Scope of Work
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Platform (MEL-P)
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
USAID/ASEAN Joint Mid-Term Performance Evaluation
Background
Panagora Group, a woman-owned small business providing novel and integrated solutions in global health and international development, is supporting USAID/Indonesia to implement its new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) through a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Platform (MEL-P) Activity. MEL-P provides its services through five components: 1) monitoring support services, 2) designing and conducting performance and impact evaluations, 3) providing research, assessment, and data analysis, 4) providing consulting and advisory services and logistical support services, and 5) initiating collaboration, learning, and adapting activities. Along with enhancing MEL capability, we also promote use of the empirical evidence for programming, learning and adapting as USAID support the Government of Indonesia (GOI).
Under MEL-P, Panagora has been assigned to conduct a joint mid-term evaluation of three USAID/ASEAN activities:
(i) ASEAN-USAID Partnership for Regional Optimization within the Political-Security and Socio-Cultural Communities (PROSPECT) – This is a $11.3 million activity which started in August 2018 and focuses to support ASEAN and the ASEAN Member States (AMS) in increasing the capacity to resolve regional and global challenges and advance an effective rule-based for cooperation among AMS to uphold human dignity and opportunity for marginalized and/or vulnerable group, with DAI as the implementation partner;
(ii) ASEAN-USAID Inclusive Growth in ASEAN Through Innovation, Trade, and E-Commerce (IGNITE) – This is a $10.4 million activity that started in October 2018 and focuses in the areas of Trade Facilitation, Digital Economy, and Science, Technology, and Innovation to reduce trade costs, spur ecommerce, and increase economic integration and foster inclusive economic growth, with Nathan Associates as the implementation partner.
(iii) and ASEAN Policy Implementation (API) – This is a $9 million activity that stated in November 2019 and aims to strengthen ASEAN as a leading Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) partner through support to AMS in implementation of ASEAN policies under the ASEAN Economic Community, with IBI International as the implementation partner.
The purpose of the evaluation is to investigate and collect insights on project design, management and implementation of the three activities, and to inform the design of future programming. The evaluation will begin in or about September 2021 and finish by January 2022. Remote coordination and data collection will be considered depending on Covid-19 restrictions and GOI and AMS policies and procedures. Some preparatory work will be required prior to arrival in Indonesia.
Position Summary
The Research Assistant for the USAID/ASEAN mid-term performance evaluation will have primarily responsibility to support the team leader and other team members during the evaluation process.
Responsibilities
- Providing support to develop evaluation methodology and work plan, including data collection instruments and a data analysis plan.
· Assisting the evaluation team in conducting primary as well as secondary data collection, including collecting and collating documents for desk reviews, setting up key informant interviews, scheduling focus group discussions and associated logistics.
· Assisting the evaluation team in data processing and analysis and maintaining records of data collection activities.
· Providing assistance regarding necessary field work and background research for the evaluation team.
· Taking notes and recording every meeting and data gathering session, including interviews and group discussions.
· Providing administrative and logistics arrangements for potential field work of the evaluation team, if any.
· Other tasks, as assigned by the Team Leader and MEL-P.
Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline.
· At least 2 to 5 years of professional experience supporting research activities.
· Excellent skills in MS Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.
· Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
· Strong attention to detail and ability to follow organization’s regulations and supervisor’s instructions.
· Ability to take initiative and complete work within tight deadlines.
· Proficient English speaking and writing.
· Open only to Indonesian citizens.
Reporting
The Research Assistant will report to the Evaluation Team Leader, with the guidance of MEL-P Senior Evaluation Advisor.
Period of Performance
The estimated level of effort for the STTA for Research Assistant will be 55 days. The duration of the assignment would intermittently cover the period September 6, 2021, to January 28, 2022.
How to Apply
Fill out the online application here . Please include a cover letter and resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please apply before July 23, 2021.
No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Only applicants who include the required application components will be considered.
Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
