Midterm Performance Evaluation USAID Trade and Competitiveness Trade and Competitiveness Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Midterm Performance Evaluation USAID Trade and Competitiveness Trade and Competitiveness Subject Matter Expert (SME)

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Background 

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Learning for Development Activity is a 5-year award led by Bixal Solutions, Inc. that provides USAID/Nepal with technical and advisory services in planning, designing, conducting, and learning from the monitoring and evaluation of the Mission’s strategies, projects, and activities in an efficient manner. USAID Learning for Development supports USAID/Nepal by providing services including a) learning and knowledge management; b) evaluations, study and other studies; c) performance monitoring technical support; d) capacity building; and e) development outreach and communications support. 

Purpose 

USAID Learning for Development seeks to hire a Trade and Competitiveness Subject Matter Expert to conduct a Midterm performance evaluation of USAID’s Trade and Competitiveness (T&C) program in Nepal. The purpose of this performance evaluation of USAID’s Trade and Competitiveness (T&C) activity is to provide USAID/Nepal with an analysis on the effectiveness of the activity in achieving its overall objectives, assess the progress toward achieving it’s goals of increasing Nepali Private sector participation in global value chains, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering inclusive economic growth with a focus on inclusion of women and other marginalized populations as Business development Service Providers, catalyzation and effectiveness, innovation and opportunities, and policy advocacy. 

The evaluation should provide actionable insights to strengthen the remainder of the current T&C program as well as provide insights on the current challenges of the civic space. Findings for the evaluation will be used to strengthen current T&C activities, plan for future activities, and provide evidence of private and public sector competitiveness in Nepal. By leveraging lessons learned and best practices, the evaluation endeavors to strengthen the current program and ultimately provide support to public and private sector actors so sector’s competitive participation in targeted global and domestic markets will increase and the economy will become more resilient to external shocks.

Objectives of the assignment 

• Assess the progress that has been made in the T&C program 
• Determine the continued relevance of the program’s interventions towards achieving the project’s objectives 
• Document lessons learned and suggest any important or necessary modifications or course corrections to ensure achievement of the shared objectives within the lifetime of the project 
• Provide evidence-based findings to contribute to ongoing and future activities of USAID/Nepal and share good practices with stakeholders in Nepal 
• Provide perspectives on how the Mission is making progress towards the following Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2020–2025 learning agenda questions with specificity to market competitiveness.

Roles and Responsibilities 

The Trade & Competitiveness Subject Matter Expert will be a member of a broader consultancy team and work in close coordination with the other consultants. They will ensure the entire process and outputs of this assignment incorporate the Trade and Competitiveness sectoral knowledge, which includes global value chain, private sector, business development service providers, business policy advocacy, and so on. They should have a particular understanding of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial mindset. They will contribute to a detailed design report for the evaluation, take lead to designing the methods and tools for data collection, and support team members in the analysis and final report of the assignment.

Specific Responsibilities of the Subject Matter Expert

• Review USAID T&C activity documents and other relevant documents. 
• Provide expert review of all project materials on trade and competitiveness, global value chain and business development service providers (BDSP).
• Provide inputs to prepare inception report detailing the evaluation design and work plan, including the evaluation tools, methodology and schedule for data collection.
• Develop data collection tools – including translation and back translation, and schedule to ensure a smooth data collection. 
• Conduct FGDs and KIIs with relevant stakeholders, program participants, Local Government contact points and USAID staff, which requires coordination and travel to field locations. 
• Conduct field data collection and observations. 
• Work close coordination with the team for preparing a preliminary finding report and presentation. 
• Contribute to prepare consolidated evaluation report and presentation.
• Coordinate with the USAID Learning for Development team to ensure high-quality products. 
• Attending regular check-in meetings with the USAID Learning for Development team. 

Deliverables 

• Weekly or bi-weekly check-in meeting with the USAID Learning for Development team 
• Draft and final design report including evaluation tools and workplan. 
• Conduct data collection and field work
• Draft initial findings report and presentation 
• Conduct a presentation and workshop with USAID and Learning for Development on initial findings 
• Contribute to develop final evaluation report and presentation slides

Knowledge and Qualifications 

• Master's degree in Economics, Development studies, Trade, Business Administration or related field
• 8+ years of professional experience in trade, competitiveness, private sector development market and non-market based financial services, or a relevant sector is required
• Strong understanding of entrepreneurship and the enabling environment for business in Nepal
• Experience working on performance evaluations of or research related to trade, market competitiveness, economic development, or other related topics strongly preferred
• Demonstrated skills in facilitating participatory processes to interpret and develop recommendations from research 
• Strong communication skills, management, and writing skills required 

Timeline, Location, and Level of Effort (LoE) 

The assignment will last from approximately October 2024 through March 2025, with an estimated total of 45 days of LoE. The assignment will be fully or nearly fully remote, with a possible trip required to collect data in project locations.

Please note that candidates selected may undergo a background investigation and, if applicable, meet eligibility requirements for suitability.

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