Evaluation Specialist – Education Sector

Job Description

SRD Center is seeking a qualified Evaluation Specialist to join a multidisciplinary team conducting the final evaluation of a multi-year education sector system-strengthening programme in Jordan.

The assignment will examine programme performance and results across areas including education sector policy and planning, monitoring and evaluation, institutional strengthening, education data and statistics, evidence-based decision-making, governance and coordination, education financing, gender equality and inclusion, digital transformation, and crisis-sensitive planning.

The Evaluation Specialist will work closely with the Team Leader and other team members and will contribute to evaluation design, desk review, data collection, stakeholder consultations, analysis, triangulation, reporting, and development of recommendations.

Tasks

The Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for:

• Contributing to the development of the evaluation methodology and technical approach.
• Supporting preparation of the inception report, evaluation matrix, stakeholder mapping, consultation plan, sampling approach, data collection instruments, and workplan.
• Conducting a detailed desk review of programme documentation, strategies, policies, reports, monitoring information, previous evaluations, and technical outputs.
• Reviewing the programme Theory of Change and results framework.
• Conducting key informant interviews, focus group discussions, stakeholder consultations, and other data collection activities.
• Supporting qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.
• Participating in consultations with government institutions, education sector stakeholders, development partners, programme personnel, and beneficiaries.
• Assessing programme performance against the evaluation criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.
• Assessing changes in institutional capacities, systems, processes, and organizational practices.
• Examining the extent to which programme-supported reforms and approaches have been institutionalized and sustained.
• Contributing technical analysis in areas relevant to the candidate’s expertise.
• Triangulating evidence from documents, interviews, focus groups, surveys, monitoring data, and other sources.
• Identifying achievements, implementation challenges, good practices, lessons learned, unintended results, and factors affecting programme performance.
• Contributing to the development of practical and evidence-based recommendations.
• Supporting preparation and delivery of preliminary findings and validation presentations.
• Drafting and reviewing sections of the draft and final evaluation reports.
• Contributing to preparation of the recommendations matrix and final presentation.
• Addressing comments and feedback on assigned sections and analytical areas.
• Supporting the preparation and organization of datasets, consultation records, analysis files, and other evaluation documentation.
• Applying ethical evaluation principles, confidentiality, informed consent, gender sensitivity, inclusion, human rights, and the “do no harm” principle throughout the assignment.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should have:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in Education, Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics, Public Administration, Information Systems, Evaluation, or another relevant discipline.
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in evaluation, research, assessment, analytical studies, or related assignments.
• Demonstrated experience supporting evaluations through qualitative and/or quantitative data collection and analysis.
• Experience working on education sector programmes, policy, institutional strengthening, or related development programmes is strongly preferred.
• Technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- education sector planning and policy; - monitoring and evaluation; - education statistics and data analysis; - education data systems and EMIS; - digital transformation; - education financing and budgeting; - institutional capacity development; - governance and partnership coordination; - gender equality and inclusion; - crisis-sensitive education planning.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Experience conducting interviews, focus group discussions, stakeholder consultations, and/or surveys.
• Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative evidence into clear findings and recommendations.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Good command of English.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary evaluation team.
• Willingness to undertake fieldwork and travel within Jordan as required.
• Previous experience working with government institutions, international organizations, or development partners is an advantage.
• Experience in Jordan and/or the Middle East region is an advantage.

Candidates must be independent from the programme being evaluated and should disclose any previous involvement that could represent an actual or perceived conflict of interest.