DQA Consultant in Kenya

Management Systems International (MSI) is a global international development firm based in Washington, D.C. providing specialized short- and long-term technical assistance. MSI is part of Coffey International Development, a global international development consulting firm. Together with Coffey ID, MSI now has more than 1,500 development professionals worldwide, a corporate presence in 11 countries and manages more than 200 projects worldwide. It currently manages more than 20 long-term projects in countries, including Iraq, Sudan, Colombia and Russia. Broadly, MSI implements a range of analytical and field projects in its core technical areas, including democracy and governance, strategic management and performance improvement, organizational capacity building, human development and natural resource management. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com

Project/Proposal Summary: 
The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a Data Quality Assessment (DQA) of a number of performance indicators across USAID Kenya’s programs. The main objective of the exercise will be for USAID to develop a thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the data they use and steps to be taken to improve data quality, where necessary. The approach should be consistent with TIPS guidance on conducting DQAs (See USAID’s TIPS No. 12). The USAID TIPS is also supplemental reference to USAID’s ADS instructions. 

Position Summary: 
The Consultant will carry out these tasks in such a manner that the USAID/Kenya Teams’ capacity will be strengthened to carry out future data quality assessments. The assessment will be conducted from November 5 to December 11, 2012, and will include site visits of selected programs.


Responsibilities: 
Under the direction of an expert Team Leader, the DQA Consultant will perform the following task:

1) Review the selection of indicators in terms of whether they meet the following criteria – objectivity, practicality and adequacy.
2) Review the criteria for collecting quality performance data – validity, measurement error, representativeness, reliability and timeliness.
3) Review the documents that record the data and whether there is a detailed specification for each indicator on the following dimensions: 1) a comprehensive operational definition and precise unit of measurement; 2) a detailed description of the data source, methods for data collection and the frequency of collection.
4) Consider the overall data acquisition, aggregation, manipulation, analysis, storage and security systems being used.


QUALIFICATIONS:
• Advanced degree, Masters or above.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in monitoring donor programs; managing evaluations is a plus;
• Ability to work in a small team, under time constraints, working with a donor and wide range of implementing partners;
• Experience in Kenya or East Africa;
• Familiarity with USAID’s ADS Chapter 203 is a plus
• Experience conducting DQAs in sectors of USAID/Kenya’s technical focus is a plus.
• Experience working with USAID or other donor-funded projects preferred

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

To apply, please visit our website: www.msiworldwide.com