Mid Term Evaluation of USAID Civil Society and Media Evaluation Specialist

Practice: Data – MELWork type: Part-time/ConsultantLocation: This position is based in Kathmandu and may require travel to USAID Civil Society and Media working districts of Nepal. You must be legally authorized to work in Nepal; Bixal does not provide sponsorship. 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. What will you do?USAID Learning for Development is seeking a Nepali consultant with experience in the evaluation sector. The candidate should possess strong technical expertise in project evaluation, preferably with experience in civil society and media operations, including advocacy, organizational empowerment, capacity development, and sustainability. This role is part of the mid-term evaluation team for the USAID Civil Society and Media (CSM) Activity, which supports independent civil society and media organizations led by and for women, youth, and marginalized (WYM) communities, with a focus on advancing public interest, fundamental freedoms, and accountability. The consultant will provide technical support throughout the evaluation process, offering expertise in drafting design reports, developing field plans, collecting data, and supporting data analysis and reporting as needed. They will work closely with the Team Leader, Civil Society and Media Expert, and Inclusive Partnership/GESI Expert to ensure a thorough and inclusive evaluation and analysis. Roles and Responsibilities:The Evaluation Expert will be part of a broader consultancy team, working closely with other consultants to ensure the smooth completion of the assignment. They will provide technical assistance in methodological areas and data collection. Key responsibilities include contributing to a comprehensive inception report, supporting the design of data collection methods and tools, and conducting qualitative data collection through methods such as Focused Group Discussion, Key Informant Interviews, and more. Additionally, they will assist the team with data analysis and the preparation of the final report. The specific responsibilities of CSM Expert are as follows: · Provide technical support in reviewing documents and other relevant materials related to the USAID Civil Society and Media Activity.· Contribute to the development of the design report, including input on evaluation design, work plan, methodology, tools, and the data collection schedule.· Assist in identifying and implementing suitable qualitative data collection methods, such as document reviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and observations.· Conduct FGDs and KIIs with stakeholders, program participants, local government contacts, and USAID staff, ensuring in-depth field engagement and travel as needed for data collection.· Support the preparation and presentation of preliminary findings.· Participate in regular check-in meetings with the USAID Learning for Development team. Deliverables:· Attend bi-weekly check-in meetings with the USAID Learning for Development team.· Collect qualitative data, perform transcriptions, and assist in coding and thematizing.· Contribute to drafting and finalizing the design report, including evaluation tools and the work plan.· Assist in drafting the initial findings report. Knowledge and Qualification: · Master's degree in management, social sciences, development studies, or a related field.· Minimum of two years of experience as an evaluation team member with expertise in conducting qualitative research.· Preferred experience working with civil society, local governments, and non-governmental organizations. Timeline and Level of Effort (LoE)The assignment will span from approximately November 2024 to April 2025, with an estimated total of 20 days of Level of Effort (LoE).