Governance Subject Matter Expert (SME), DOS Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) Mid-Term Evaluation of the South Asia Governance Fund At Social Impact

Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Proposal Objective:

Under the Performance Management and Evaluation Services (PMES) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) seeks to conduct a mid-term evaluation of the project design and management of the South Asia Governance Fund (SAGF). Due to COVID-related travel restrictions, the evaluation will be a desktop study only. SAGF started in September 2019 and is expected to end in September 2022, although a no-cost extension is possible due to COVID-related delays.

The purpose of this mid-term evaluation is to assess the performance of SAGF against stated objectives and expected outcomes, examine the implementation challenges and/or successes, and draw lessons learned for future programming. Recommendations and findings from this evaluation should identify corrective measures for the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of SAGF, and highlight best practices for replication. The evaluation should provide information on ways to improve management, oversight, and compliance with the assistance award. Additionally, the evaluation should articulate actions for follow-up, reinforce initial benefits of previous activities, and identify mid-point course corrections, if any. This evaluation is a mid-term performance assessment, where the focus of the examination is on implementation, inputs, outputs, and likely expected outcomes.

Position Description:

Social Impact is seeking a Governance Subject Matter Expert (SME) in support of the DOS SCA Mid-Term Evaluation of the South Asia Governance Fund. The SME must have extensive knowledge and familiarity with governance-related issues in South Asia as well as experience serving on evaluation teams. The evaluation will involve desk review of relevant program documents as well as interviews with key stakeholders. This is a fully remote part-time consulting assignment with a period of performance of six months, contingent upon contract award.

Illustrative Responsibilities:

• Support the development of the evaluation design and workplan, including work schedule, methods, and data sources.
• Contribute to the development of a desk review report in an advisory capacity, as directed by the Team Leader.
• Support preparation of a data collection plan, with informant lists, data collection instruments, and detailed data collection schedule.
• Administer key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with identified stakeholders, ensuring all data collection events are carefully documented through detailed notes.
• Support data analysis and drafting of stakeholder briefings and draft/final report, as instructed by the Team Lead.

Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in a social science discipline and at least seven years of relevant work experience.
• A demonstrable record of monitoring and/or implementing governance-related foreign assistance programs.
• Demonstrated and significant experience serving on evaluation teams required.
• Expert-level knowledge on governance-related topics, especially public sector accountability and transparency, rule of law, civil society, media, and democracy strengthening.
• Experience evaluating diverse grantmaking mechanisms, preferably with civil society actors.
• Previous experience working with U.S. Government agencies such as the State Department or USAID preferred, and/or international NGOs.
• Experience working in South Asia is highly desirable, especially in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, or Sri Lanka.
• Oral and written fluency in English. Fluency in Nepali, Bengali, Sinhala, and/or Tamil highly desirable.
• Ability and willingness to undergo a moderate risk public trust background investigation.