International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a U.S. based international development consulting company established in 1987, has worked in over one hundred countries and implemented over three hundred projects.  IBTCI serves government agencies, private sector companies and several donor agencies.  IBTCI specializes in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) across many sectors including, but not limited to, conflict and crisis, democracy and governance, economic growth, education, environment, and global health.

Assignment Title : DQA Specialist, DRC

Department/Location : DRC

Technical Point of Contact : COP

Type : Consultant

Classification : Consultancy

Overview :

MECC is a five-year contract implemented by IBTCI to provide monitoring, evaluation, analytic, coordination, and research services to USAID/DRC’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), and the USAID/DFID joint education program (ACCELERE!). It supports Mission-wide objectives and provide analytical tools and services that allows the Mission to undertake performance management that will guide them in the full implementation of the CDCS PMP and ACCELERE! results framework. MECC services include performance monitoring, support to the Mission’s Learning Agenda, coordination among stakeholders at the provincial level, and M&E capacity building for Mission staff, IPs, and other relevant stakeholders. This MECC consultancy is approximately two months beginning October, 2019 to January, 2020, for up to 40 days of LOE.

USAID/DRC regularly collects performance data from its implementing partners (IPs) and analyzes it to make management decisions. Since poor quality data could affect conclusions about performance and lead to faulty decision making, USAID requires that all Missions / Offices conduct regular Data Quality Assessments (DQA). According to ADS 201, the purpose of a DQA is to: “…ensure that the USAID staff are aware of the: strengths and weaknesses of the data, as determined by applying the five data quality standards; and extent to which the data integrity can be trusted to influence management decisions” (ADS 210.3.5.8).

A DQA often entails site visits to physically inspect records maintained by IPs. However, travel restrictions for USAID staff in DRC limit the ability of AORs and CORs to conduct site visits. Thus, the second purpose of this task is to form joint teams consisting of both USAID staff and a contracted DQA Team so that in-depth DQAs can be conducted.

The period of performance for this consultancy is approximately two months beginning October, 2019 to January, 2020, for up to 40 days of LOE.

Scope of Work :  

The DQA Specialist will plan and conduct DQAs for up to 20 indicators contributed to by multiple implementing mechanisms. The DQA Specialist may also provide associated training and mentoring for USAID staff.

Desk Review :

The Consultant must review relevant documentation, including: past DQAs; the USAID/DRC Performance Management Plan; IP Monitoring & Evaluation Plans; Indicator Tracking Tables (ITT); implementing partner quarterly reports; and old and recently revised F indicator lists and definitions. The Consultant will then review and revise, if necessary, MECC DQA materials.

Data Collection :

The DQA Specialist will participate in and oversee collection of data in Kinshasa, DRC and, as necessary, the DRC regions, using the USAID standard checklist.

Data Analysis :

The DQA Specialist will oversee the review of each indicator against the quality standards and complete a DQA checklist for each indicator. This analysis must include a review of any changes that IPs have implemented in response to recommendations made in previous DQAs, including actions taken in response to recommendations, and an analysis of their success, as applicable. Based on this review, the DQA Specialist will recommendations for both USAID and IPs to address any emerging data quality issues.

Documentation and Reporting :

The DQA Specialist will draft and submit a detailed DQA report to MECC using a template provided and based on discussions with the DQA team members. The report must: (i) outline the overall approach and methodology used in conducting the DQA; (ii) present findings in terms of the five data quality standards for each indicator; (iii) summarize recommendations for improving data quality; and (iv) include a completed DQA checklist for each of the indicators. The report must also include a review of responses to recommendations made in the last DQA, when they are available, and progress toward achieving them.

Capacity building of USAID staff :

• As needed, the Consultant will provide capacity building support for relevant USAID staff. This may include training, lectures, discussions, and practice exercises to ensure that relevant USAID staff are able to internalize information provided and apply their learning ;
• This position does not authorize/require the consultant to directly communicate with IBTCI clients ;
• This position does not authorize/require the consultant to have decision making authority on final work product.

Deliverables :

All deliverables must be consistent with USAID Automated Directive Systems (ADS) directives, as informed by TIPS #12: Data Quality Standards. IBTCI anticipates the assignment will include production of the following deliverables. The final list of deliverables will be included in the consultant agreement :

• On the job capacity building with USAID staff, related to DQAs ;
• Validation meeting with USAID and IP(s) ;
• Write draft DQA report ;
• Write final DQA report for project team.

Expectations and Protocols :

• The DQA Specialist is responsible for ensuring that the processes used and documents produced are based on Agency best practices and meet the requirements set forth in the current ADS ;
• The DQA Specialist has no authority to communicate to any party directly or indirectly involved in DQA unless otherwise agreed upon with COP and USAID/DRC ;
• All activities by the DQA Specialist will be provided in cooperation with the MECC DCOP M&E and the COP ;
• The consultant will work in a highly consultative and collaborative manner with major stakeholders ;
• If/when providing remote support, the DQA Specialist will, within reason and with advance notice, be available during Kinshasa working hours ;
• The DQA Specialist will be expected to provide his or her own laptop. MECC will provide necessary peripherals (printer, printing paper, internet, and mobile phone) to the consultant. All expenses associated to the assignment (transportation, lodging, logistic and administrative support) will be provided by MECC.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Expertise with planning and conducting DQAs for USAID-funded programs ;
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering DQA trainings ;
• Professional experience in conflict affected and fragile states ;
• Strong analytical and writing skills ; and
• Professional written and oral proficiency in French strongly preferred

Minimum Requirements :

• BA/BS in relevant field or equivalent ;
• 8 years minimum relevant work experience in international development and/or field related to this consultancy ;
• Demonstrated experience planning and implementing DQAs for USAID-funded programs ;
• English oral and written fluency.

Education : BA/BS in relevant field; graduate degree preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility :  This position doesn’t have any supervisory responsibilities.

Travel :  Based on the location of IP offices and activities, it is expected that the DQA Specialist will need to travel to some of the sites for the actual DQA process.

Place of Performance : The place of performance is DRC.

No phone calls please.  All candidates will be acknowledged, but only final candidates for particular activities will be contacted.

IBTCI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other classification protected by applicable anti-discrimination laws.  We prohibit and do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment.