Mid Term Evaluation of
USAID Civil Society and Media
Civil Society and Media Expert
Practice: Data – MEL
Work type: Part-time/Consultant
Location: This position is based in Kathmandu and may require travel to USAID Civil Society and Media working districts of Nepal. You must be legally authorized to work in Nepal; Bixal does not provide sponsorship.
Background
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Learning for Development Activity is a 5-year award led by Bixal Solutions, Inc. that provides USAID/Nepal with technical and advisory services in planning, designing, conducting, and learning from the monitoring and evaluation of the Mission's strategies, projects, and activities in an efficient manner. USAID Learning for Development supports USAID/Nepal by providing services including a) learning and knowledge management; b) evaluations, study, and other studies; c) performance monitoring technical support; d) capacity building; and e) development outreach and communications support.
What will you do?
USAID Learning for Development is seeking a Nepali consultant with proven governance, civil society, and media expertise. The candidate will have extensive technical experience in civil society and media operations, including advocacy, empowerment of nascent organizations, capacity development, and sustainability. The person will be a key member of the mid-term evaluation team for the USAID Civil Society and Media (CSM) Activity, which supports independent civil society and media organizations led by and for women, youth, and marginalized (WYM) communities, focusing on advancing public interest, fundamental freedoms, and accountability.
They will provide technical support throughout the evaluation process and offer specialized civil society and media expertise. They will work closely with the Team Leader and an Inclusive Partnership/GESI expert to ensure comprehensive evaluation and analysis.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The Civil Society and Media Expert will be a member of a broader consultancy team, collaborating closely with other consultants to ensure the project team has the necessary expertise in civil society and media in Nepal. Their responsibilities will include contributing to a detailed inception report for the evaluation, supporting the design of data collection methods and tools, and providing subject-area expertise to assist team members in the analysis and preparation of the final report.
The specific responsibilities of CSM Expert are as follows:
● Provide technical leadership in reviewing the USAID Civil Society and Media Activity's documents and other relevant materials.
● Support the development of the design report, including the evaluation design, work plan, methodology, tools, and data collection schedule.
● Assist in determining and implementing the most appropriate qualitative data collection methods, including document reviews, FGDs, KIIs, and observations.
● Lead FGDs and KIIs with relevant stakeholders, program participants, local government contacts, and USAID staff, ensuring thorough field engagement and travel as required.
● Oversee field data collection efforts, including travel to various sites.
● Support the team leader in preparing and presenting a preliminary findings report to USAID.
● Contribute to drafting the consolidated evaluation report and deliver the final presentation of the evaluation findings to the Mission, providing subject-area expertise.
● Ensure high-quality deliverables by coordinating closely with the USAID Learning for Development team.
● Participate in regular check-in meetings with the USAID Learning for Development team.
Deliverables:
● Bi-weekly check-in meetings with the USAID Learning for Development team.
● Support to draft and finalize the design report, including evaluation tools and work plan.
● Support to draft initial findings report and prepare a presentation slide deck for the Mission.
● Conduct a presentation and workshop with USAID and USAID Learning for Development to discuss initial findings.
● Submit the final evaluation report and accompanying presentation slide deck.
Knowledge and Qualification:
● Master's degree in management, social sciences, development studies, or a relevant field.
● At least seven years of experience as a member of an evaluation team.
● Experience leading or serving as a senior civil society and media technical expert, particularly in social public policy analysis, advocacy, governance reforms, and CSO/media sector reforms and capacity development.
● Strong experience in conducting evaluations, particularly in qualitative research.
● Proven expertise in report writing, with a focus on utilizing qualitative data.
● Experience working with civil society, local governments, and non-governmental organizations is preferred.
Timeline and Level of Effort (LoE)
The assignment will span from approximately October 2024 to April 2025, with an estimated total of 40 days of Level of Effort (LoE).