Research and Evaluation Specialist Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI)

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID SCALING UP NUTRITION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SUN TA)
RESEARCH AND EVALUATION SPECIALIST (GRADE 10)

1. Project Background:
The Scaling Up Nutrition Program is a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia through implementation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program. SUN TA provides support and direct technical assistance to sub-national local government departments in target districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific activities to reduce the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two and improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating mothers. USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting, including (1) Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and (2) Adequate Health Conditions for Biological Utilization of Nutrients. SUN TA interventions increase access and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food; adoption of better child feeding and household hygiene practices; and access to improved health, water and sanitation services. The project prioritizes sustainability by improving intra-household joint decision making and building the capacity of local government and their stakeholders to ensure coordination, accountability, and learning, following the Scaling Up Nutrition model.

2. Purpose:
The Research and Evaluation Specialist will work directly with the MEL Director to review, refine, and implement the SUN TA Research and evaluation and learning function at the Lusaka, provincial and district levels. The Research and Evaluation Specialist holds day-to-day responsibility for research and evaluation elements within the SUN TA project, under the direct supervision of the Lusaka-based MEL Director. S/he is responsible for the accurate delivery of all research outputs and internal project evaluations, preparing reports, delivering presentations and co-ordinating collaboration, adaptability and learning in line with project requirements.

Research and Evaluation Specialist will design qualitative and quantitative research instruments, support the commissioning of research agencies, recruit research participants, moderate focus groups, conduct interviews, analyse qualitative and quantitative data and write research and evaluation reports and present research and evaluation findings for learning and adaptability.

The Research and Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for design and testing of data collection tools and protocols, data management and quality control processes, and reporting. S/he will work in close coordination with the SUN TA district technical teams including the District MEL Officers and the District Technical Officers to ensure timeliness, effectiveness and efficiency in data collection and subsequent submission to a cloud-hosted database management system.

3. Place of Performance and Reporting:
The Research and Evaluation Specialist will be based in Lusaka, and report to the MEL Director in Lusaka, Zambia.

4. Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Design SUN TA research and evaluation protocols, data collection tools, assent and consent forms, information sheets and research and evaluation workplans including overseeing the commissioning and quality control of research and evaluation particularly for Rapid Assessments, Surveys, Midline and end-line for project impact evaluation.
• To support the commissioning of qualitative and quantitative studies, including negotiating on technical matters, such as recruitment, sampling, and analysis.
• To support the implementation of research, including developing instruments; monitoring quality, budget and timely delivery of research outputs; supervising fieldwork; and analysing data.
• To support the implementation of ad hoc qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation and perform secondary data analysis in support of projects and programmes.
• To recruit research participants and moderate focus groups and conduct in-depth interviews.
• To process, clean and analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
• To coordinate data collection fieldwork and monitor quality and ethics in fieldwork.
• To engage proactively and collaboratively with non-research staff to support the development and use of research and evaluation
• To ensure the effective collection, analysis, compilation, filing and storage of research data and evidence against SUN TA project indicators at all levels.
• To support in designing and implementing a comprehensive set of research tools and setting up research databases for the project which captures the capacity building, outreach, and production impact of the project.

Research Design

• To support the design and implementation of qualitative and quantitative research to measure progress against the project goals and indicators as well as contributing to research strategy, study design, scientific sampling techniques, methodologies and analysis of data.
• To contribute to the design of exploratory and strategic research (pilot, concept, and pre-testing) to ensure the quality of all research and evaluation outputs
• To support development of new business by writing research contributions to project and programme proposals.

Presentation

• To write research and evaluation reports and prepare presentations that inform SUN TA project implementation process and monitor and evaluate project effectiveness, for internal SUN TA and external audiences.
• To regularly present research and evaluation findings to project management and assist in external research and project presentations to SUN TA partners and donors where required.
• To contribute to SUN TA reports using research and evaluation findings and evidence to show progress at output, outcome and impact level.

Outreach

• To work closely with all the 13 SUN TA districts across the country in line with agreements between SUN TA, government and other the partners
• To oversee the effective research and evaluation data collecting, analysing, interpretation of results and dissemination

Learning

• To document methods and practices in qualitative and quantitative research currently employed by on the project to support the identification of lessons learned and best practice for organisation-wide learning.
• To identify, develop, pilot and document new approaches and methodologies for project research and evaluation (e.g. ethnographic research, Rapid Assessment Surveys, and other such relevant surveys).

Other Duties

• Any other work as deemed appropriate by the Senior Management Team to support SUN TA in quality research and evaluation outputs and deliverables.

5. Supervisory Responsibilities:

The Research and Evaluation Specialist will not directly supervise any officer but will be required to work directly with the district MEL Officers and the Lusaka MEL unit

6. Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Demography, Post- Graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation or higher, Statistics, Development Studies, Economics, Public Health or related Social Sciences. An advanced qualification in a social science research and evaluation is highly preferred
• Active paid up active member of the Zambia Monitoring and Evaluation Association ZaMEA.
• At least 8 years’ practical experience in a similar role in qualitative and quantitative social research surveys and evaluation in a reputable development or research organizations, preferably with thematic specialization in research and evaluation for learning and adaptability.
• Exceptional strong skills in social science sampling techniques and methods
• Demonstrated experience conducting both qualitative and quantitative research
• Familiarity with social science research and evaluation approaches and methodologies
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation skills including instrument design, data collection, quality assurance, data management, analysis and reporting as well as in data collection including moderating focus groups and interviews
• Strong report writing and presentation skills, communicating complex technical ideas using non-technical language to a wide range of audiences
• Exceptional skills in and SPSS syntax and analysis, IT skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power Bi etc.…
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills
• In-depth working knowledge of the cultures and customs of the people of Zambia
• Ability to plan and conduct work with minimal supervision and good time management skills, with a track record of delivering research and evaluation findings on time and to a high standard of quality
• Strong written and spoken English, knowledge of IciBemba language an asset
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Zambia in the 13 SUN TA districts when required
• Competence in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies including sampling and analysis approaches
• Proven record of data and information collection, collation, review, analysis, presentation skills and data visualization
• Previous experience working in the international development/humanitarian sector and on USAID funded programs
• Knowledge and experience in researching and evaluating multi-sectoral nutrition programs
• Knowledge and experience in researching and evaluating nutrition projects particularly with a sound focus on agriculture, livelihoods, health, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene programs

Relevant competencies

• Planning and Organisation – Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritizes and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.
• Communication – The ability to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
• Influencing and Persuading – Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
• Managing Relationships and Teamworking – Is able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, rather than working separately or competitively.
• Resilience – Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, set-backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
• Analytical Thinking – Able to simplify complex problems, processes or projects into component parts, and to explore and evaluate them systematically. Able to identify causal relationships, and construct frameworks, for problem-solving and/or development.
• Decision Making – Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decision made.

Desirable knowledge, skills, and experience

Experience of and/or interest in research and evaluation on international and development issues and ability to work in a high research demanding environment

7. Key Competencies for the Role:

INTELLECTUAL

Problem solving
Analytical

INTERPERSONAL

Strong interpersonal skills
Teamwork

COMMUNICATION

Written and verbal communication
Strong presentation skills

TECHNICAL

Database system knowledge
Computer literate (Microsoft Excel, and statistical packages)

LEADERSHIP

Coaching and Mentoring
Monitoring and control