Governance and Sustainability Expert at International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI)

job Description

International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a U.S.-based international development consulting company established in 1987, has worked in over 120 countries and implemented over 350 projects worldwide. IBTCI serves government agencies, private sector companies, and several international organizations. IBTCI specializes in monitoring, evaluation, research, learning (MERL), and institutional support across many areas and sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture and food security, economic growth, environment, global health, democracy and governance, conflict and crisis.

Job Title: Governance and Sustainability Expert
Department/Location: Harare/Zimbabwe
Reports To: Evaluation Team Leader
Type: Regular Full-Time
Classification: Short-Term

Overview: IBTCI is in search of a qualified Governance and Sustainability Expert to join our evaluation team for the anticipated USAID/Zimbabwe Evaluation of Community Gardens' Contribution to Household Income and Nutrition in Zimbabwe. The selected candidate will be pivotal in assessing the governance structure and sustainability of community gardens in Zimbabwe. This evaluation aims to provide essential insights into the factors that influence the long-term success and sustainability of community gardens, focusing on governance, water supply, production, and marketing. The ideal Governance and Sustainability Expert should possess prior experience in similar evaluations, including proficiency in data collection and analysis. The period of engagement spans six months, commencing in August 2024 and concluding in February 2025. This position is contingent upon receiving the USAID award.

Duties and Responsibilities

-Evaluate the governance structures of community gardens, including the role of Asset Management Committees (AMCs).
-Assess the sustainability of community gardens, focusing on factors such as water supply, production, and market linkages.
-Identify common characteristics of gardens that have remained functional at least three years after the end of the activity.
-Determine the influence of land ownership, garden participant composition, and support systems on garden sustainability.
-Analyze the impact of governance on the functionality and long-term viability of community gardens.
-Participate in designing the evaluation methodology, instruments, and the overall evaluation work plan.
-Conduct site visits, facilitate key informant interviews, and lead other data collection activities.
-Perform secondary data analysis and synthesize existing data and evidence.
-Process both quantitative and qualitative data, including coding qualitative data as part of the analysis.
-Review and analyze qualitative and quantitative data comprehensively.
-Prepare a detailed report on the evaluation findings.
-Develop recommendations and best practices for establishing community gardens, drawing from identified best practices during the review.
-Contribute to the development of a dissemination plan for the evaluation findings.
-Deliver a presentation of the main findings and recommendations.
-Engage in meetings with relevant USAID staff to discuss the assignment and present findings, providing regular updates on the evaluation's progress.
-Ensure all tasks are executed to the highest professional standards, meeting both USAID and IBTCI requirements.
-Guarantee the delivery of high-quality deliverables within set deadlines.
-Maintain effective communication with the evaluation team and relevant stakeholders.
-Ensure compliance with all USAID, IBTCI, and program-specific policies and regulations.
-Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

-A minimum of five years of experience in conducting governance and sustainability evaluations, particularly for development programs.
-Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data effectively.
-No conflict of interest relative to the project or activity being evaluated.
-Ability to travel to Zimbabwe and conduct necessary field visits.
-Fluency in spoken and written English.

Education: A degree in Public Administration, Governance, Sustainable Development, or a related field. Additional certifications or training in evaluation methodologies is an advantage.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
-Expertise in Governance and Sustainability, with a focus on community-based projects.
-Experience in conducting evaluations for USAID or similar organizations.
-Familiarity with the socio-economic and governance context of Zimbabwe or the region.
-Strong skills in both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.
-Experience with community garden projects, particularly in governance and sustainability assessments.
-Ability to analyze governance structures and their impact on project sustainability.
-Excellent report writing and communication skills.
-Knowledge of USAID evaluation policies and procedures.
-Familiarity with ethical considerations in data collection and research, including informed consent, confidentiality, and privacy.
-Gender experience/expertise is preferred.
-Strong time-management, multi-tasking, and organizational skills.