and learning from the monitoring and evaluation of the Mission’s strategies, projects, and activities in an efficient manner. USAID Learning for Development supports USAID/Nepal by providing services including a) learning and knowledge management; b) evaluations, study and other studies; c) performance monitoring technical support; d) capacity building; and e) development outreach and communications support.

Purpose

USAID Learning for Development seeks to hire a Team Lead evaluation consultant to lead and conduct a Midterm performance evaluation of USAID’s Trade and Competitiveness (T&C) program in Nepal. The purpose of this performance evaluation of USAID’s Trade and Competitiveness (T&C) activity is to provide USAID/Nepal with an analysis on the effectiveness of the activity in achieving its overall objectives, assess the progress toward achieving it’s goals of increasing Nepali Private sector participation in global value chains, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering inclusive economic growth with a focus on inclusion of women and other marginalized populations as Business development Service Providers, catalyzation and effectiveness, innovation and opportunities, and policy advocacy.

The evaluation should provide actionable insights to strengthen the remainder of the current T&C program as well as provide insights on the current challenges of the civic space. Findings for the evaluation will be used to strengthen current T&C activities, plan for future activities, and provide evidence of private and public sector competitiveness in Nepal. By leveraging lessons learned and best practices, the evaluation endeavors to strengthen the current program and ultimately provide support to public and private sector actors so sector’s competitive participation in targeted global and domestic markets will increase and the economy will become more resilient to external shocks.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Team Leader will be the leader of a broader consultancy team with whom they will work in close coordination. The Team Lead will conduct the evaluation as part of a team, including Trade and Competitiveness Subject Matter expert, a GESI expert, an Evaluation Specialist, and local staff that will assist in the evaluation and logistics support. They will have the overall responsibility of leading the study including study design and methodology, preparation of the inception report, and tool finalization. They will also lead and oversee the evaluation implementation, including data collection, analysis, and report writing. They will serve as the team manager and provide direction to ensure expertise of all consultants is fully included into the design, implementation, and deliverables of the project. The Team Lead will provide high-level technical support, including supporting the development and customization of evaluation documentation that includes the questionnaire and technical manuals; managing translation activities; and coordinating logistical support, data collection and analysis. The Team Leader will be responsible for ensuring all deliverables are met in a timely manner and submitted with high-quality.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and leadership for the team consultants, ensuring all expertise is incorporated into the project design, implementation, and deliverables.
• Develop a project timeline and oversee direction and time management.
• Review USAID T&C activity documents and other relevant documents.
• Draft an inception report detailing the evaluation design and work plan, including the evaluation tools, methodology and schedule for data collection.
• Prepare data collection tools – including translation - and schedule to ensure a smooth deployment of data collection.
• Conduct FGDs and KIIs with relevant stakeholders, program participants, Local Government contact points and USAID staff, which requires travel to field locations.
• Conduct field data collection and observations.
• Prepare a preliminary finding report and presentation.
• Draft a consolidated evaluation report and deliver a presentation of the overall evaluation to the mission.
• Coordinate with the USAID Learning for Development team to ensure high-quality products.
• Attending regular check-in meetings with the USAID Learning for Development team.

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Experience leading and/or evaluating development activities for USAID or other donor agencies, preferably with experience in South or South East Asia
• Prior experience of leading similar evaluations or assessments required, preferably in Asia
• Familiarity with trade, trade competitiveness in developing countries, market and non-market based financial services, policy advocacy in investment climate, and high growth sectors, among others
• Experience researching areas of trade, market competitiveness, economic development, or other related topics strongly preferred
• Demonstrated skills in facilitating participatory processes to interpret and develop recommendations from research
• Strong communication skills, management, and writing skills required · The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Master's or PhD in a related field