Chief of Party, USAID/PLR Research and Analytics for Development (RAD) Contract, United States
Social Impact (SI) 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, 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:
SI is preparing a proposal response for a five-year USAID/PLR contract to provide USAID and other stakeholders globally with high quality research analytical products to inform strategy development, program design, program adaptation, and related planning and decision-making processes. Services will include:
- Analytical work, probabilistic (representative) surveys
- Specialized research and evaluation, including RCTs
- Systematic reviews, evidence syntheses, evidence gap maps
- Generative artificial information (AI) capability (large language model)
- Other studies as needed (longitudinal analyses, panel surveys, etc.)
- Facilitation of learning activities and dissemination of learning products
Anticipated award date is late summer 2023.
Position Description:
Social Impact is seeking a Research Director/Chief of Party (RD/COP) to provide the overall management, vision and leadership of PLR RAD, including overall activity management and overseeing operations and support.
This is a full-time position for the duration of the activity, and will be based in the United States, contingent upon contract award.
**Please note: Candidates must be based in the United States with US work authorization. Candidates based in the Washington, D.C. area are encouraged to apply.**
Responsibilities:
- Provide overall and day-to-day management of contract performance of the Contract and coordination and communications with USAID.
- Serve as the primary Social Impact liaison with the USAID COR as it relates to all aspects of the Contractor’s responsibilities under this contract.
- Oversight of research, analytical, and evaluation tasks, including impact evaluations, RCTs, and quantitative analysis projects in the DRG sector.
- Effectively manage high-volume, fast-turnaround, and complex evidence generation and evidence use tasks across diverse countries and contexts.
- Ensure rigor, creativity, innovation, and appropriate ethical standards in study designs, implementation, and dissemination to fully meet stakeholder utilization needs.
- Use data and evidence to foster a project culture of continuous communication, learning and improvement.
- Provide overall management of contract team members, consultants, and subcontractors.
- Provide effective, efficient, and timely implementation of contract tasks in compliance with the contract.
- Responsible for overall project leadership, management, and quality control.
- Must rapidly allocate high-quality staff to meet all activities.
Qualifications:
- PhD in a relevant field such as: democracy, governance, evaluation, research, econometrics, political science, etc.
- At least ten years of experience in performance and impact evaluation, research, field surveys, assessments, and other analytical services. This experience should include strong quantitative analysis skills and knowledge of DRG development programming.
- Demonstrated leadership, management, and operational experience in overseeing multiple tasks and priorities at the same time, and effectively determining priority actions. This includes experience managing large-scale, worldwide research and analytical programs with time sensitive deliverables, as well as people management skills.
- Demonstrated team management skills to deliver high volume of tasks to USAID.
- Experience leading and/or overseeing rigorous research activities (e.g., randomized controlled trials or other rigorous impact evaluations, systematic reviews or similar evidence synthesis activities). Experience with diverse types of evaluation and research methodologies, preferred.
- Prior experience as Research Director and/or Chief of Party of research and/or evaluation contracts funded through USAID.
- Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations (ADS, FAR).
- A commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive work and learning environment.
To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com.
SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.