Research Coordinator: Sustainability Review for the Strengthening Provincial Capacity (SPC) Activity

Research Coordinator
Sustainability Review for the Strengthening Provincial Capacity (SPC) Activity
USAID Learns Contract
Hanoi, Vietnam

Apply here

https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=SOCIIMPA2&cws=39&rid=4360 [1]

Note: This post is open for local candidates only.

About Social Impact

Social Impact (SI) is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity-building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Project Objective

SI is implementing the USAID/Vietnam Learns Contract (USAID Learns). The scope of the five-year project is to support USAID/Vietnam staff and partners to implement more efficient, effective, and transparent programs by improving: (1) USAID and Implementing Partner (IP) capacity to achieve expected results; (2) USAID’s understanding and tracking of project performance; and (3) collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA).

Background and Purpose

USAID/Vietnam tasked USAID Learns to conduct a Sustainability Review for the USAID-funded Strengthening Province Capacity (SPC) Activity. SPC is a five-year activity that aims to improve the efficacy and sustainability of economic reform-oriented provincial capacity building services by investing in local institution to build sustainable and strong capacity to design and deliver relevant training targeting local officials.

Three expected intermediate results (IRs) include:

• Local institutions’ understanding of and responsiveness to local economic governance capacity needs improved;
• Local institutions’ ability to design and deliver high-quality capacity development opportunities improved; and
• Local institutions’ ability to generate demand and establish revenue streams for capacity development opportunities improved.

Purpose of the review

The purpose of this assignment is to provide USAID with a review on the sustainability of SPC’s selective key deliverables including: (i) the knowledge, courses, the systems, and the partnership strengthened by the Activity; (ii) improved capacity of the institution partners in understanding and responding to the market demand, and (ii) feedbacks of the Activity participants and their clients on the quality of the services provided by the institution partners.

To achieve the above objectives, the review will address following research questions:

1. To what extent the knowledge, courses, and systems, especially Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) assessments, Human and institutional capacity development (HICD) assessments, tailored MEL systems, and business models developed, courses by Chemonics for the institutions are still being utilized and expanded by the institutions? What are the contributing and inhibiting factors affecting the continuing utilization and expansion of these services?
2. What is the satisfaction level of SOG/UEH, SVF, and their clients toward the quality of the services provided by these institutions, whether it sustainably meets the market demands?
3. To what extent the institution partners have improved their capacity in understanding market needs (MNA and MEL systems) and tailoring and amending services and courses in responding to the market demands?
4. To what extent the partnership between SOG/UEH and HSOG-PSU will be continued, sustained, and developed?

Position Description

USAID Learns seeks a national consultant to act as a coordinator for the review. The coordinator will support the Team Leader and the Research Specialist to conduct the assignment.

The USAID Learns Research Team and SI headquarters staff will provide the research team with technical support, direction and review to adhere to USAID and SI’ standards.

Deliverables and Timelines
The assignment is set to commence in February 2023 and expected to share preliminary findings by the third week of April and submit the final report in early May, following the below tentative workplan.

Timelines: February – May 2023
Level of effort (LOE): up to 40 days

Responsibilities

• Support desk review and prepare for data collection
• Coordinate the review activities, including gathering contact information, sending out invites, arranging meetings, interviews, taking notes during interviews, and producing and cleaning notes for data analysis
• Provide coordination and logistical support including in-person meetings, events
• Conduct survey/interview as requested by the Team Lead and the Research Specialist
• Conduct data cleaning and support quantitative analysis
• Support the preparation and presentation of the key findings and recommendations to USAID
• Work collaboratively with team members throughout design, implementation, analysis, and report writing to complement each other's areas of expertise

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, with preference for degree relevant to research, economics, governance, public policy, or another related field?
• Five years of experience supporting or conducting mixed-method research
• Must be able to take notes in both English and Vietnamese, set up interviews, conduct data cleaning
• Sound experience with administration and/or logistics for data collection, specifically coordinating data collection activities 
• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to take detailed notes?
• Ability to work independently to meet deadlines and adhere to high quality standards?
• Fluency in English and Vietnamese
• The candidate must be Vietnamese and reside in Hanoi
• No relations with SPC Activity or other interests that may compromise the review’s actual or apparent impartiality.

The closing date for application: February 10, 2023. Selection and interviews will be performed constantly and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply, please merge both your CV and a cover letter into one pdf file and submit it through the online portal.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com [2]

SI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls, no visits.