Program Manager II - Research and Evaluation Coordinator

* Position contingent on funding extension*

Project Background: SILC Innovations
With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CRS is scaling up its Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) program in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The objective of the SILC Innovations Project is to develop a market-led delivery model that guarantees that savings groups continue to be created well after the end of the project period, through the establishment of commercially sustainable agents called Private Service Providers (PSPs). Having already reached 135,000 members and demonstrated the viability of the PSP approach, CRS is pursuing a cost extension from the donor through January 2013, which will allow it to further refine the delivery model, undertake additional research, and pilot linkages to mobile money services (such as Mpesa).
CRS is seeking an experienced research professional to lead the project’s research and evaluation activities, and in particular to design and implement a significant learning component around PSP networks and a PSP apprenticeship model, and to study the outcomes of mobile money linkages. The Research and Evaluation Coordinator will join an enthusiastic team developing an innovative, market-based approach to sustainably delivering savings group services to rural communities. The new position will be central to proving this breakthrough service delivery channel, which could change the way underserved rural populations are reached.
Summary job description:
The Research and Evaluation Coordinator oversees all research, evaluation and learning activities for the SILC Innovations project, including research design and implementation, analysis and documentation, relationship management with external researchers and firms, and capacity-building and technical support to project staff.
Main duties & Responsibilities:
• Design and implement the research, evaluation and learning agenda of the SILC Innovations project, in close coordination with the Project Director, Project Research Officers and other relevant CRS staff
• Develop and manage relationships with researchers and survey firms
• Engage consultants to conduct research activities according to clear terms of reference and supervise their work, monitoring quality and timing of deliverables.
• Monitor commissioned research projects and when required, synthesize research.
• Review survey tools
• Assess monitoring systems and suggest improvements for data collection and use
• Analyze project data to inform programming decisions
• Produce external reports on research activities
• Strengthen capacity of Project Research Officers to develop and apply research tools, analyze data and write up findings
• Keep abreast of research undertaken by other organizations that is relevant to the SILC Innovations program
• Represent CRS and the SILC Innovations project in research and other microfinance for a
• Any other duties as required by supervisor.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Required qualifications and experience:
• Masters Degree in research methods, rural development, anthropology, or equivalent work experience and course work
• Field-level experience in program evaluation, using qualitative research methods
• Experience or familiarity with quantitative research methods, and with experimental and quasi-experimental study designs
• Experience in field supervision of data collection in developing countries, survey instrument design and data analysis.
• Familiarity with one or more database software such as MS Access or CS Pro preferred but not required
• Familiarity with one or more statistical software packages such as SPSS or SAS preferred but not required.
• A minimum of five (5) years related work experience.
• Familiarity with savings group programming preferred
• Familiarity with private-sector or social-enterprise sales/training structures in developing countries, preferred
• Ability to conduct and supervise quality research on a short timeline.
• Ability to synthesize research into succinct and clear reports.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills essential.
• Strong command of English, both written and oral communications.
• Must be able to work independently under general direction of the supervisor.
• Willingness to travel up to 40 percent in East Africa

EOE/M/F/D/V

View the original article here