Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.
Project Objective:
Under Functional Area 3: Diplomacy, Media and Cultural Affairs Programs of the Department’s Performance Management and Evaluation Services IDIQ, the Evaluation Division in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in the State Department, Social Impact is providing evaluation services for an independent evaluation of ECA’s Countering Disinformation Programming. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine both the immediate outcomes of ECA programs in addressing disinformation, as well as the contributions ECA programs make in the more complex disinformation landscape. The evaluation will provide evidence to support programmatic decision-making by ECA and Posts in order to better leverage ECA programs to counter disinformation. The findings of this evaluation will provide data to Congress on the use of the $12 million disinformation allocation and contribute to future funding decisions for any additional disinformation funding the Bureau receives. This evaluation will cover program participants and beneficiaries from FY 2018 through FY 2020.
Position Description:
Social Impact is seeking multiple Local Evaluation Experts to fill positions in the following countries: Ukraine, Serbia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Latvia. Each Evaluation Expert will participate in the development of research methods, instruments, and protocols, and will lead local data collection and compilation, facilitate focus group discussions and interviews, conduct data analysis, provide technical inputs, and contribute to the drafting and finalizing of client deliverables as needed.
These are temporary, part-time positions reporting to the U.S.-based Evaluation Team Leader working closely with the SI management team. The period of performance will last from December 2020 – January 2021, and will require 10 days of effort.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain clear and regular communication with the research team and HQ support staff and ensure the HQ team is made aware of any risks, problems, or challenges that arise in a timely manner.
- Organize and conduct focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews, and/or surveys of beneficiaries and partners of ECA’s countering disinformation programming.
- Collect, clean, store, and manage both qualitative and quantitative data.
- Share research results with the Evaluation Team Leader and SI HQ project staff.
- Travel within country of assignment for fieldwork as needed.
Qualifications:
- At least five years of experience conducting evaluations and qualitative research.
- Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in sociology, media, communications, or another relevant field.
- Experience with the full life cycle of qualitative data collection, including focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
- Ability and previous experience conducting qualitative data collection both in-person and remotely (phone, web conferencing platforms, etc.).
- Experience handling logistics of data collection (setting up interviews, tracking completions, locating participants, identifying and setting up locations for interviews and focus groups, etc.).
- Experience in media literacy and countering disinformation programming strongly preferred.
- Prior work with U.S. government agencies such as the Department of State, USAID, MCC, etc. preferred.
- Exceptional organizational, analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
- Verbal and written fluency in the local language and English. Additional proficiency in Russian may be required for some countries.
How to apply:
Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.
For consideration, please apply via one of the links below:
- Local Evaluation Expert – Ukraine: https://tinyurl.com/y6ov4tfr
- Local Evaluation Expert – Serbia: https://tinyurl.com/y3un5s3c
- Local Evaluation Expert – Hungary: https://tinyurl.com/y3xeyhy4
- Local Evaluation Expert – Kazakhstan: https://tinyurl.com/yxc64cnf
- Local Evaluation Expert – Tajikistan: https://tinyurl.com/yxuv23gm
- Local Evaluation Expert – Latvia: https://tinyurl.com/y4jdc5lu
SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.