Job Description

Experience : 10-15 years
Panagora Group is a social enterprise dedicated to providing high-quality, high-impact international health, development, and learning consulting. We are a dynamic woman- and employee-owned small business partner focused on market-based and integrated local solutions that strengthen country capacity and independence; and on learning, communications, and technology solutions to accelerate and heighten impact. As a small business, we are able to implement novel and innovative approaches using highly participatory approaches to mobilize community, civil society, and government energy in defining and owning solutions, and to promote inclusive development that benefits all groups.



Background:

USAID/India has contracted Panagora Group to provide monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) services to generate learning inputs for the implementation of the new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS).

USAID/India has a long history of support for food and nutritional security and adaptation programs focusing on sharing and transferring innovative, cost-effective solutions to farming challenges globally, in partnership with the Government of India (GOI), civil society organizations, and the private sector, to improve food security locally, regionally, and globally.

Due to the need to improve food and nutrition security in the state of Odisha, India, USAID partnered with Public International Organization (PIO) WorldFish which is a premier research and development organization and is one of the 15 Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Centers. The goal of the project namely, ‘Scaling nutrition- sensitive fisheries technologies and integrated approaches through partnership in Odisha” was to improve food and nutrition security in the Indian state of Odisha through increasing availability, accessibility and consumption of fish and fish products. This three-year and a half project (October 2017 – March 2020) led to the introduction of nutrition-sensitive production technologies for nutrient-rich fish and vegetables in selected districts of Odisha as well as increased production of high quality fresh small fish and dried fish for making fish-based products.

Panagora will conduct an Ex-Post Evaluation of the WorldFish project to assess sustainability, and to know how the outcomes and impacts evolved after two years of completing the project. Additionally, the evaluation findings will be used to guide the future programs in the sector.


Approach:

The assessment will use both qualitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. Prior to conducting field visits for primary data collection, the assessment team will conduct an extensive review of documents, including, annual work plans, project reports (annual reports and quarterly progress reports), activity monitoring and evaluation plan, and other related documents. In conducting this evaluation, the team will gather a wide range of background information from USAID and the Implementing Partner (IP) to ensure that the findings and recommendations are based on an accurate understanding of the program, Key Informants’, and beneficiaries’ feedback.


Responsibilities:

• Support the Team Leader in activity planning, team coordination, design, and review of data collection instruments.
  
• Support the Team Leader in the design of the evaluation work plan with methodology, data collection instruments, list of any additional documents for desk review, stakeholder list for interviews, and schedule of activities
  
• Under the direction of the TL, conduct further desk review, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs) and group interviews with USAID/India staff, GOI counterparts, private sector firms, NGOs, and experts
  
• Working with the evaluation team and the Panagora technical lead, analyze data collected through the desk review, KIIs, FGDs and quantitative data, to draft findings, conclusions, and preliminary recommendations for sustainability of USAID supported initiatives
  
• Assist the TL to prepare and present the draft report with preliminary recommendations for discussion with USAID/India and other stakeholders
  
• Under the direction of the TL, draft sections for a final report incorporating USAID feedback, summarizing data collection, main findings and conclusions.
  
  

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in fishery and aquaculture, agriculture, economics, rural development, or other fields related to food security
  
• At least 10 years of professional experience working in aquaculture, agriculture, and food security programs in developing countries
  
• Technical Expertise in aquaculture research
  
• Demonstrated experience in program management and/or technical assistance assignments in the field of aquaculture, agriculture and food and nutrition security in India
  
• Experience conducting performance evaluations of USAID-funded activities strongly preferred
  
• Strong quantitative analysis skills
  
• Practical skills in conducting key informant interviews, focus group discussions and similar qualitative data collection approaches.
  
• Understanding of USAID food security programming, preferably through prior experience working with a USAID Mission
  
• Understanding of Government of India policies and programs in food and nutrition security
  
• Fluency in English and Hindi required both verbally and writing
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  
• Strong conceptual and writing skills in English, including demonstrated experience drafting reports
  
• Experience using online platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet for all aspects of remote research.

Master’s degree in fishery and aquaculture, agriculture, economics, rural development, or other fields related to food security