University of Massachusetts (UMass)

Closing date: 31 Dec 2009
Location: United Republic of Tanzania (the) - Dar es Salaam
Position based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with regular travel to Kenya and Uganda

Background to Twaweza
Twaweza ("we can make it happen" in Swahili) is a ten year initiative of Dutch development organisations Hivos and SNV and other donors to empower East African citizens to monitor the delivery of basic services. Formally launched in November 2008, Twaweza East Africa seeks to enable people in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to improve their quality of life through a bold, citizen-centered approach to development and public accountability. The partnership aims to increase access to information to enable citizens to openly express to government institutions their views on basic services and to monitor the quality of such services.

Twaweza has two interlinked goals: to enable substantial numbers of citizens in East Africa to exercise greater agency or, in other words, to be able to take initiative to improve their situation and hold government to account; and to access improved basic services (particularly basic education, primary health and clean water) and improve resource management to serve local interests. The Center for International Education (CIE) at the University of Massachusetts, USA, has been tasked with the responsibility of monitoring and evaluating this initiative.

Purpose
The Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, a UMASS hire, will provide leadership in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of all evaluation activities. The Manager will collaborate with the Learning & Communications Team at Twaweza while maintaining the independence of the evaluation effort. The Manager will report to and work closely with the Center for International Education, ensuring smooth and regular communications. The Manager will oversee and facilitate the work of the Cooperating Partners, ensuring timely implementation of all activities. In addition, the Manager will work closely with the Partnership Coordinator and supervise a part-time administrative assistant.

We seek an intellectually curious evaluation expert with commitments to alternative models of development and social change and creative yet robust evaluation strategies and methods. This person must have excellent conceptual, analytic, and writing skills; a proven track record of insightful evaluation work; be eager to produce written documents on the evaluation effort; and committed to working collaboratively with members of the CIE team based in Amherst, Massachusetts and with key stakeholder groups, including Twaweza.

Scope of Work
- Manage and oversee the design, implementation, and reporting of all evaluation activities; specifically,

• Manage the implementation of Participatory Impact Assessments annually in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda;
• Collaborate with a research organization in the development of the baseline household surveys in the three countries;
• Collaborate with other organizations contracted independently to conduct targeted studies;

- Supervise the quality of the development and implementation of transparent processes to identify, screen, and select international and regional graduate students as Interns;
- Maintain open and regular communication with Twaweza management;
- Oversee workplans and performance of Cooperating Partners;
- Prepare periodic written reports;
- Maintain home office, Cooperating Partners, and consultant relations on a regular basis;
- Monitor monthly expenditures of Cooperating Partners and ensure timely submission of reports and financial documentation.

Expected Term of Service: On/about December 15, 2009 for one year with possible annual renewal to June 2014.

Qualifications
- 10 years experience in monitoring and evaluation in international contexts, especially developing countries (East African experience preferred).
- Publications is desired.
- Strong knowledge of evaluation methodologies including the design, implementation, and interpretation of large-scale household surveys.
- Strong knowledge of and experience implementing participatory impact methodologies including the Most Significant Change methodology and other qualitative and quantitative participatory tools.
- At least a Master’s degree in relevant field.
- Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with citizen advocacy, basic services, and media.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Excellent intercultural communication skills.
- Willingness to live full-time in Tanzania with regular trips to Kenya and Uganda.
- Thorough facility with the Internet and computer software, including: Skype, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, and MS Word. How to apply

Application Procedures:
Electronic submission preferred.
Send letter of interest outlining past experience, resume with names of references, and salary history to:
twzcie@educ.umass.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.