TEAM LEAD FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ACTIVITY (YEA) EVALUATION

PROJECT ADVERTISEMENT:

TEAM LEAD FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ACTIVITY (YEA) EVALUATION

South Sudan Monitoring & Evaluation Support Activity (MELS)

Short-term, remote consultancy position, from
February 2025 – June 2025 with possibility of short-term travel to Juba, South Sudan

Introducing Integrity

Integrity is an ethical consultancy and service provider working in challenging and complex environments around the globe.

We help our clients succeed in fragile and challenging environments while building trust and understanding as the basis for transformative change. We work across all phases of the program and project cycle, delivering eleven complementary services: monitoring, evaluation and learning / data and knowledge management / research, evidence and analysis / advisory / project management / communications / risk management / technical assistance / capability and capacity development / stakeholder engagement / grant and fund management. Our services are underpinned by the principles on which we were founded, a commitment to providing reliable information and evidence, and expert and high-quality delivery.

Headquartered in London and Washington DC, Integrity also has offices in Jordan, Kenya, and Pakistan. Our multi-national team of over 80 delivers multi-year projects, programs and consulting assignments to a wide range of government clients, international organizations, foundations and private sector clients.

VISION: To set the international standard for ethically delivered expert services in complex and challenging contexts.

MISSION: We use evidence and learning to provide trusted advice and enable change for a sustainable future.

VALUES:

• Courage: We work on many of the world’s most complex problems. We stand against violence in all its forms. We are unafraid to stand up to illegal or unethical practices.

• Objectivity: We challenge conventional thinking. Our recommendations are not based on assumptions or ideology but evidence and learning.

• Diligence: We incorporate our best individual and collective intellect through rigor, reflection, and collaboration.

• Accountability: We take responsibility for the quality of our work and performance. We hold ourselves to account through clear policy and process, sustained by long-term profitability.

• Sensitivity: We understand the impact of our presence and our work, empathize with people’s situations, and commit to do no harm.

ETHICS: Integrity upholds the highest ethical standards in our work, our employment of staff and our interaction with people. Through adherence to our core values, we ensure the best possible service, and benefit the communities amongst whom we work.

We commit to building a diverse and inclusive organization where all feel safe and able to progress, contribute and be heard, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, marital or parental status.

Further information about Integrity can be found at www.integrityglobal.com.

Project Background

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Support (MELS) Activity serves as USAID/South Sudan’s primary mechanism for monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptive management services for ongoing activities and programs. In a dynamic operating environment, MELS provides USAID/South Sudan with flexible, demand-driven technical, analytic, and advisory support in order to strengthen collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA); promote institutional memory; produce monitoring, evaluation, and learning products as appropriate; strengthen knowledge management and organizational learning (KMOL), organizational effectiveness and operational efficiency; and strengthen data-driven decision-making through the use of GIS and other innovative spatial analysis.

Scope of Work

Position: YEA Evaluation Team Lead

Location: Remote with two-week travel to Juba, South Sudan

Level of Effort: 50 days

Overview

The Team Lead is responsible for the overall planning, execution, and completion of the YEA Evaluation. This role requires strong leadership, expertise in accelerated learning, alternative education, and vocational training, curriculum development, classroom instructions, teacher training, and project management within the South Sudan context. The Team Lead will report to the MELS Chief of Party or their designee, and willl oversee all aspects of the study, from conceptualization to dissemination of findings.

The idea candidate will possess a deep knowledge of South Sudan’s humanitarian context and demonstrate the ability to envision interventions, conduct needs assessments, and integrate cross-sectoral perspectives into “blue-sky” analyses for future activity designs. Expertise in economic analysis, research methodologies, and USAID-funded evaluations is essential.

Key responsibilities include designing the research methodology, managing the research team, coordinating data collection and analysis, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines, and effectively communicating research findings to stakeholders. This position is remote, with an estimated level of effort (LOE) of 50 days for the assignment.

Terms of Reference (TOR)

1. Evaluation Design & Planning
2. Develop a detailed evaluation plan, including methodology, data collection tools, and timeline.
3. Ensure alignment with USAID evaluation standards, objectives, and expectations.
4. Incorporate accelerated learning, alternative education, and vocational training frameworks into the evaluation design.
5. Team Management
6. Lead and manage a multidisciplinary evaluation team, ensuring effective coordination and collaboration.
7. Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members, ensuring efficient and effective execution of the evaluation plan.
8. Stakeholder Engagement
9. Engage and coordinate with USAID/South Sudan, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, and other relevant stakeholders.
10. Facilitate stakeholder communication and collaboration to ensure comprehensive data collection and analysis.
11. Data Collection and Analysis
12. Oversee qualitative and quantitative data collection, ensuring data integrity and reliability.
13. Analyze data to assess the implementation and outcomes of the YEA program.
14. Integrate findings into actionable insights, considering South Sudan’s unique social, cultural, and educational contexts.
15. Reporting and Recommendations
16. Prepare a comprehensive evaluation report, including findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
17. Highlight actionable suggestions for curriculum development, classroom instruction improvements, and teacher training.
18. Present findings to USAID/South Sudan and other stakeholders, highlighting evidence-based recommendations for program adjustments and future designs in a clear and engaging format.
19. Quality Assurance
20. Ensure the evaluation process and deliverables meet USAID’s quality standards and guidelines.
21. Address any challenges or issues that arise during the evaluation process.
22. Quality Assurance
23. Provide strategic insights for future activity design, including potential interventions and cross-sectoral analyses.
24. Conduct needs assessments and “blue-sky” analyses to inform innovative programming aligned with South Sudan’s development goals.

Your Experience and Expertise

You will have:

1. PhD or Master’s degree in social sciences, education, international development, or a related field.
2. Substantial experience in humanitarian aid and development, focusing on youth empowerment or education programs as well as classroom instructions, and teachers training.
3. A minimum of 10 years of experience designing and leading research, evaluations and assessments of USAID-funded activities.
4. Proven expertise in accelerated learning, alternative education, and vocational training.
5. A proven track record in conducting research and managing research teams in complex environments, preferably in South Sudan or similar contexts.
6. Experience working in South Sudan or similar contexts is highly desirable.
7. Advanced knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
8. Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
9. The ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
10. Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
11. Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation.
12. Knowledge of project management tools and software.
13. Experience in working with diverse teams and stakeholders.
14. Expertise in needs assessment and cross-sectoral programming.
15. An understanding of ethical considerations in research.
16. Knowledge of USAID style guidelines and formatting.

Languages

1. Fluency in English, with exceptional writing skills and the ability to communicate persuasively and clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Additional Consideration

The Team Lead must demonstrate a strong background in education sector, and excellent understanding of South Sudan’s unique humanitarian and educational context, ensuring the evaluation is sensitive to local conditions and priorities. The ability to integrate cross-sectoral perspective and design forward-looking interventions will be critical to the success of the YEA Evaluation.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please complete the application form at https://podio.com/webforms/27102550/2079953 and attach a CV and cover letter that clearly indicates the country you’re based in and explains why you are suitable for and interested in the role. Additionally, please submit three examples of your technical writing and editing work that illustrate the quality of your work.

Applications submitted without a cover letter and writing samples will not be considered.

We will review candidates on a rolling basis and the vacancy may be filled before the deadline. We encourage early applications. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.