Agriculture Sector Specialist/Market Systems Expert/Field Researcher

CAMRIS International

USAID’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Project, Nepal

CAMRIS International is an international development and research firm that realizes innovative solutions to development challenges through high-quality, cost-effective program and research management services. With experience working in more than 80 countries, we combine our proven systems with today’s most effective, evidence-based best practices to improve the lives of people around the world.

CAMRIS International implements USAID/Nepal’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Activity a five-year project. The Nepal MEL Activity assists the Mission in planning, designing, conducting, disseminating, and learning from more rigorous monitoring and evaluation of development activities. This includes designing and implementing both quantitative and qualitative evaluations and assessments, as well as providing expert analysis and technical assistance to USAID/Nepal’s programs. The Nepal MEL Activity has three major components:

• Component 1: Support greater rigor and coherence in USAID/Nepal’s M&E efforts
• Component 2: Design and conduct analyses, evaluations, surveys, studies, and assessments
• Component 3: Support improved knowledge management within the Mission

In support of the CAMRIS-implemented, USAID/Nepal Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Activity, we seek short term consultants for the upcoming Midterm Evaluation of USAID/Nepal’s Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) project, which facilitates sustainable increases in national crop productivity and works to improve economic welfare and household-level food security in 21 districts in Nepal. The purpose of this evaluation is to better understand the extent to which aspects of the NSAF’s theory of change still hold, and to verify the performance of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) according to its agreement parameters. Findings from the evaluation will be used to strengthen current activities, plan for future activities, and provide evidence of good practices to the broader stakeholder network in Nepal. This short-term assignment will be based in Kathmandu with extensive field visit and expected to start from October till March 2019.

1. Position Title: Agriculture Sector Specialist (1)

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and strategic support to the evaluation team leader.
• Assist in the process of drafting and finalizing the evaluation design, data collection instruments, data analysis plan, data collection plan, workplan, and data collection tools, briefing(s), and the evaluation report.
• Assist in the coding and analysis of data.
• Assist in briefing(s) and drafting the PowerPoint presentation and evaluation report.
• Collaborate closely with other evaluation team members and CAMRIS Kathmandu staff.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience as a Senior Officer or Researcher working in the agribusiness and agriculture sector (areas of seed and fertilizer preferred) in Nepal or other parts of Asia.
• Proven experience of working and understanding of the seed and fertilizer system in Nepal.
• Experience in gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)/ and/or extensive knowledge about GESI issues in Nepal.
• Extensive experience working with USAID or other donor agencies, ideally at least one third party performance evaluation
• A postgraduate degree in business, agricultural economics, agronomy or a related field, from a recognized national or international university.
• At least 5 years of experience serving as a senior technical expert in agriculture sector evaluations and assessments for USAID or other donor entities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; writing samples, and three professional references, will be requested.

Interested qualified applicants are requested to apply by August 16, 2018 at the following link: https://careers-camris.icims.com/jobs/3717/agriculture-sector-specialist/job

2. Position Title: Market Systems Expert (1)

Responsibilities

• Work with the evaluation team to develop an evaluation methodology to assess how the project has affected women and other marginalized/vulnerable groups.
• Assist with the coding and analysis of data.
• Contribute to the formulation of appropriate strategies and recommendations.
• Provide timely information and responses to inquiries.
• Assist in the briefing(s) and in the drafting of the PowerPoint presentation and evaluation report.
• Liaise with CAMRIS Kathmandu staff.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of working and understanding of the seed and fertilizer market system in Nepal
• Experience in gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)/inclusive market development and/or inclusive agriculture policy.
• A master’s degree or higher in a social science or relevant subject area, preferably agriculture
• At least five years of experience as a member of an evaluation team, ideally at least one third party evaluation experience of USAID funded program
• An extensive knowledge about inclusive market systems and GESI issues in Nepal.
• Previous experience with USAID is highly preferred.

Interested qualified applicants are requested to apply by August 16, 2018 at the following link https://careers-camris.icims.com/jobs/3733/market-systems-expert/job

3. Field Researchers (3 Positions)

Responsibilities

• Support the research team in planning, coordinating, and conducting meetings at the central, regional, and district levels with relevant stakeholders.
• Assist/conduct key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with relevant stakeholders in the field.
• Support coordination and timely functioning of all travel expenses/logistics and other logistics as needed for the effective implementation of the evaluation.
• Support the team in collating, transcribing, translating data gathered from KIIs and FGDs.
• Support data coding as needed.
• Conduct any other tasks as required during the fieldwork.
• Translating, transcribing into English and Nepali, as required.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, preferably in agriculture development studies, from a recognized national or international university and at least three years of experience working in the development sector, preferably with a focus on agriculture; or a bachelor’s degree with at least eight years of experience.
• Experience working with international organizations and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Tharu and Abadhi local languages.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Proven skills utilizing software applications, such as MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Interested qualified applicants are requested to apply by August 16, 2018 at the following link https://careers-camris.icims.com/jobs/3734/field-researchers/job