Data Quality Assessment Expert (Short-Term) – USAID Mali Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Platform

Social Impact, Inc. (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, the 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.

** Please note, this is a local short-term technical assistance consultancy and only open to Malian citizens. **

Project Introduction

On November 10, 2022, USAID/Mali awarded the five-year Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform contract to SI. The purpose of the MEL Platform is to provide technical and advisory services to design and carry out various monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities for USAID/Mali. This contract has three major components: 1) USAID/Mali monitoring support through a Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) mechanism; 2) Evaluation Services and Surveys; and 3) Collaborating, Learning, and Adaptive Management and Communication Services.

The MEL Platform assists USAID/Mali and its partners to generate empirical data and to foster learning and knowledge management, through a participatory process to support stronger results and improve evidence-based programming. These efforts facilitate informed program management decisions, shape the long-term strategic direction of programs and decision-making within the Mission, and enable USAID/Mali to comply with USAID’s monitoring and evaluation guidance as mandated in the Automated Directives System (ADS), especially in ADS 201. The principal customers for this MEL Platform contract are USAID/Mali staff, other USG agencies, USAID implementing partners, Malian Government counterparts, and relevant offices in USAID/Washington.

Position Description

The short-term Data Quality Assessment (DQA) Expert consultant will work under the supervision of the MEL Platform Senior Evaluation Specialist in delivering an agreed number of USAID compliant data quality assessments, among a defined set of 19 performance indicators. In particular, the DQA Expert will assume DQA completion of an average of four indicators within a 20-day consultancy individual contract to be completed by March 25, close of business, in compliance with USAID ADS 201-specific requirements. Needed background and applying reference materials will be provided to the DQA Expert by Social Impact by day one of the consultancy. The expected level of effort for this position is 20 days.

Responsibilities

• Participate in-person in the DQAs work-completion weekly review with the MEL Platform Senior Evaluation Specialist.
• Participate in-person in a two-hour induction briefing on the consultancy scope of work, reference materials, timeline, and deliverables.
• Conform with consultancy work schedule, protocol, and deliverable requirements.
• Conduct desk review of assigned indicators materials and produce the table of missing information and needed verifications by implementing partner at the various level of the reporting chain.
• Design the tailored verification questionnaire needed to evidence the quality of reported data by assigned indicator.
• Formalize the DQA visit schedule, including its agenda, introductory material, list of needed respondents, and list of needed materials to be verified during the visit.
• Liaise with concerned partners to confirm schedule and attendance of the site visit.
• Complete in-person data quality verification during site visits, under the leadership and facilitation of the USAID representative and MEL Platform Senior Evaluation Specialist.
• Compile findings of the site visits by indicator and complete a draft version of the DQA checklist by indicator.
• Upon reception of the MEL Platform Senior Evaluation Specialist comments, amend and finalize the DQA checklist by indicator.
• Submit the final DQA checklist of assigned indicators.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in the delivery of satisfactory DQAs to USAID/Mali or its partners within the last five years (health, gender, youth, and science and technology indicators).
• Professional proficiency (Level III) in both French and English is required.
• Full in-person availability (and online if necessary) in Bamako between March 1 – March 25, 2024
• Candidates are kindly requested to provide a table of completed DQAs (including year, client, indicator name, and contact) and samples for the three most recent DQAs with their application.

Join our energetic and innovative team!  We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

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 regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.