Project Objective:

Through PMSPL II, Social Impact supplements the monitoring and program management efforts of USAID/Lebanon staff and verifies, monitors, and supports USAID program performance in Lebanon. The period of performance of this project is September 2015 – March 2021.

Assignment Description:

The Lebanon Water Project (LWP) is a $75 million activity that extends from September 2015 until March 2021, awarded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and is being implemented by DAI Global LLC. The objective of this activity is to increase access to clean, reliable, and sustainable sources of drinking water for Lebanese citizens.  LWP focuses on improving Lebanon’s capacity in the management of water resources, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the public water utilities, and addressing water challenges arising from the impact of the Syrian refugee influx to Lebanon.  The activity provides technical and capital assistance to relevant stakeholders and counterparts in order to enhance the performance of the water sector in Lebanon. LWP also promotes better water governance as a means to help ensure long-term preservation of Lebanon’s water resources.

The objective of this Final LWP evaluation assessment is to assess to what extent LWP has met the intended objectives and its Performance Standards related to the following purposes:

• Purpose A: Improved service delivery and resource management capacity of the five public water utilities
• Purpose B: Improved civic engagement in water management and advanced citizens’ perception of water utilities’ role in providing a necessary and valuable service
• Purpose C: Improved private sector involvement in water management.

SI is seeking an Evaluation Team Leader/Water sector expert, should have a professional background in water utility and resources management or civil engineering in the water sector. He/She should preferably have work experience in water sector development strategies and development programs in developing countries.

This person shall be responsible for coordinating and directing the overall evaluation, including preparation and submission of the draft and final evaluation report. He/she should have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in the design, implementation, and/or evaluation of foreign assistance water sector projects with organizations like USAID, the United Nations, or the World Bank.

He/she should have an advanced degree in civil engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Public Administration, or in another relevant area and with sufficient knowledge of gender sensitive evaluations. The team leader should have excellent written and oral communication skills in English

The TL will be supported by PMSPL II staff members to conduct the evaluation. The estimated duration for completion of the evaluation is 9 weeks proposed to start on January 11, 2021. A six-day work week is assumed. The expert will be hired for the duration of the evaluation. The expected number of LOEs is 45 days. The deadline for the submission of the Draft Report to USAID is February 26, 2021.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise and lead efforts in the evaluation design, methodology and data collection instruments;
• Provide leadership for the team and coordinate activities as necessary;
• Conduct along with other team members a detailed desk study of relevant documents on the evaluated project and other documents on water projects in Lebanon. The desk review will provide the basis toward formulating the final set of questions as well as determining the evaluation methodology.
• Kick off meeting with USAID: Meet with USAID to initiate the work on the evaluation, provide quick briefing on the evaluation timeline, discuss initial questions and objectives. 
• Develop and submit the inception report: The inception report should contain the final approved evaluation questions derived from the Scope of work and other relevant technical tools as needed. The Report should also include clear descriptions of the team’s work plan and methodology for all phases, including its fieldwork approach, such as information on stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs if needed), direct observation and/or other data collection methods the contractor will utilize, and first drafts of interview/FGD questionnaires.
• Conduct selected KII with project’s and water sector stakeholders.
• Preliminary findings presentation:  Conduct Mid-point briefing with USAID during the course of the evaluation whereby preliminary findings will be presented.
• Draft Evaluation report: Taking into consideration feedback from interim findings and final briefing presentations, the Team Leader is responsible for writing the draft evaluation report;
• Final Evaluation report: The Team Leader is responsible for responding to USAID comments on the draft report and submitting a final report to USAID/Lebanon;
• Final briefing: Lead the preparation and presentation of the key findings and recommendations to USAID/Lebanon.
• Other responsibilities, as assigned by the PMSPL II Chief of Party.

Qualifications:

• The Team Leader must hold an advanced degree (preferably a PhD) in civil engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Public Administration, or in another relevant area.
• He/She should have at least 10 years of experience working in the water sector and/or development sector specifically managing, assessing, evaluating water programs. 
• He/She should have at least 5 years of experience evaluating development projects, with knowledge of USAID evaluation requirements and protocols.
• He/ She should have good understanding of the water sector, water governance as well as water utilities institutional capacity building systems. Previous knowledge and work experience working in Lebanon or the Middle East is an advantage.
• He/She should have demonstrated ability to design and manage the data collection process, including conducting, transcribing and coding KIIs, FGD, undertake program needs analysis and provide concrete practical recommendations for moving forward.
• He/She should have knowledge of USAID and other international donors that provide support to the water sector.
• He/She should be fluent in English; Arabic is a plus
• He/ She is expected to work closely with the evaluation team members.

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.