MSI, a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, DC metro area international development firm with a 35-year history of delivering development results across the world. Our core expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation (M&E), institutional development, public sector management, governance and anti-corruption. MSI implements nearly 100 projects in 90 countries around the world such as Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Mexico. As one of the leading companies in our field, MSI has partnered with more than 80 organizations across all sectors of international development with clients ranging from large bilateral and multilateral donors such as USAID, the World Bank and the UNDP to national and local governments, NGOs, think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.
Project Summary:
MSI is conducting an evaluation of the School Construction Component of UNICEF's Child Friendly Schools program (SCC-CFS) in 35 schools across 5 districts in Malawi.The objectives of this evaluation are to determine how the SCC-CFS program affects the target schools in the following three areas:
MSI is conducting an evaluation of the School Construction Component of UNICEF's Child Friendly Schools program (SCC-CFS) in 35 schools across 5 districts in Malawi.The objectives of this evaluation are to determine how the SCC-CFS program affects the target schools in the following three areas:
- Access to quality basic education for all (i.e., enrollment, dropout, and completion).
- Learning environment (i.e., attitudes).
- Learner outcomes, standards, and capacity enhancement.
We will also examine these outcomes in a sample of 35 comparison schools where the CFS program has not been implemented to better understand if and how the SCC-CFS program impacted children.
To better understand how this program has impacted children, as well as the emotions and experiences of other key stakeholders, the study will rely upon primarily qualitative methods. Specifically, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) involving education managers at district and school level, head teachers, teachers, parents/community members, and students will be conducted. The objective of these qualitative activities is to allow stakeholders to express their attitudes and perceptions of access to educational opportunities, school environment, and quality of education due to the SCC-CFS program.
Please note: Only Malawian citizens are eligible for this position.
Position Summary:
Data collection specialists are responsible for organizing and conducting qualitative data collection activities with selected stakeholders, under the supervision of an MSI project advisor based in Lilongwe. They will also be responsible for recording and submitting qualitative data in the required format to the project manager. Data collection specialists must adhere to data collection standards to ensure the information they collect is accurate – the standards, procedures and protocols required for this evaluation will be presented and discussed during an in-depth training in July 2016. The data collection specialists will report to the MSI team leads.
Data collection specialists are responsible for organizing and conducting qualitative data collection activities with selected stakeholders, under the supervision of an MSI project advisor based in Lilongwe. They will also be responsible for recording and submitting qualitative data in the required format to the project manager. Data collection specialists must adhere to data collection standards to ensure the information they collect is accurate – the standards, procedures and protocols required for this evaluation will be presented and discussed during an in-depth training in July 2016. The data collection specialists will report to the MSI team leads.
Responsibilities:
- Participate in one week, in-depth training workshop on evaluation objectives, data collection methods, protocols and procedures (mid-July 2016, dates tbd)
- Coordinate with MSI supervisor and data collection team on how to carry out the data collection activities and report daily work
- Conduct and complete school visits and data collection activities across 70 schools in 5 districts (July 18 – August 26, 2016)
- Report qualitative data in required format to MSI supervisor within data collection period
- Ensure adherence to MSI's code of conduct/UNICEF standards .
Qualifications:
- At least 5 years previous experience in field data collection, including focus group discussions or individual interviews with primary school children, parents/community members and/or teachers
- Familiarity or prior work experience for the government, UN, or international development organizations
- Advanced level certificate in social sciences or related field (university education desired)
- Familiarity with the national goals and standards of Malawi's primary education system
- Excellent English writing and speaking skills; fluency in local language, as required
- Must possess good communication and facilitation skills, and be detail oriented
- Strong word processing skills, previous experience in qualitative data capture/entry using MS Word
- Able to remain objective during data collection activities and maintain confidentiality of sensitive data
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.
MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.
