ICYD Evaluation Research Assistants at QED Group (USAID Learning Activity, ULA)

QED is a global consulting firm with more than 20 years of experience providing data-driven and insightful solutions in close to 100 countries. We are passionate about transforming lives through knowledge-based solutions. Leveraging deep expertise in monitoring, evaluation, global health, and learning, we help our clients collect, analyze, visualize, and ultimately use data in more effective ways. Our work maximizes results through the use of cutting-edge technologies and innovation, organizational development, and evidence-based decision-making.

The purpose of the USAID Learning Activity (ULA) is to further strengthen USAID/Uganda performance and improve the performance of its implementing partners, with a focus on collaborating, learning, and adapting, in order to enhance the impact and sustainability of USAID-supported contributions to Uganda’s development. ULA will achieve this through three objectives:

• Collaboration: Strengthened collaboration, both internally and with external stakeholders, enables USAID to better leverage expertise, learning, and resources; and deepens local ownership.
• Learning: Systematic learning, through applied research, monitoring, and evaluation, informs and improves the relevance, quality, and cost- effectiveness of programs and operations.
• Performing: Adaptive management of program implementation and meta-level interventions to improve the quality of USAID program outcomes.

The USAID Integrated Child and Youth Development (ICYD) Activity is a five year contract (August 2020 – August 2025) administered by the office of Education, Youth and Child Development (EYCD) and implemented by the Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC). The purpose of the Activity is to deliver basic education and OVC services to children and youth in target districts across Uganda by strengthening young people’s ability to critically engage with their environment, address their health and safety needs, and make it more likely to reach their potential. The Activity has three mutually reinforcing objectives: 1) Children and youth have improved learning outcomes; 2) Children and youth are protected, safe, and healthy in their homes, communities, and learning environments; 3) Youth practice positive behaviors and make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

The mid-term performance evaluation seeks to support adaptive management of ICYD Activity by offering insights into the implementation strengths, opportunities, challenges, and solutions to inform which interventions should be fortified and scaled up, modified, or dropped. This will help to increase the current Activity’s relevance to the Ugandan development context, its effectiveness in moving the needle towards the growth of its education system, and the efficiency of its operations, as well as provide information for future designs.

The evaluation will focus on two ICYD’s objectives:

1. Children and youth have improved learning outcomes,
2. Youth practice positive behaviors and make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

The mid-term performance evaluation seeks to support adaptive management of the ICYD Activity by offering insights into the implementation effectiveness and efficiency of intervention approaches of the mechanism for the current and future activity designs.

Period of Performance:

July – August 2023

Position Overview:

The Research Assistants will support data collection for the ICYD Mid-Term Evaluation.

Level of Effort Expectations:

This position is expected to have an LOE of 15 days.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct FGDs in sample schools and communities with youth, IPs, private sector actors, and local community leaders.
• Conduct KIIs with teachers and head teachers (on training, materials, timeliness of distribution, support, etc.).
• Collect records of class and school registers.
• Transcribe FGDs and KIIs.
• Enter quantitative data into pre-designed data capturing templates.

Requirements:

• Degree holder with at least five years of experience in conducting FGDs and KIIs, note taking, and transcribing.
• Experience interviewing diverse populations, including children and youth.

Please note that applications submitted by other means; or without either a resume/CV and/or biodata may not be considered. Only finalists will be contacted; no phone calls please.

A submitted application to QED in response to a position on a bid or proposal, indicates your agreement to be included in our submission to the client at least on an illustrative named basis.

The QED Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. AA/V/D. Reasonable accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY