Project Summary
In May 2015, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a five-year contract to Management Systems International (MSI) to provide performance management support to USAID-sponsored development programs throughout Pakistan. The Performance Management Support Contract (PERFORM) will serve as a centralized management support mechanism supporting USAID/Pakistan’s mission to increase stability, democracy, and prosperity for the men and women of Pakistan through the implementation of the Mission Strategic Framework (MSF). PERFORM will provide data and information to help project managers improve project results through better implementation and design, as well as services that support the Mission’s learning and adaptive process, enabling it to better target its programming and achieve its goals and objectives. The performance components will include: (1) Monitoring Services; (2) Evaluation Services; (3) Assessment Services; and (4) Learning Support Services.
Position Summary
MSI will conduct a midterm evaluation of two USAID youth workforce development projects being implemented in Karachi. The evaluation will assess the extent to which the projects are effectively targeting localities and individuals that are consistent with project objectives and the effect the projects have had on beneficiaries’ economic opportunities and status. Additionally the evaluation will assess the effect of the projects on levels of crime and violence, and perceptions of insecurity in the neighborhoods and town from which the projects select beneficiaries.
MSI is seeking two Data Analysts with strong data management and analytical skills. The Data Analysts will be involved in the design of the data collection instruments during the team planning workshop, which will provide a detailed understanding about the nature of data that is going to be collected. S/he will work with the evaluation team to collect and collate secondary data and will process secondary data to be able to use it in conjunction with primary data.
S/he will be required to pilot data collection instruments and suggest modifications to refine the instruments for fieldwork. S/he will work with the evaluation team to schedule interviews for themselves and short term project staff. S/he will be heavily involved in monitoring subcontractor staff in order to obtain quality primary data. S/he will assess quality of data, and flag inconsistencies for review by the Statistician, Researcher, and Team Leader.
The evaluation will use a mixed methods approach, leveraging primary and secondary data to answer the evaluation questions. Qualitative data will be collected through semi structured interviews of key stakeholders. We expect to conduct at least 150 in depth interviews, the vast majority of these will be conducted across various neighborhoods in Karachi. The evaluation team will use MaxQDA for coding and analysis of qualitative data. A non-equivalent groups design is expected to be used for assessing project outcomes quantitatively. We envisage conducting a stratified random sample survey of about 2000 individuals. The evaluation team will use STATA or SPSS to collate and analyze survey data.
The position requires about 51 days of effort, approximately 25 of which will be based in Islamabad. The remainder will be spent conducting fieldwork in Karachi. The Data Analysts will work within a six person evaluation team composed of subject-matter experts, a qualitative researcher, and a statistician. S/he will report to the Team Leader.
Responsibilities
- Participate in the planning exercise and develop a complete understanding of the data collection instruments.
- Support pre-testing of data collection instruments.
- Help develop the data collection and analysis plans. Keep plans up to date.
- Schedule data collection activities.
- Participate fully in a data rehearsal with USAID staff prior to field work.
- Monitor fieldwork to ensure data quality. Regularly report on data collection progress and quality aspects.
- Create a data repository, ensure data is cleaned, labeled, coded, and in a format usable for data analysis.
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
- Assist with preparations for presenting results to USAID and implementing partners.
- Prepare charts, graphs, tabulations for final reporting.
- Any other task related to the assignment and the position.
Qualifications
- At least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 4 years of relevant professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
- In depth knowledge of statistical software for quantitative data analysis, either STATA, SPSS, R required. Proficiency is Excel is necessary. In addition, candidates with prior experience with qualitative data analysis software like MaxQDA, NVivo etc. are preferred.
- Understanding and prior experience of issues related to youth development, technical and vocational skills development, or peace and tolerance focused interventions is preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
- Excellent English writing skills.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.
“Position will be filled on a rolling basis”