Energy Security Subject Matter Expert (ES SME)

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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.

BackgroundThe U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Laos Mel Support Services Contract is a 5-year award led by Bixal Solutions, Inc. that provides USAID/Laos with technical and advisory services or design, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Learning, Collaboration Learning and Adapting, and Knowledge Management at strategy and activity levels in areas such as health, education, economic development, clean energy, improved governance, rule of law, and persons with disabilities. The goal of the USAID Laos Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Support Activity is to support USAID/Laos, implementing partners (IPs), and stakeholders to improve evidence-based decision-making through better data use, strategic collaboration, and adaptive management. The project’s two main objectives are as follows: Task 1: Technical Assistance in the Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation of USAID Laos Strategies, and Activities; Task 2: CLA, KM, and Advisory Services at the Strategy and Activity Level. Among the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, the Government of Laos views the country’s energy sector as a key driver of its economic growth. Development of the abundant hydro generation potential of the Mekong River and its tributaries, coupled with significant investment in transmission and distribution, has resulted in a 95% electrification rate for its citizens. It is also part of the national strategy to become the “Battery of Southeast Asia.Laos Energy Security is a part of the US Government’s initiative: “Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy” (ASIA EDGE). ASIA EDGE supports expanded access to energy, promotes greater diversity in sources of energy generation, enhances regional energy trade and integration of energy markets, and strengthens energy security throughout the Indo-Pacific region. PurposeUSAID Laos MEL Support Services seeks to engage a Subject Matter Expert to Team Lead evaluation consultant to lead and conduct a performance evaluation of USAID’s Energy Security program in Laos. The purpose of this evaluation of USAID’s Energy Security activity is to provide USAID/Laos with an analysis on the effectiveness of the activity in achieving its overall objectives as well as assess the progress toward achieving its goals of improving energy sector planning; strengthening the policy, legal, and regulatory framework of the energy sector; and improving performance of state-owned utilities.

The evaluation should provide actionable insights to strengthen current and future energy security activities as well as provide insights on the current challenges facing implementation. By leveraging lessons learned and best practices, the evaluation endeavors to strengthen the current and future programs and ultimately provide support to improve the planning, policies, and performance of the Lao energy sector.

Roles and ResponsibilitiesThe ES SME will be part of a broader consultancy team, with whom they will work in close coordination, and report to the Evaluation Team Lead. The ES SME will assist in conducting the evaluation as part of a team, under the direction of the Team Lead, in coordination with Bixal HO and local staff that will assist in the evaluation and logistics support. The SME will ensure that the evaluation design and deliverables include informed expertise on ES from a Laotian perspective. Their role will be to ensure the project team and overall deliverables have the proper expertise in energy security and address energy security concerns and barriers that exist in Laos. They will contribute to a detailed inception report for the evaluation, assist in designing the methods and tools for data collection, and support team members in the analysis and final report, as well as other tasks as needed

Objectives of the Assignment

• Assess the progress that has been made in the ES program
• Determine the continued relevance of the program’s interventions towards achieving the project’s objectives
• Document lessons learned and suggest any important or necessary modifications or course corrections to ensure achievement of the shared objectives within the lifetime of the project
• Provide evidence-based findings to contribute to ongoing and future activities of USAID/Laos and share good practices with stakeholders in Laos

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop a project timeline and oversee direction and time management.
• Review USAID/ES activity documents and other relevant documents focusing on Energy Security.
• Provide expert review of all materials from an ES perspective
• Assist in drafting an inception report detailing the evaluation design and work plan, including the evaluation tools, methodology and schedule for data collection.
• Assist in preparing data collection tools – including translation - and schedule to ensure a smooth deployment of data collection.
• Assist in conducting 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.
• Assist in preparing a preliminary finding report and presentation.
• Assist in drafting 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/Laos team as well as the Bixal team.
• Others as needed.

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Have at least 5 years of experience in energy security, preferable in a development setting
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the energy sector in Laos and ASEAN region and private sector development, preferably in the Lao PDR context.
• Strong understanding of Lao PDR energy context, USAID/Laos operating context, other donors / donor-funded community, and GoL; not currently work in part-time of any USAID energy activities.
• Have energy security program or policy implementation experience in Laos; regional experience considered
• Have experience working with development programs and work with international development partners
• Experience participating in evaluations, research, or other assessments required
• Demonstrated skills in facilitating or assisting with participatory processes and other qualitative methods to interpret and develop recommendations from research
• Strong communication skills, management, and writing skills required
• Degree in a relevant field
• Fluency in English and Lao preferred

Deliverables

• Weekly or bi-weekly check-in meeting with the Bixal team and USAID/Laos team
• Draft and final inception report including evaluation tools and workplan
• Draft initial findings report and presentation slide deck for the Mission
• Conduct a presentation and workshop with USAID and Learning for Development on initial findings
• Final Evaluation report and presentation slide deck
• Other deliverables as needed