Senior Evaluation Specialist

Environmental Incentives exists to create a society that acknowledges the tremendous social and economic value of our natural resources, and consistently considers them in investments and decision-making. Our highly creative, principled and talented team leads positive change and delivers uncompromising value to our stakeholders-and society-through the development of innovative policies, programs and tools.

Environmental Incentives is a policy and management consulting firm, and a leading advisor on natural resource program development. We integrate adaptive management into decision making to enable public and private entities to increase their environmental and social return on investment. Our approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of management, natural resources and environmental markets with close collaboration among clients and stakeholders. This ensures that our clients build more capable programs and deliver lasting results.

We are developing a project team in partnership with:

• Foundations of Success - One of the leading organizations in the development of adaptive management approaches and tools applied to biodiversity, forestry and communities both internationally and domestically.
• ICF International- One of the preeminent international development, gender, climate change and public health organizations.

Position Overview:

We are seeking to hire a Senior Evaluation Specialist that will lead efforts to enhance The United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) capability to perform rigorous evaluations for biodiversity and integrated conservation and development programs. The position will build upon and improve the capacity of USAID's environment staff to design, implement and support program evaluations; evaluate current and past global biodiversity and forest conservation programs; guide integration of adaptive management into future programming; incorporate gender analyses into program evaluations; and disseminate key lessons learned USAID staff and key stakeholders. 

This is one of 4 key personnel that will collectively lead a 5-year project to enhance the impact of biodiversity and forestry programs in USAID through improved knowledge, evidence based programming and adaptive management. Key personnel will enhance capacity of USAID staff with knowledge and tools through research, evaluations, technical assistance and sharing of lessons learned.

The position will be based in Washington D.C. and will involve significant international travel during certain portions of the 5-year project period. 

Responsibilities:

The Senior Evaluation Specialist will lead the project team on the following tasks:

• Design and manage impact, performance, mid-term and funding evaluations that incorporate gender analysis on global biodiversity and forest conservation activities, as well as select projects.
• Facilitate a working group to determine best practices and criteria to be incorporated into evaluation of development and biodiversity conservation projects.
• Incorporate best practices and criteria into a guide for designing biodiversity and integrated project evaluations.
• Incorporate USAID staff into project evaluations and provide technical assistance in order to build their capacity to carry out effective evaluations.
• Evaluate the 5 primary steps outlined by USAID for conducting a gender analysis.
• Compile lessons learned on key themes and issues from the evaluations and disseminate to USAID staff and key stakeholders via workshops, training sessions, publications, articles, etc.
• Submit evaluation approaches to USAID that align with the goals and requirements of the USAID Evaluation Policy.
• Deliver final evaluation reports for review and approval by USAID.

Qualifications:

Qualities & Characteristics

• Willingness to oversee all evaluation duties and adaptive management-related results from start to finish; a period of approximately 5 years.
• Clarity of thought.
• Effective and organized verbal and written communication.
• Ability to create new and innovative ideas.
• Strong work ethic and drive to create fun experiences.
• Desire and ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Ability to constructively receive and give critical feedback.
• Ability to listen to, respect and understand others.
• Honesty, integrity and trustworthiness.
• Alignment with Environmental Incentives' core principles.

Experience & Expertise

• At least a Master's degree in evaluation, international development, biodiversity conservation, ecology, economics, sociology, anthropology, or public administration.
• 10 years of experience in conservation or international development or closely related field, with overseas experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in evaluation design and delivery for biodiversity conservation projects and international development activities, including the appropriate use of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. 
• Additional experience in other sectors of international development such as agriculture, governance and health is valuable.
• Training and mentoring experience with professionals from a variety of internationa[1] Adaptive management is the integration of project/program design, management, and monitoring to provide a framework for testing assumptions, adaptation, and learning. l and cultural backgrounds.
• Expertise in research related to biodiversity, forestry and other natural resource management activities, including knowledge of research methods, survey and sampling design, and quantitative analysis.
• Some familiarity with rules and regulations applicable to USAID and US Government evaluation policy, approaches and terminology.

Compensation: We offer competitive compensation packages with performance incentives and growth opportunities. Compensation will be commensurate with personal qualities and experience.

To Apply:

Please click "Apply Now Online!" to submit your cover letter and resume.

Apply Immediately. Positions will be selected after March 22, 2013. Work will commencing in the second quarter.  

~ Environmental Incentives is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation or national origin. ~