Job Description
EnCompass seeks (Senior) Evaluation Specialist candidates at multiple levels for an anticipated five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) support activity to be based in Dakar, Senegal.
It is anticipated this project will provide support to Burkina Faso, Chad, the Gambia, Mauritania, Niger, and potentially other countries within West Africa.
MRCS will provide USAID/Sahel Regional Office with research, performance measurement and management support activities such as monitoring and evaluation (M&E) design, program evaluation design and implementation, sectoral assessments, surveys, special studies and target setting. This contract would improve performance management at all levels to help the Sahel Regional Office meet Agency requirements, make better informed strategic and management decisions, and advance Agency learning.
The (Senior) Evaluation Specialist should possess expertise designing and executing quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytical methods to support evaluation design and implementation, ideally in complex environments. S/he 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. S/he may be responsible for leading and/or directing evaluation teams and conducting field research.
The position will be full-time and be based in Dakar with travel throughout the region.

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 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 to adhere to on project monitoring and evaluation activities
• Employ strong collaboration, learning, and adapting (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
• A Master’s degree in a social science, organizational development, development studies or a related field highly preferred

Experience and Skills
• Minimum of four (4) years of demonstrated experience leading complex portfolios of evaluative and learning activities for improved development outcomes; Senior candidates should have at least seven (7) years of demonstrated experience
• Experience designing and implementing various types of mixed-methods evaluations (impact, performance, meta, etc.), analyses, and assessments required
• 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 building evaluative and learning capacities of USAID staff, implementing partners, and government counterparts highly preferred
• Experience managing complex relationships with a variety of stakeholders
• Strong familiarity with USAID’s Evaluation Policy and CLA practices
• Understanding of knowledge management as it relates to USAID programs an asset
• Ability to work with host-country governments at different levels
• Strong communication, supervision, and management skills required
• Working knowledge of and experience with USG-funded program management, policies, regulations and procedures
• Previous work experience in West Africa beyond Senegal greatly preferred
• Familiarity with USAID/Senegal Mission or Sahel Regional Office is preferred
• Superior written and verbal skills in both English and French required; knowledge of local language(s) an asset

How to Apply
Please submit CV and cover letter and complete the application online.

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.

About the Organization
EnCompass is a women-owned business offering innovative and customized solutions for leadership, capacity strengthening, technical assistance, and monitoring and evaluation.
We have experience in more than 70 countries and a team of more than 100 staff and 1,200 experts around the globe.
We partner with government and multilateral agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporations around the world, offering thought leadership, rich diversity, and technical expertise in global health, inclusive development, education, human rights, and food security.