Description of Consultancy

EnCompass LLC is implementing the seven-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Ukraine Monitoring and Learning Support Contract (UMLSC), providing a range of analytical and advisory services in support of USAID’s design, performance monitoring, evaluation, and operational learning and adapting efforts.

Under UMLCS, EnCompass has been tasked to undertake a mid-term performance evaluation of the State-Owned Enterprises Reform Activity (SOERA). The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the effectiveness, as well as efficiencies and unintended effects, of SOERA implementation since the start of the Activity. This evaluation will be used by the Office of Economic Growth (OEG) and the SOERA implementing partner to support adaptive management and inform programming decisions.

SOERA aims to enhance public sector governance and property management, including planning and advancing critical reforms of Ukraine’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), improving management of state and municipal assets, sustaining a wartime economy, and ensuring a swift and transparent reconstruction at the war’s end. SOERA works to strengthen public sector business operations and transparency, improve governance and oversight, advance privatization of selected SOEs, and develop a strategic management model for SOEs remaining in state ownership. In addition, the Activity assists the Government of Ukraine to maintain critical infrastructure and provide essential services, as well as to ensure proper use of U.S.-provided direct budget support.

The specific methodology to be used and deliverable requirements will be determined during initial evaluation design.

EnCompass LLC seeks an Evaluation Team Leader to lead the evaluation team comprising a Senior Local Public Assets/Resources Management and Accountability Expert and an Evaluation Specialist. The Team Leader should be a highly skilled professional with extensive experience in the Europe and Eurasia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) regions, particularly in the public asset, resource management, and accountability sectors. Significant experience in assessing or evaluating these same sectors in Ukraine is highly desirable. This individual must possess a strong background in leading similar assessments or evaluations. Additionally, the Team Leader should have excellent planning and communication skills in English—and preferably Ukrainian or Russian—to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, synthesize complex data, and present succinct reports with evidence-based findings and recommendations. This pivotal role requires a blend of technical knowledge, managerial acumen, and the ability to navigate a multifaceted development landscape. The Team Leader should possess expertise in designing and executing quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytical methods, ideally in complex environments. The ability to travel to Kyiv is preferred.

The total Level of Effort (LOE) for this role will be determined during early scope discussions with USAID, but it is anticipated to be approximately up to 60 days.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

• Lead and oversee the planning and data collection process.
• Lead and oversee the development and timely submission of all deliverables, ensuring they are of high quality and aligned to USAID/Ukraine’s need.
• In collaboration with the Sr. Evaluation Specialist, ensure the consultant team is functioning well and aligned to the assessment scope, budget, and timing.
• Engage with USAID/Ukraine staff, USAID Implementing Partners and key stakeholders in the private sector and government.

Deliverables and timing

While the specific deliverables and timing will be determined, the Team Lead should expect to be responsible for at least the timely and quality production of the following deliverables:

1. Detailed work plan (specific due date TBD): Following the launch of this Assessment, the team will hold initial briefings with the USAID OEG Team and complete a Team Planning Meeting (TPM) process. Afterwards, the team will submit a detailed work plan for completing this SOW, discussing the objectives detailed above, and confirming how the implementation team will cooperate with the USAID OEG representatives. The work plan will include the evaluation methodology, analytical framework, implementation timeline, and a list of information sources and interview targets.
2. Field work is expected to occur from mid-July through August 2024
3. Draft evaluation report to be submitted three weeks after completion of field work (by mid-September, 2024)
4. Out-briefing to USAID approximately four weeks after completion of field work (by the end of September)
5. Final evaluation report to be submitted no later than October 25, 2024

Period of Performance: Level of Effort (LOE) is approximately up to 60 days from on or about June 14, 2024 to October 30, 2024.

Travel: This consultancy will likely require travel to Ukraine.

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• A minimum master's degree in public policy, public administration, international development, or a related field.

Experience and Skills

• Significant experience leading assessments or evaluations of public sector reform, anticorruption, accountability, or good governance activities.
• Significant experience in relevant development work in Europe & Eurasia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) regions.
• Expertise and related experience in one or more of the following areas: Public Sector Management (including Public Finance Management), Corporate Governance, Privatization and Reform of SOEs.
• Demonstrated experience in assessing or evaluating public assets/resources management and accountability in Ukraine is desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of USAID development policies and practice are strongly preferred.
• Experience in engendered evaluation methods and knowledge of gender issues in public governance is desirable.
• At least 10 years of managerial experience and leading teams.
• Must possess strong organizational and team-building skills, excellent communications skills (both verbal and written), and the ability to conduct interviews and facilitate discussions, and experience writing evaluation reports.
• Excellent English writing and editing skills and communication/interview skills for presentation and stakeholder discussions, as well as an ability to take information from a wide variety of sources and draft clear, succinct, high-level analysis and reports.

How to Apply

Please submit CV and cover letter.

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.

For US based positions: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.

If you require accommodations in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete your application, please call 301-287-8700, provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case-basis, and we will call you back within approximately 3 business days.

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