The USAID – Chemonics International contract was signed in January 18, 2018 for $15 million with the following breakdowns for based and options years: Base Year of $9 million and Two Options Years of $6 million. The project start-up operations were delayed briefly due to the changes in the Chief of Party after the award. Since then, the project has made considerable progress in the implementation of planned activities toward meeting project objectives. The project staff was re-structured to align with the Government of Timor-Leste’s National Tourism Policy by having Leads in the five government priority areas in Tourism which include priority, prosperity, protection, partnership and people.

In July 2020, the Mission approved the exercise of Option Year 1 which extended the performance duration of the project for 12 months from March 19, 2021 to March 18, 2022 inclusive of two no-cost extensions due to COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, as the project completed   the base year and starting its option year one, it is important that an objective outside review be undertaken to assess progress made towards reaching stated goals and objectives, as well to validate assumption and results indicators against the reality on the ground, based on USAID’s Tourism for All implementation experience to date. 

When COVID-19 global pandemic hit Timor-Leste, USAID/Timor-Leste mission postponed the midterm evaluation as initially planned due to the inability to field an external evaluation team.  While the COVID-19 situation remains the same, a performance evaluation of the TFA activity is still critical to the success of its implementation. Therefore, Mission will continue to carry out this evaluation to inform the Mission about the activity’s performance and achievements, and make programmatic adjustments. 

Performance Evaluation Objective:

The objective of this assignment is to carry out a performance evaluation of USAID’s Tourism for All project to:  

• Determine the relevance, efficacy, impact, and sustainability of the impact achieved. The evaluators will undertake a normative assessment of the project to gauge progress made in the implementation of planned activities toward reaching stated goals and objectives. 
• Assess the wider project context to validate project assumptions and results indicators against the reality on the ground, based on actual USAID’s Tourism for All implementation experience to date. This should be done with a view toward making recommendations for adjustments of assumptions and results indicators, as warranted, to enhance project implementation if further option years are exercised.  
• Assess the impact of COVID on the tourism industry and the Tourism for All activity and whether there should be any shift in focus should a second option year be awarded.  
• Assess the effectiveness of the Tourism for All activity to collaborate, learn, and adapt in light of the COVID-19 crisis. 
• Provide an evidentiary basis for determining whether or not to exercise the second option year.  

Evaluation Questions:

1. Has Tourism for All been successful/unsuccessful in the following key intervention areas:  
   1. working effectively with stakeholders to develop tourism-related policies or regulations;  
   2. supporting implementation of the National Tourism Policy; 
   3. establishing effective and sustainable tourism sector associations and advocacy groups;  
   4. supporting destination marketing domestically and internationally; 
   5. building partnerships with a reasonable likelihood of stimulating private sector investment in the tourism sector; and  
   6. Establishing Sustainable Management Plans within protected areas. 
2. Is there evidence that the six key intervention areas outlined in Evaluation Question #1 are likely to grow, scaling up and out? What specific actions will be required to ensure future sustainability after USAID Tourism for All ceased?  
3. What specific stakeholder groups¹ within the tourism sector have benefited the most from USAID Tourism for All interventions? Are there additional stakeholders with whom USAID Tourism for All should engage in order to support effective implementation of the National Tourism Policy that could stimulate private sector investment in the tourism sector? 
4. Given efforts by the Government of Timor-Leste (GOTL) and various development partners to more effectively implement the National Tourism Policy or to stimulate private sector investments in the tourism sector, what is USAID’s comparative advantage to achieve or advance these same goals?  
5. How has the Tourism for All Activity adapted in response to the impact of COVID-19 and how effective they have been? What additional adjustments should the Activity consider in order to further mitigate the COVID-19 impact on the industry? 

Position Description:

SI is seeking an Evaluation Specialist to support the team leader on the mixed methods performance evaluation. This position will work with the evaluation team on the project in meeting the research goals on the project. The evaluation fieldwork is expected to take place in May 2021. The period of performance for this assignment will be February 2021 – August 2021. The relevant sector for this evaluation is Tourism, Economic Development, and Private Sector Development. This Specialist will assist in developing the design of the evaluation tools, supporting data collection activities, and conducting analysis.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct interviews, surveys, site visits, document review and focus groups.
• Support the design of the data collection methodology and instruments, following USAID evaluation policy guidelines, and responding to other technical guidance provided by SI.
• Provide technical expertise and lead efforts in evaluation design, methodology and data collection instruments.
• Perform an in-depth assessment of the program’s evaluation and information needs, systems, and processes.
• Analyze the data and assist in the drafting of the final report.
• Assist evaluation team in in-brief and out-brief with USAID/Timor-Leste in Dili.
• Assist evaluation team in the presentation of findings in the draft report.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with at least eight-ten years of relevant experience supporting evaluations or development programs in a related sector in Timor-Leste. A Master’s degree in a related discipline is preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of tourism, economic development, sustainable development, and private sector development issues in Timor-Leste.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, analysis, and reporting.
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with teams of varying skills in a cross-cultural environment.
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency Tetum is strongly preferred.

Come join our energetic and innovative team!  We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

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

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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