DQA Specialist

DQA Specialist Scope of Work (SoW)

Company profile: SoCha (a word created by combining the terms Social and Change) is an independent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (ME&L) firm that provides bespoke solutions to social challenges. We are a veteran-owned small business, registered in the United States and headquartered in Mauritius, which is an IT hub for Southern Hemisphere international organizations. SoCha is structured to be nimble and flexible, where we can rapidly respond to evaluative and analytical requests globally and have a well-established network across Africa and Asia. Since our inception in 2010, we have grown from a consortium of globally recognized experts who specialize in evaluating the effectiveness of development assistance, to a full-fledged ME&L services firm that specializes in advancing innovative methodologies and changing the way donors find solutions to social problems.**

Background:

As part of USAID/Kenya East Africa’s (KEA’s) efforts to align programming towards promoting self-reliance outcomes, SoCha LLC implements the Mission Support for the Journey to Self Reliance Pivot (MSP). To support this journey, MSP collaborates with USAID/KEA to understand context, align programs, collect data, understand complexity, and apply learning to program adaptation.

Scope of Work:

The MSP program seeks a Data Quality Assessment (DQA) lead consultant to provide overall technical guidance and support to DQAs of indicators reported by USAID/KEA that are due for assessment in 2022, per ADS 201 requirements. The consultant will be contracted by SoCha and will report directly to the MEL Specialist or Program Quality Improvement Advisor.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The consultant will support the MSP M&E team in the following tasks:

● Provide technical guidance, support and oversight of the activity, including coordinating DQA planning with MSP, SPA and technical offices, organizing and executing site visits, leading stakeholder interviews, and developing summary reports.

● Update / develop as necessary data collection tools (including for site visits, collecting beneficiary feedback) and SOPs to guide the data collection process.

● Develop / update reporting templates (including for findings by Implementing Partner (IP), indicators, and/or summary reports by technical office.

● Take lead in undertaking desk review of implementing partner reports, activity briefs, and other relevant documents related to data collection and management.

● Support USAID A/CORs, Activity Managers and MEL POCs with interviews with stakeholders, site-level data collection, and beneficiary spot-checks.

● Lead analysis and writing findings reports by IP and summary reports of DQAs per technical office.

● Support presentations of findings / key take-aways and recommendations to the Mission/ stakeholders, as requested.

● Participate in regular check-in calls and debriefs with the Mission and MSP staff.

● Other activities as agreed upon with MSP staff.

Required skills:

● Have a graduate degree in Statistics, Evaluation, or related field from a recognized university

● At least five years’ experience working in monitoring and evaluation in the USAID context

● A firm grasp of USAID ADS 201 policy and requirements on DQAs

● Extensive, demonstrated experience planning and conducting rigorous DQAs of USAID indicators.

● Ability to diplomatically communicate and work effectively with a wide range of USAID implementing partners and stakeholders

● Strong analytical and writing skills, with proven experience in synthesizing and analyzing data into summary and findings reports

Deliverables:

The following deliverables will be required:

● Review and analysis of relevant IP and stakeholder documents

● Developed/updated and approved data collection tools

● Developed and approved DQA implementation plan per technical office

● Final report(s) and presentation(s), inclusive of complete DQA checklist for each indicator and summary report of findings and recommendations per IP

● Other items as required by the M&E Specialist/PQIA

Location:

Will be based in Nairobi but will be required to travel to counties to be determined to conduct site visits for assessment and verification of data management and reporting processes.

LOE or Contract Length:

The consultant is expected to work for a period of approximately 40 days, from March – June 2022.