Assistant Research Fellow Evaluation- Job in Uganda

Job Title: Assistant Research Fellow Evaluation

POSITION: (1) Assistant Research Fellow Evaluation

MINISTRY/ DEPT: Office of the Prime Minister,

Directorate of Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation

REPORTS TO: Researcher, Department of Monitoring and Evaluation

START DATE: Contract, 1 year, renewable

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 The Government of Uganda (GoU) is committed to achieving results through the efficient and effective delivery of key public services, maintaining law and order and in facilitating the transformation of the economy to enable the private sector to flourish, to expand enterprise and ultimately ensure the prosperity of Ugandans. These objectives are outlined in Uganda’s five year National Development Plan (2010/11-2014/15), which targets an increase in per capita income from USD 506 in 2008/09 to USD 850 in 2014/15 and a decline in the proportion of the population living in poverty from 31 per cent in 2005/06 to 24.5% in 2014/15. The Plan aims to achieve this through addressing structural bottlenecks in the economy and increasing public investment to infrastructure, human resource development, facilitating access to critical production inputs in agriculture and industry, and promoting science, technology and innovation.

1.2 Over the past two decades, Uganda has made good progress following the unstable political situation and economic mismanagement that characterised the 1970s. The improvements in welfare and well-being have in-part been possible through Government action and reform. However, impediments remain, which in part reflect slow public sector reform,. Corruption and mismanagement, lack of clear lines of accountability, and poor workmanship have all contributed to the instability, and in some cases decline in public services. The public administration has been challenged to effectively measure, analyze, improve and control its own performance. Its failure to effectively measure and manage performance is in part responsible for the challenges identified.

1.3 Since 2003, the Office of the Prime Minister has been mandated by the Constitution (Article 108A) to coordinate and implement Government policies across Ministries, Departments and other Public Institutions. To fulfill this mandate, OPM works in harmony with other Government line Ministries, Departments and Agencies to achieve the Government’s objectives articulated in the NRM’s Manifesto, the National Development Plan, and the annual budget.

1.4 The Prime Minister, and his office, is in charge of ensuring that Government works, that – through a cycle of policy development – coordination – monitoring and follow-up – Government improves, and delivers results. Through the Directorate of Policy Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation, the OPM’s objectives are to: drive delivery of the top priorities of the Government; assess and report on the performance of Government against a full-range of sector performance targets; provide analytical support and recommendations to overcome key delivery challenges; provide support that accelerates delivery capacity in MDAs and sustains continual improvement – help removing obstacles to delivery; and develop the performance management policy and framework of Government

Responsibilities and Functions

1. Assist with conducting and/or managing evaluations that are impartial, independent, credible and meet professional standards.

o Participate in the evaluation of programmes and projects;

o Assist in the planning, preparation and data collection process of evaluation exercises;

o Support evaluations conducted by staff members and consultants;

o Apply evaluation quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis tools, techniques and approaches;

o Keep abreast of developments in the area of evaluation including formal training on evaluation techniques and approaches.

2. Promote that evaluations are useful and that evaluation findings and recommendations are followed up.

o Ensure appropriate presentation of evaluation results for dissemination;

o Ensure that data-bases, intra- and internet pages of the evaluation office are up-to-date, useful and user-friendly;

o Assist in the monitoring of the management response and follow up on evaluations;

o Participate in meetings, workshops and other discussion fora to establish a dialogue on evaluation results.

3. Contribute to the promotion of evaluation principles and utilization in the Organization.

o Review evaluation reports for quality control purposes;

o Assist in the provision of training on evaluation, self-evaluation, monitoring and results based management within the Evaluation Office and in other organizational units;

o Assist in providing support/ advice to project/programme managers in the conduct of monitoring and self-evaluations.

4. Contribute to the effective deployment of human and financial resources of the Evaluation Office.

o Assist in evaluation planning and preparation of evaluation budgets for individual evaluations.

Evaluation Officer will perform other related duties and assignments as and when required.

Required competencies

 Knowledge of Government context and topics: Has knowledge of the role Government and its MDAs and other institutions in Policy and Program evaluations. Has competencies to provide supervision to evaluation staff in the evaluation of topic-related activities, projects and programmes. Has a comprehensive knowledge of major program budgets, and good knowledge of inspection topic budgets.

o Technical and professional skills:

1) Evaluation design – Has the required competencies to develop a well-focused Terms of Reference that includes a complete background, addresses salient issues, and identifies potential impact. Has a good understanding of various methodologies in evaluation, such as surveys, record reviews, focus groups and case studies and is able to contribute to the development of the most efficient and effective methodology for the design. Has a good understanding of various sampling techniques and their applications and is able to develop the most accurate sampling technique for the methodology.

2) Data collection and analysis – Has the required competencies to collect reliable, valid and accurate information in an objective way. Has a good understanding of questionnaire design. Develops questionnaires and other review instruments that will address issues identified in the design, independently. Has a comprehensive understanding of the uses and limits of various methods available for quantitative analysis, including frequencies, cross tabulations, and statistical testing. Masters effective interviewing skills.Has the skills to use programme data and documents and to design and conduct case studies independently. Is able to guide and direct junior staff in data collection and to ensure the data analysis addresses evaluation issues. Can use innovative and creative analysis techniques and exercise sound professional judgment on complex issues and evaluation matters.

o Oral and written communication skills:

Has the required competencies to: articulate relevant subject matter in a clear and concise way; pose basic questions and contribute information appropriately in formal settings; conceptualize ideas and issues during the evaluation reporting process, with independence. Uses critical thinking to formulate findings and recommendations based on the results of both qualitative and quantitative data, and the broader context of evaluation issues. Is able to develop clear, concise and compelling evaluation reports for maximum impact.Is able to independently develop evaluation reports that meet UNEG reporting standards.Is able to guides and direct evaluation staff in reporting.

o Evaluation process and project management:

Masters the skills of evaluation management, including developing a plan and schedule, assigning tasks, ensuring milestones are met on a timely basis, ensuring project costs are within and approved budget and ensuring evaluation objectives are adequately addressed. Is able to independently assume responsibility for managing complex evaluation projects and to supervise evaluation team members. Is able to oversee and lead overall evaluation follow-up and take the lead on disseminating best practices and lessons learned from evaluations. Has the skills to manage multiple, concurrent evaluation projects and to negotiate in complex situations outside the agency on issues related to evaluations and conflict resolution skills. Is able to take a leadership role in the evaluation office and maintains accountability for office work.

Management: Has competencies in coaching and training staff on technical, interpersonal and management skills. Ethics: Acts according to the standards of ethical conduct for evaluators, including policies on receiving and giving gifts, conflicting financial interests, outside employment and activities, misuse of position, impartiality in performing official duties and related statutory authorities. Acts with integrity and honesty in relationships with all stakeholders.

 Fluency in English.

Education and Experience

 Advanced university degree in social science or related field, or combination of first level degree with relevant experience;

 A minimum of 2 years professional experience in evaluation;

 Background in international relations and knowledge of current development issues an asset;

 Experience related to the Organization’s mandate and activities an asset.


If you believe you have the relevant qualifications and experience, please send your application to the address below not later than 4.00 p.m, Monday 9th May 2011. Provide a detailed CV demonstrating possession of the job requirements, current position, names and addresses of three referees, copies of professional/Academic documents, email address, and day time telephone contact.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

THE DIRECTOR,

PILA Consultants,

P.O. Box 9092, Kampala

Plot 649 Nanfumbambi Road, KikoniMakerere West

Tel: +256-312 275 892, Mob: +256-779-291617

E-mail: pila2consultants@gmail.com