Closing date: 25 Apr 2012
EnCompass
Position Title: Research and Evaluation Associate -- Zambia
Department: Technical Assistance and Evaluation
Reports to: EnCompass Project Manager
Position Background
The Research and Evaluation Associate position is a full-time, one-year professional Fellowship position that begins in May 2012 (or as soon after as possible). The R&E Associate will work for EnCompass LLC as part of work on a project led by Education Development Center (EDC) and funded by USAID.
• The Fellow will likely be co-located at an office in Lusaka with EDC and possibly Ministry of Education staff. • Travel to/from Lusaka will be paid. Fellows will receive a stipend of $750/month (to cover housing and other basic living expenses).
• Deadline for applications: April 25, 2012
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
EnCompass LLC is a small, women-owned consulting firm based in the Washington, DC area. Since 1999 EnCompass has worked in the United States and internationally with government, international organizations, and in the non-profit and private sectors. EnCompass provides a core group of services: technical assistance and evaluation, leadership and organization development, and training and facilitation. Clients include international and national organizations, such as USAID, the World Bank, and UN agencies. (To learn more about EnCompass, please visit our website atwww.encompassworld.com)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
EnCompass is working as a sub-contractor to EDC (www.edc.org) on the “Orphaned and Vulnerable Children – Education Support Initiative” (OVC-ESI), a five-year project that was awarded in March 2012 to EDC by USAID. The key purpose of the OVC-ESI is to institutionalize, in a decentralized way, Ministry of Education (MOE) support to community schools (operated by parents, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and others, and not part of the government system of schools) to stabilize their operations by providing educational resources, improving teacher skills and school management, and enhancing learner support through community and private sector participation. EnCompass is supporting research and evaluation activities of the project, including building energy and commitment to research, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) among targeted stakeholders; working with stakeholders to create and begin to implement a relevant research agenda that will increase knowledge about how to strengthen community schools; leading on the design, implementation and reporting of specific M&E and research activities, including a baseline assessment in the first year, mid-term evaluation and summative evaluation in year five and case studies on relevant topics; and building skills and capacity for research and evaluation among research interns, the academic community and MOE. EnCompass will also lend technical expertise relating to gender and HIV/AIDS, as well as research, and M&E.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Position responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Act as a liaison between the EnCompass and partners on the ground • Support the launch of the project and development of processes to assure excellent relationships between EnCompass and all partners • Support the planning, implementation, and analysis for a baseline assessment that will take place within the first 2 quarters of the project • Work with 20 research interns, to be identified by EDC, and potentially others (including representatives of local institutions of higher learning, MoE’s research unit, partners) to build capacity (through training, mentoring and coaching) on research and evaluation skills, designs, and strategies • Support EnCompass as providers of technical expertise to EDC and other partners in research and evaluation they may be leading • Support EnCompass in research and evaluation that will be conducted directly by EnCompass • Other duties as required
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
• MA degree, preferably in educational research and evaluation; other related degrees will be considered • Experience conducting monitoring and evaluation initiatives • Knowledge of gender integration and HIV/AIDS • Knowledge of computer systems including Excel, SPSS, and Access (or other similar programs) and ability to mentor others in data entry • International experience, preferably in Southern Africa • Ability to facilitate small group meetings • Ability to work independently • Excellent communication skills, including cross-cultural and distance • Ability to adapt quickly to new circumstances, high flexibility • Must have passport • Must be able to commit to working on the project for one year • Must provide own laptop that will be used for daily work
GENERAL INFORMATION
• The EnCompass project manager, based outside of Zambia, will be the direct supervisor for this position. She and other EnCompass staff will make 4 trips each year to Zambia. • EnCompass will be working under the direction of EDC’s manager for performance and evaluation, and the Research & Evaluation Associate will likely be located in an office with this person. • EnCompass will assist the Fellow in identifying suitable housing, however the Fellow is expected to take a lead role in this as well. • Reimbursement will be provided on a monthly basis for phone and transport costs related to work. Daily travel from home to office will not be covered. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate. The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. EnCompass LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work and welcome a broad diversity of qualified applicants.
How to apply:
Please forward cover letter and resume to csears@encompassworld.com.
