Job Description

:

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 "Scaling nutrition- sensitive fisheries technologies and integrated approaches through partnership in Odisha" project 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 "Scaling nutrition- sensitive fisheries technologies and integrated approaches through partnership in Odisha" project to assess sustainability, and to learn how outcomes and impacts evolved two years after completing the project. Additionally, evaluation findings and conclusions guide future programs in the sector.

Approach

Prior to conducting field visits for primary data collection, the evaluation team will gather a wide range of background information from USAID and the implementing partners to ensure the evaluation methodology, and subsequent findings and recommendations are based on an accurate understanding of the project. Initially, the evaluation team will conduct an extensive review of these project-related documents, and background literature, including, annual work plans, project reports (annual reports and quarterly progress reports), activity monitoring and evaluation plans, and other related documents. Based on this review, the evaluation team will produce an inception report detailing the evaluation design and methodology. During the inception phase, the team will also identify methodological strengths and limitations and proposed actions to address limitations.

The evaluation team will use both quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. The design will include a sample "mini" survey to assess project impact on the practices of beneficiaries and key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) to gain insights into perceived enabling factors and barriers in increasing the supply of, and access to affordable, safe, nutrient-rich fish and fish products for increased consumption.

Team Leader Responsibilities:

• In consultation with the Panagora Group IDIQ Director, lead and manage the evaluation team in all activity planning, team coordination meetings, desk review, design and review of data collection instruments, supervise data collection, review work products from team members, and integrate work products of team members into a final report.

• Design the evaluation work plan with methodology, data collection instruments, list of documents for desk review, stakeholder list for interviews, and schedule of activities.

• Lead the presentation and discussion of the work plan with USAID and incorporate USAID feedback into the final work plan.

• Work with the evaluation team members to develop a plan for desk review and selection of relevant documents and support the team members in the analysis of findings and conclusions from the desk review.

• In consultation with the evaluation team members, design a complete set of structured interview guides (KIIs) for primary data collection to fill in data gaps identified in the desk review.

• Manage the evaluation team members, and assist them in identifying sources of statistical data, and support them in data analysis and interpretation and preparation of data visualization inputs for the report.

• Manage the team members to ensure quality of KIIs with USAID/India staff, IP, beneficiaries, and other key stakeholders.

• Support the evaluation team members to analyze the data collected through the desk review, statistical data, and KIIs to draft findings, conclusions and preliminary recommendations on each sector/topic.

• In consultation with the Panagora Group IDIQ Director, review and approve the work products of each team member

• Deliver a PowerPoint presentation with preliminary recommendations for discussion with USAID/India and a draft report for USAID review.

• Draft a final report incorporating USAID feedback, summarizing data collection, main findings and conclusions, and a set of prioritized recommendations.

Period of Performance

The assessment period of performance (POP) will be from the end of November 2022 from inception through to the delivery of the final report. It will include three to four weeks of field data collection In India in January.

Requirements

• 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

• Demonstrated experience in 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

• 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

• 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.