The Position: The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is looking to hire three M&E Qualitative Methods Experts - Consultants who will be responsible for undertaking field assessment(s) in Amhara, Oromia & SNNP Regions. The consultants will undertake a qualitive impact evaluation of the project leading key informant interviews and focus group discussions with project stakeholders, following the specified research protocols. They will also contribute to the design of the field evaluation, data collection and report writing.

General: The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org.

Background:

The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), in partnership with the World Bank, is currently implementing the Livestock and Fisheries Sector Development Project (LFSDP). To support the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the project and lay the foundation for subsequent sound and scientific impact assessment, a baseline survey was conducted in the project areas and selected control sites in 2019. ILRI has now been contracted to conduct a Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the LFSDP and seeks to recruit consultants who will be part of the ILRI team working on this MTR.

Main Duties:

• Assist in design of the midterm evaluation survey. This involves review of relevant project documents and secondary data to be familiarized and updated with the project components and implementation at local, regional, and federal levels. The review will also help in preparation of the inception report and design of survey tools;
• Conduct field data collection using key informant interviews, focus group discussions and other qualitative data collection techniques;
• Collect relevant project implementation reports, pictures and facts on the ground that can help in evaluation of project performance and its implementation process;
• Prepare evaluation reports within a short period of time and submit to supervisors;
• Work with the project evaluation team to produce overall project review report at federal level;
• Present the finding of the project evaluation at forums involving donors (WBG), Ministry of Agriculture, project beneficiaries, regional project staff, implementing partners and other stakeholders;
• Able and willing to travel to project sites in the three regions and collect the required data from small holder farmers and other stakeholders;
• Available for intensive field and office work to produce an interim summary report at the beginning of April and final report in May 2021.

Minimum Requirements:

Education

• At least a Master’s degree in Agricultural economics, agricultural extension, project management, rural development, development studies and related fields

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research (review of documents, research design, data collection, analysis and report writing)
• Experience in midterm and end line evaluation of projects
• Experience in facilitation of community discussions in rural areas
• Experience in collection and best use of secondary data in project evaluation
• Experience in evaluation of world bank funded projects using qualitative tools is an advantage

Skills

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural work environment.
• Good working knowledge of written and spoken English essential.
• Good knowledge of written and spoken Afan Oromo and Amharic languages since the project is implemented in Oromia, Amhara and SNNP regionals states and demands communicating the local community and understanding documents prepared in Amharic and Afan Ormo languages.
• Excellent verbal, report writing and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information at various levels.
• Leading and active participation in disciplinary and multi-institutional work environment
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office software.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with frequent travel to LFSDP project sites in Amhara, Oromia & SNNP Regions

Terms of appointment: This is a Consultant position based at ILRI’s Addis Ababa campus. Initial appointment is for 3 months Which will not be renewable.

How to Apply

The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus with dining and sports facilities.

Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. In addition to submitting CVs, applicants should indicate on their cover letters their availability between 15 February and 15 June 2021, languages they master and their proposed monthly rate. 

The position and reference number: REF: C-M&E/06/21 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ on or before 17 February 2021 (given short timelines ILRI reviews applications on a rolling basis as of 10 February, with a decision as soon as 17 February.