Project Summary: 

In May 2015, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a five-year performance management support contract – PERFORM to Management Systems International (MSI). Under PERFORM MSI provides monitoring support, evaluations, assessments, and learning support services to USAID. These services provide evidence-based data and information and high-quality analysis that USAID program managers use to target resources and inform project design and implementation to improve project results and achieve objectives.

**Please note: Only Pakistani citizens are eligible for this position. **

Position Summary:

MSI is recruiting for a year-long intermittent short-term consultancy for the position of Team Leader to monitor implementation of the anticipated assignment to monitor activities of the Community Resilience Activity - North (CRA-N) project. CRA-N is expected to reduce marginalization and exclusion among the most vulnerable communities in the newly-merged districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province – formerly known as Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The CRA-N activity is primarily a community-based, small grants initiative implemented in close coordination with the donor, with communities in priority areas, and with all levels of Government, particularly with former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) authorities now merged to KP, community representatives and the Government of Pakistan.

The Team Leader will work with a multi-person team to monitor project activities that include, but are not limited to, small grants, technical assistance, and other support. The incumbent will also lead the process of securing government permissions to monitor CRA-N activities in the project areas. The project is initially being implemented across four of the newly merged districts namely Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram and North Waziristan, but includes also activities in Peshawar.

The duration of the short-term technical assistance monitoring assignment is from January 2019 through February 20, 2019. 

Responsibilities:

In coordination with the Assignment Manager, the Team Leader will:

·         Manage individual tasks among team members to ensure smooth delivery of the key deliverables to USAID;

·         Oversee the overall technical leadership and management of the assignment team, including any debriefs with USAID and finalizing the monitoring reports;

·         Take the lead in securing the permission(s) from relevant government offices, designing the monitoring, implementation and analysis plan and data collection instruments;

·         Ensure pre-testing data collection instruments; and developing site visits plans;

·         Provide high-level technical advice to the entire team on monitoring, applying monitoring methodology, and scheduling of respective site visits;

·         Liaising with host government counterparts and KIIs with government leads in the CRA-N focused areas of KP (as, and when, required).

·         Provide quality assurance review of the final report at the end of data collection.

·         Review background documents for the monitoring;

·         Participate in field-staff training to understand the monitoring purpose, scope, methodology, and data collection instruments;

·         Travel to the project locations and/or other offices to hold meetings as appropriate; and

·         Undertake other tasks as assigned by the assignment manager for the successful completion of the assignment.

Qualifications:

·         Extensive understanding of Government of Pakistan entities and processes of implementing small scale infrastructure investments, community mobilization and ‘soft’ activities including but not limited to livelihoods, civic engagement, and youth organization, particularly in the newly merged districts and KP.

·         At least a master’s degree in social sciences, international development or related field;

·         A minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in managing and implementing USAID or other international donors funded project, preferably in former FATA;

·         Demonstrated experience in working with government offices, and extensive knowledge and understanding of related processes;

·         Excellent MS Excel skills required;

·        Willingness and ability to travel within the newly merged districts;

·         Excellent analytical and personal communication skills; and

·         Fluent in written and spoken English.

·         Proficiency in speaking and understanding local language (Pushto), is a plus.

*Position will be filled on a rolling basis*

Candidates that have a real or potential conflict of interest in this monitoring will not be considered. MSI will require a written statement to this effect before formal engagement on this assignment. Conflict of interest in this context includes, but is not limited to: close and/or family relations with the individuals that are related to the project, financial interest in the implementing organization(s) or grantees, current or previous experience with the project being monitored or the USAID requesting office, etc.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.