Evaluations Component Leader

Panagora Group is a U.S.-based company that provides technical and advisory services related to monitoring, evaluation, and learning from USAID/Colombia's strategy and activities. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Short-Term Activity (MELSA) provides services to support the monitoring, design and implementation of performance and impact evaluations, as well as research, supporting their use and dissemination, and developing collaboration, learning and adaptation initiatives. In addition, MELSA provides USAID/Colombia with geographic information services (GIS); and Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) activities in Colombia.

The services MELSA provides to USAID/Colombia will facilitate informed program management decision-making, determine long-term strategic program direction, and decision-making. Additionally, they will enable USAID/Colombia to comply with USAID's Evaluation Policy and Automated Systems Directives (ADS) 201 in Colombia.

Panagora Group is looking for a full-time Evaluation Component Leader to create and oversee MELSA's utilization-focused, high-quality, and rigorous evaluations, using evaluation designs that generate evidence-based results and reinforce programming, activity design, and strategy.

Job Description:

The Evaluation Leader will be responsible for directing the evaluations assigned by USAID/Colombia to MELSA in accordance with the provisions of the Activity Work Plan. This includes, but is not limited to, the supervision, direction, and comprehensive technical coordination of activities that comprise a baseline, performance or impact evaluation, such as the design of the evaluation, work plan, execution of the activities, including fieldwork operations for information collection, early and final reports, and evaluation services required by USAID/Colombia for MELSA.

Under the direction and leadership of the MELSA Chief of Party, the Evaluation Leader will work with the USAID/Colombia Contracts Officer Representative – TOCOR for MELSA, members of the USAID/Colombia technical offices, and representatives and team members of implementing partners of the activities assigned to MELSA from USAID/Colombia, if required. Similarly, to the extent required, the Evaluation Leader must work together with the team of the Panagora Headquarters.

The Evaluation Leader is ultimately responsible for the component and the information and reports it generates. Therefore, they must provide technical direction, advice, assistance and support to the teams of personnel, consultants, and subcontractors that are hired by Panagora for the execution of the assigned evaluations. The Evaluation Leader will be responsible for the technical supervision of the human resources and subcontractors made available to him/her.

Technical Responsibilities:
As the person integrally responsible for the evaluation component, its deliverables and other services provided within the framework of the execution of the evaluations assigned to MELSA by USAID/Colombia, the Evaluation Leader must:

Proactively coordinate with MELSA Chief of Party - COP, TOCOR, members of USAID/Colombia technical offices, and implementing partners, the implementation plans of the evaluations assigned to MELSA, from the scope of work (SOW) and the phases of design, methodologies, data collection, analysis, reporting, and the use and dissemination of results.Address the guidelines and recommendations issued by the TOCOR of USAID/Colombia, the Panagora Headquarters team, and the Chief of Party – COP and Deputy Chief of Party – DCOP of MELSA in the different aspects related to the implementation of the evaluations assigned to MELSA by USAID/Colombia.Request prior authorization from the Chief of Party – COP and the Deputy Chief of Party – DCOP of MELSA to make decisions related to the allocation of resources, scope and execution deadlines of the assigned evaluations, before being shared with USAID/Colombia, the Implementing Partner, and other stakeholders, including the assigned work team and subcontractors.Provide leadership, support, and guidance to the evaluation component of MELSA during the life cycle (beginning to end) of each of the evaluations assigned by USAID/Colombia.Actively participate in each of the stages that comprise the evaluation life cycle (from the definition of the Scope (SoW) to the definition and implementation of the Strategy for the Use and Dissemination of the results).Define the resources required for execution, guaranteeing the required conditions of quality and promptness. This includes, but is not limited to:
Determine the personnel required and their profiles for the execution of the evaluation.Determine the level of effort required, as well as the total duration of each of the members of the work team.Develop the Terms of Reference in the formats and languages established by Panagora for the hiring of consultants, including the responsibilities, deliverables and implementation schedule required for the correct execution of each evaluation.When the outsourcing of a firm is required to achieve the scopes defined in a particular evaluation, lead the development of the terms of reference that must be included in the Request for Proposal (RFP) document. This includes, but is not limited to:
Definition of the technical, personnel, and operational requirements that the firm to be selected must meet to guarantee the execution of the subcontracted activities with the opportunity and quality required by Panagora.Provide technical assistance and advice to the Contracts Management and the Sub-Chief of Party – DCOP of Panagora/MELSA in the determination of the execution schedules and estimated budget for subcontracting.Ensure that the members of the short- and long-term evaluation and investigation team recruited under this contract are of a high level and possess the necessary technical expertise.Review, issue comments and/or approval of the deliverables received by consultants and subcontractors assigned to each evaluation executed by MELSA.Recommend, report and execute the required actions when, in the execution of the evaluations assigned to MELSA, delays, unexpected situations and/or out of control occur, which may affect the fulfillment of MELSA's goals and deadlines.Actively collaborate in the preparation of the different periodic contractual reports from MELSA to USAID/Colombia, providing the necessary inputs and information on the activities related to the evaluation component. Operational Responsibilities: Fully comply with the processes and procedures established by Panagora for the execution of MELSA.Support the Sub-Chief of Party – DCOP and the Administrative and Financial Management in the different operational processes assigned to the area, including:
Support the projection of monthly resources that allow MELSA's financial obligations and performance indicators to be met.Monitor and manage promptness in the collection processes of consultants and subcontractors when products and deliverables are approved and received to satisfaction.Coordinate the opportunity in the different requests for trips and events charged to the component.Support Human Resources Management in the recruitment processes of long-term personnel and consultants required by MELSA for the assigned evaluations. This includes:
Initiate the selection processes for personnel and consultants.Support Human Resources Management in the preliminary selection of Resumes of candidates to be interviewed.Arrange the spaces in the agenda for timely interviews.Select the candidate who is the most suitable for the position and inform Human Resources Management for processing the hiring process.As designated technical supervisor for the consultants and subcontractors assigned to the Evaluations Component, accompany and support the MELSA Contract Management in the contractual management. These responsibilities include:
Inform and deliver the required documents in a timely manner, the needs for modification to the contracts of consultants and subcontractors when extensions in time are required.Inform the Contracts Management of Panagora/MELSA of situations that arise with consultants and subcontractors that may affect the execution of the assigned evaluations.RequirementsA master's degree in economics, social sciences, statistics, or related fields.At least ten years of progressive experience in designing, executing, managing, and analyzing the results of performance and impact evaluations of development projects.Experience in conducting evaluations in non-permissive environments and conflict zones, preferably in Colombia and/or the South American region, is desirable.Ability to quickly and effectively assemble and manage highly qualified cross-functional teams to implement detailed, organized, timely and accurate M&E programs.At least five years of experience in the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data for evaluations, including experience with sampling methods, database management, and statistical analysis.Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and lead for all levels of staff (employees and consultants).Familiarity with USAID's goals, approaches, and operations, especially as it relates to monitoring, evaluation, and learning.Excellent quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.Experience in writing and finalizing evaluation reports.Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of economic, environmental, social, cultural, and political conditions and environments, among others in Colombia is desirable.At least five years of experience leading evaluation teams or research teams.Excellent team management and interpersonal relationship skills.If you are interested in this position, it is mandatory that you upload your labor certificates and proof of education in the Attachment Information. Only candidates who have attached these documents will be reviewed.
If you do not hear back from Panagora after two weeks, we thank you for your application and understanding that we have moved forward with another candidate.

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.

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