Senior Evaluation Specialist, USAID Iraq Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Activity (IMELA) (Baghdad or Erbil)

Position Description

EnCompass LLC is seeking a Senior Evaluation Specialist for an anticipated five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) USAID Iraq Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Activity (IMELA).

The USAID/Iraq Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Activity (IMELA) Activity will provide USAID/Iraq with a variety of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) services to advance evidence and decision-making for USAID. This may include, but is not limited to, assessments, performance and impact evaluations, third-party monitoring, data quality assessment (DQAs), and special studies.

The Senior Evaluation Specialist should possess expertise in designing and executing quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytical methods to support evaluation design and implementation, ideally in complex environments. They will lead the design and implementation of performance and impact evaluations, as well as all assessment activities, along with the required analysis therefrom. The Senior Evaluation Specialist will finalize evaluation reports and facilitate presentations and briefings to disseminate learning among project stakeholders. They may be responsible for leading and/or directing evaluation teams and conducting on-site research.

The position will be full-time and be based in Baghdad or Erbil, Iraq (dependent on the needs of contract), with anticipated travel throughout the country.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

• Lead/manage evaluation, analysis, and assessment activities, including coordination and oversight of local partners engaged in these activities
• Design quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and analytical methods and tools to support evaluation design and implementation
• Liaise with the Chief of Party/Deputy Chief of Party to inform the design of each study/evaluative activity and support quality assurance activities throughout each study, including the review of milestone deliverables and final reports prior to submission to USAID
• Support the selection and engagement of local partners and experts for activities, and support team development, training, and execution of activities
• Manage evaluation and task team leaders and provide quality control in the implementation of evaluations
• Establish methodological processes and standards that are compliant with USAID Evaluation Policy for MEL staff to adhere to on project monitoring and evaluation activities
• Employ strong CLA practices throughout the work, with an understanding of the USAID Program Cycle
• Engage fully as a member of the EnCompass staff team, including participating in staff meetings and other EnCompass events, and providing administrative support to other team members as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years’ experience; Master’s degree and 6 years’ experience; or PhD and 4 years’ experience in a social science, organizational development, development studies or a related field highly preferred

Experience and Skills

Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience leading complex portfolios of evaluative and learning activities for improved development outcomes
• Experience designing and implementing various types of mixed-methods evaluations (impact, performance, meta, etc.), analyses, and assessments
• Significant data analysis skills including command of statistics, sampling methodologies, statistical analysis software, and data validation techniques
• Extensive experience drafting and finalizing evaluation reports
• Experience applying systems thinking in evaluation design, participatory data collection methods and protocols, and facilitating participatory data validation and analysis exercises
• Experience in designing and training on Theory of change / logical frameworks
• Experience managing complex relationships with a variety of stakeholders
• Strong familiarity with USAID’s Evaluation Policy and CLA practices
• Ability to work with host-country governments at different levels
• Strong communication, supervision, and management skills required
• Superior skills in written and verbal English

Preferred:

• Experience building evaluative and learning capacities of USAID staff, implementing partners, and government counterparts
• Familiarity with USAID/Iraq preferred and/or USAID programming in the MENA region
• Working knowledge of and experience with USG-funded program management, policies, regulations and procedures
• Understanding of knowledge management as it relates to USAID programs

How to Apply

• Please submit a CV and cover letter, and complete the application online
• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs to write your application materials or to submit answers to screening questions could disqualify your application and/or candidacy

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.