Senior Agricultural Specialist - Social Impact (Apply by: 1 May 2014)

Senior Agricultural Specialist, USAID: Evaluation of Agricultural Innovation Partnership (AIP) Project, India

Background:

Social Impact (SI) is a Washington, DC-area international development management consulting firm.  We provide a full range of innovative program evaluation, management consulting, technical assistance, and training services to strengthen international development programs, organizations and policies.  Our global services are in the areas of democracy and governance, health and education, agriculture, the environment, and economic growth.

Objective:

The Evaluation of Agricultural Innovation Partnership (AIP) is a $5.5 million project with the objective to reduce rural poverty and hunger in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. The project aims to accomplish this objective through enhancing the capacity for teaching, research, and extension work at Indian higher educational institutions. The project includes 1) reforming existing and developing new agricultural curricula so that those trained in agriculture develop the skills needed to meet market demand 2) better linking universities to enterprises and extension. The purpose of this evaluation is to gain an independent opinion of the AIP project\'s performance in order to provide lessons learned and help guide the Mission on future project design under the Feed the Future program. The results of this evaluation will assist the Mission in learning about what worked, what did not work, and why these activities were effective or ineffective in terms of agricultural education and extension, private sector engagement and enhancing innovation in targeted agricultural universities in India. Expats are welcome to apply.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

The candidate will begin work in May 2014 and for an estimated 30 LOE days. The candidate will be responsible for:

Evaluating the results and impact of USAID activities on beneficiaries, communities and local organizations (including baseline surveys, mid-term and final evaluations)

Participate in writing the work plan, evaluation design, data collection instruments, and draft and final evaluation reports

Conduct community focus group discussions and key informant interviews in project implementation sites throughout India.

Qualifications:

Master\'s Degree; Agriculture education background preferred

10+ years of international experience in evaluation and assessment of agricultural and rural development

Knowledge of evaluation methodologies and their practical applications

Background in Agricultural education and extension policy and implementation in developing country contexts

Prior experience in India or South Asia region (i.e., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Nepal) 

Apply by: 1 May 2014

To Apply

Please visit the Link