Iraq: Impact Evaluation Consultant

Background/IRC Summary: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and is at work in over 40 countries .

In response to the influx and movement of IDPs in Iraq, the IRC provides emergency multi-purpose cash assistance to vulnerable IDPs and host communities through its Economic Recovery and Development Program. The objective of the program is life-saving response to meet urgent basic needs of IDPs and host communities in neglected areas of Iraq; this is expected to ultimately lessen the use of negative coping strategies for survival.

In February 2015, as the humanitarian crisis in Iraq unfolded and in an effort to harmonize cash transfer programming across humanitarian actors in Iraq, the idea of a consortium-based approach was born. After a number of initial discussions on the standardization of unconditional cash programming, the Cash Consortium of Iraq (CCI) was formally formed in March 2015. The CCI consists of four international organizations: Mercy Corps, serving as the lead agency; International Rescue Committee (IRC), serving as the MEAL lead; Danish Refugee Council (DRC); and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The main objective of the CCI is to fundraise, advocate for and implement multi- purpose cash programs to immediately respond to the needs of newly displaced, conflict-affected and extremely vulnerable households in Iraq.

Since its establishment, the CCI has worked to harmonize program design for unconditional cash programming including targeting, monitoring and evaluation, accountability and delivery mechanisms. With that, the evaluation consultant – in collaboration with the CCI Director and relevant CCI focal points – will lead on an evaluation of CCI programming and interventions funded by ECHO across all relevant geographies. This will include: the finalization of the scope of work with specific focus on targeted research questions the evaluation will seek to answer, the design of an appropriate mixed-methods evaluation methodology, data collection tools and analytical framework**. The aim of the evaluation is to identify shortcomings and successes in process and programme design and draft a set of recommendations on how to best address these.**

The evaluation consultant will be recruited and hosted by the IRC Iraq, but will be seconded, full-time, to the CCI, reporting to the CCI Director, until the evaluation is completed.

Deliverables:

• Developed set of evaluation questions and focus of research based on consultations with CCI stakeholders
• Developed methodology, data collection tools and analytical frameworks.
• Initial presentation of findings to be shared with CCI members and refined based on feedback
• Final report presenting findings and recommendations. The final report should include:
  • Background on evidence and best practice to date with cash programming and consortia approaches
  • Annex of tools and resources used in the evaluation

Job Requirements:

• Master of Arts or Science in Economics, Agriculture, Statistics, Computer Science or related field
• Demonstrated experience in conducting programme evaluations of this sort, information management, research and humanitarian assessments and monitoring and evaluation, preferably with experience in cash assistance programming, and experience with multi-stakeholder arrangements such as the CCI.
• Certification or specific training in Statistics and/or Data Management highly preferred, but can be supplemented with practical experience of information management and impact evaluations in humanitarian settings.
• Proficiency in the use of statistical methods for socio-economic research, with emphasis on applied quantitative and research methods. Substantial demonstrated experience in applied research methods and assessments in humanitarian and/or development settings.
• At least 5 years of relevant working experience in the areas of data science, information management and assessments, M&E.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementation of assessment, with strong emphasis on the research cycle (methodology and sampling design, research question development, questionnaire development, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience and capacity in coordinating field-level data collection and team oversight across multiple geographies.
• Excellent writing skills; able to convey complex technical ideas in simple, digestible terms to non-technical audiences.
• Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail in a complex, inter-agency setting.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility, ability to coordinate and build consensus.
• Personal qualities: works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Fluency in English required, written and oral; knowledge of Arabic preferred.

PREFERRED:

• Certification or specific training in Statistics, Information Management and/or Data Management
• INGO experience in humanitarian settings.
• Experience in writing and maintaining database design and documentation and operating manuals and SOPs

Working Environment: The Assignment is based in Erbil, Iraq; the consultant will be required to travel to project locations in Iraq.

http://chm.tbe.taleo.net/chm03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=14084