Senior Evaluation Specialist, 3ie
1. Background
The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) is a mission-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to using evidence to transform people’s lives in low- and middle-income countries. We are the global leader in funding, producing, and synthesizing high-quality evidence of what works, for whom, how, why and at what cost. We believe better policy-relevant evidence will make development more effective and we help strengthen evaluation cultures and evidence use for better-informed choices among policymakers, decision-makers, and others. 3ie is a registered non-governmental organization in the US, with offices in New Delhi, London and Washington, DC.
Our Evidence for Policy and Learning (EPL) office leads the development of 3ie’s approaches to providing practical, responsive, tailored solutions to evidence partners and the development of evidence-based approaches to strengthening institutional evidence cultures, as well as building on and complementing 3ie’s core strengths in impact evaluation and evidence synthesis.
We invite applications for the post of Senior Evaluation Specialist (SES) in the EPL Office for work on policy-oriented research, analysis, and evaluation. The position will report to the Director -EPL and will be expected to collaborate with colleagues across different time zones (USA, UK and India). The preferred location of work is the US, although for the right candidate this is negotiable.
2. Summary
The SES will provide technical and management leadership of and support for a range of evidence needs for decision-makers, including problem analyses, scenario modeling, formative, process, and rapid cycle evaluation, impact evaluation and evidence synthesis. This includes leading in-house research projects, quality-assuring 3ie-funded studies, writing program documents, managing external reviewers, supporting the preparation of proposal materials for fundraising, and reviewing grant proposals.
The SES is expected to assume full day-to-day management responsibility for programs of work and conduct research, provide technical assistance for capacity development, and write content for publications, social media, and 3ie’s website. They will lead and/or participate in high-level events, conferences, and workshops. In various capacities, the SES communicates and negotiates directly with funders and represents 3ie to policymakers and researchers.
The successful candidate will have significant and broad-based experience, applying a range of methodologies – including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods – to evaluate development policies and programs. Experience in impact evaluation and/or evidence synthesis is highly desirable. The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in implementing research and translating research evidence for decision-makers in L&MICs.
They will supervise and mentor junior staff and work in a matrixed environment, maintaining strong and collaborative relations with staff across 3ie offices, with researchers and other stakeholders in the field and with 3ie members located in L&MICs. Depending on project needs, some international and domestic travel may be expected.
3. Key responsibilities
3.1 Research, review, and translation for a policy audience
- Act as the lead investigator on in-house research across a range of development sectors, including but not limited to, health, education, climate change, nutrition, gender, and related social sector programs, among others.
- Provide peer review and quality assurance for 3ie-funded studies;
- Assist in the management of technical assistance projects, including writing specifications for professional service contracts, recruiting consultants, standardizing products and reports and quality assuring products and services; and
- Lead on providing technical assistance to key 3ie stakeholders, on topics, including but not limited to capacity development, evaluation methods and study design, synthesis and reviews, research transparency initiatives, and evidence uptake and use.
3.2 Project management and grant administration and management
- Manage programs and projects and support research and professional services
- grants and contracts to ensure the strategic, programmatic, technical, financial, and contractual integrity from project start-up through implementation and completion;
- Ensure – in collaboration with 3ie staff who are managing programs – that grant and contract implementation and spending are aligned with approved budgets, workplans and 3ie policies and practices;
- Recruit, onboard, manage, and supervise staff and consultants, as required; and
- Mentor junior staff, as needed.
3.3 Institutional advancement and communication
- Represent 3ie in evaluation and development fora, including technical working-
- groups and donor, bilateral, and multilateral consultative groups and meetings;
- Strengthen and build relationships with 3ie’s key stakeholders, including members, donors, policymakers and researchers;
- Lead and contribute to technical reports, publications, briefs, blogs, website content, and other social media on evidence programs and professional services
3.4 Business Development
- Engage in strategic growth and diversification of 3ie initiatives to cultivate donors, develop partnerships, write technical proposals, and support innovations in program development.
- Lead the preparation of proposal materials for fundraising, writing program documents and reviewing grant proposals.
4. Qualifications and skills
Essential
- Post-graduate degree in public health, health systems, economics, demography or another relevant social science field with a strong quantitative focus; a doctorate is strongly preferred;
- Advanced knowledge of the evidence-informed decision-making field, with a strong foundation in causal inference and familiarity with other research paradigms;
- Expertise in theory-based, mixed-method research designs, preferably including demonstrated expertise in designing gender-responsive and equity- focused research;
- Advanced knowledge of statistical software packages (STATA, Python, or R);
- Program management experience outside of research study management, with grants management experience strongly preferred;
- Demonstrated experience working successfully with high-level officials in funding agencies, international organizations, private foundations and government ministries;
- Strong knowledge of social sector programming in L&MICs, as demonstrated by relevant publication record and/or in-country residential experience;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with demonstrated experience communicating with different audiences.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the flexibility and willingness to adapt to shifting weekly priorities and deadlines; Experience working and managing staff in a matrix environment; and excellent cross-cultural skills and diplomacy, and a reputation for being a strategic thinker and innovator.
Desirable
- French and/or Spanish professional proficiency;
- Experience managing research grants;
- Residential experience working in program evaluation and research in L&MICs; Experience in L&MIC policy development and/or policy implementation at either the national or sub-national level;
- Experience supporting new business activities and demonstrated ability to write technical proposals across one or more sectors;
- Training and/or relevant demonstrated experience in the theory and methods for capacity development (e.g., adult learning, mentoring, peer learning, organizational change) in monitoring and evaluation and evidence use, preferably in L&MICs;
- Familiarity with qualitative research tools.
- Technical experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable: Theory of Change and logic model development, survey methodology, and data collection management. data science methods, including data wrangling, exploratory analysis on large data sets, machine learning, text mining; geographic information systems, remote sending, and spatial analysis; costing, cost-effectiveness analysis, and cost-benefit analysis.
5. Eligibility
We will recruit one individual, preferably with the right to work in the UK/ India/ USA. We are open to considering applicants who are based outside of these countries, and willing to work remotely from their home country, while maintaining core hours conducive to working with colleagues in London, Delhi and Washington DC.
3ie is an equal opportunity employer committed to equality and diversity. We do not discriminate based on sex, age, religion, ethnicity, caste, sexual orientation or for being differently abled. We particularly encourage ethnic minorities and differently abled persons to apply.
6. Terms of Employment
Candidates should be available to start work at the earliest. 3ie offers competitive remuneration based on location, experience and qualifications. Our policies and procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse. We follow a zero-tolerance policy for any form of bullying or harassment in the workplace.
7. How to apply
Apply via 3ie’s website: https://3ieimpact.org/jobs
Applications submitted via Handshake will not be reviewed.
Your application package must include the following*:
- A cover letter, highlighting your experience relevant to the terms of reference. Please include information about your work authorization for the US/UK/ India. Please attach a writing sample (preferably a sample of a proposal, research paper, or any other technical document that you alone authored) as an annexure to your covering letter;
- Curriculum vitae along with names and contact information for at least three professional references.
*Incomplete applications will not be considered
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with the initial review starting 16th November 2023.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.