USAID MEL-P: Research Assistant

 

Scope of Work

 

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Platform (MEL-P)

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

USAID Indonesia Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Penyehatan Lingkungan Untuk Semua (IUWASH PLUS) 

Final Performance Evaluation

 

Background

 

Panagora Group, a small business providing novel and integrated solutions in global health and international development, is supporting USAID/Indonesia to implement its new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) through a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Platform (MEL-P) Activity. MEL-P provides its services through five components: 1) monitoring support services, 2) designing and conducting performance and impact evaluations, 3) providing research, assessment, and data analysis, 4) providing consulting and advisory services and logistical support services, and 5) initiating collaboration, learning, and adapting activities. Along with enhancing MEL capability, we also promote use of the empirical evidence for programming, learning and adapting as USAID support the Government of Indonesia (GOI) with its Journey-to-Self-Reliance (J2SR).

 

Under MEL-P, Panagora has been assigned to conduct a final performance evaluation USAID’s IUWASH PLUS, which will end in February 2022. The IUWASH PLUS is designed to assist the GOI in increasing access to water supply and sanitation services as well as improving key hygiene behaviors among urban poor and vulnerable populations. The project works with the government, donor agencies, private sectors, NGOs, and communities in its implementation to achieve the objectives. In 2019, Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) signed a corporate agreement with USAID and contributed of $4.5million funding to IUWASH PLUS. The SECO contribution will address non-revenue water and energy efficiency issues by advancing the technical and financial performance of 7 water utilities (PDAMs) in West and Central Java. 

 

The purposes of this final evaluation are to: (1) assess the performance of USAID-SECO partnership program; (2) measure the project contribution for improving PDAM performance; (3) assess of IUWASH PLUS’s contribution in improving groundwater recharge and ensuring access to safe drinking water for the community; and (4) assess of IUWASH Plus’s contribution in improving WASH financing policies and regulation and increasing private sector investment in the sector. This evaluation will provide information to the Mission on the challenges faced, opportunities, and lessons-learned during implementation, which will support future program development    

 

Position Summary

 

MEL-P is seeking a Research Assistant for the upcoming USAID IUWASH PLUS final performance evaluation, to work under the leadership of the Evaluation Team Leader and Panagora. 

 

The assignment will require an estimated six to eight weeks of work in Jakarta, which will begin in June and extend to August 2021, with at least two weeks of travel outside Jakarta required. Remote coordination and data collection will be considered depending on Covid-19 restrictions and GOI policies and procedures. 

 

 

 

Responsibilities

Selected team members will participate in all aspects of the evaluation, and responsibilities will include:

• Providing support to develop of a rigorous evaluation methodology and work plan, including data collection instruments and a data analysis plan

·       Assisting the evaluation team in conducting primary as well as secondary data collection, including collecting and collating documents for desk reviews, setting up key informant interviews, scheduling focus group discussions and associated logistics, providing support to the development, deployment and collection of surveys and other project-specific data collection methodologies

·       Assisting the evaluation team in data processing and analysis, and maintaining records of data collection activities

·       Providing assistance regarding necessary field work and background research for the evaluation team

·       Taking notes and recording  every meeting and data gathering session, including interviews and group discussions

·       Providing administrative arrangements for field work of the evaluation team 

·       Arranging meeting space and other logistics necessary for the evaluation team in data collection and field work

·       Other tasks, as assigned by the Team Leader and Panagora

 

Qualifications

·       Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline

·       At least 5 years of professional experience supporting research activities

·       Excellent skills in MS Office, including Excel and PowerPoint

·       Proficiency in MS Project is an advantage

·       Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills

·       Strong attention to detail and ability to follow organization’s regulations and supervisor’s instructions

·       Ability to take initiative and complete work within tight deadlines

·       English fluency is an advantage

·       Open only to Indonesian citizens

 

Reporting 

The consultant will be supervised directly by the Evaluation Team Leader.

 

Period of Performance

The estimated level of effort for the STTA for Research Assistant will be 50 days. The duration of the assignment would intermittently cover the period May 25, 2021 to October 19, 2021.

 

How to Apply

Fill out the online application here. Please include a cover letter and resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please apply before April 16, 2021.  

No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Only applicants who include the required application components will be considered.  

Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  

*Note: Panagora does not offer visa sponsorship at this time.