Principal Evaluation Research Fellow

Job Title: Principal Evaluation Research Fellow


MINISTRY/ DEPT: Office of the Prime Minister,

Directorate of Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation

REPORTS TO: Principal Economist, 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.

2. 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. 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.



DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Provide technical guidance in the conducting and/or management of evaluations that are impartial, independent, and credible and meet the guidelines and professional standards set by the Office.

o Carry out evaluations of programs, policies and cross-cutting themes and lead evaluation teams.

o Supervise effectively evaluations conducted by consultants.

o Ensure that evaluations meet high professional standards in line with Evaluation Policy

o Ensure that up-to-date evaluation techniques and approaches are applied.

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

o Prepare reports to management on findings, recommendations and lessons learned of strategic importance.

o Ensure that evaluation results taken into account for the design and appraisal of strategies, policies and new projects/programmes.

o Ensure that management respond to recommendations and monitor the follow up on evaluations.

3. Promote the evaluation function in the OPM and across Government.

o Design and implement Evaluation Capacity Development (ECD) within the Evaluation Office and in other organizational units. For example identify major public sector reforms that might support performance measures; prepare a realistic evaluation capacity development action plan

o Contribute to the development and review of policies, guidance, systems, procedures and tools related to evaluation.

o Ensure continuous methodological improvement of and support to self-evaluation, monitoring and Results Based Management (RBM) System.

4. Effective establish and deploy human and financial resources of the Evaluation facility

o Assist in the development of the work program of the evaluation facility

o Assist in planning the human and financial resources needed for a fully operational evaluation function.

o Select and supervise evaluation consultants

o Supervise and coach staff and assist in management of Evaluation Office.

Principal Evaluation Research Fellow 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.

o Management: Has competencies in coaching and training staff on technical, interpersonal and management skills.

o 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.

o Fluency in English.

Education and Experience

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

o A minimum of 10 years professional experience in evaluation.

o Background in international relations and knowledge of current development issues an asset.

o 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