Lead Researchers, USAID DRG Learning, Evaluation, and Research (LER) Activity III, DRG Policy Literature Review

Lead Researchers, USAID Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) -
Learning, Evaluation, and Research (LER) Activity III, DRG Policy Literature Review

Description:
Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Project Objective:
Under the USAID DRG LER III Activity, Social Impact has been commissioned to conduct three evidence reviews on four primary research questions related to the following topics: (1) civil society capacity building, (2) citizen and civil society participation and monitoring and oversight of public officials, and (3) training. The research questions that the evidence reviews will answer are:

Question 1: What are the best ways to build civil society organizational capacity to better achieve DRG outcomes?

Question 2: What approaches are most effective in fostering citizen participation and engagement and building sufficient trust to foster such engagement?

Question 3: What are the keys to making citizen, civil society, and media monitoring of and engagement with government effective at increasing government accountability and improving policy outcomes?

Question 4: Under what programmatic and contextual conditions do trainings lead to post-training behavior change among training participants?

The goal of the evidence reviews is to provide clear and actionable summaries of the evidence on what works, for whom, and variation based on programmatic contextual factors. The reviews will provide USAID and implementing partners actionable information and evidence that can inform their designs and implementation approaches related to the three selected topics. The research teams will develop a webinar from USAID staff and implementing partners from each review to disseminate key findings and insights.

The reviews will include both peer reviewed and gray literature. While experimental research will be prioritized, observational research will also be included.

Position Description:
Social Impact (SI) is seeking 1-3 Lead Researchers who will be responsible for leading evidence reviews of peer-reviewed and gray literature to the four tasking research questions. One evidence review will cover questions two and three; the other questions will each be covered by a separate evidence review, for a total of three evidence reviews. Lead Researchers should have deep expertise in at least one of the above three DRG topics.

Lead Researchers will lead the development of their respective evidence review deliverables, which will include:

• Deliverable 1: Client kick-off meeting and regular check-ins
• Deliverable 2: Outline and presentation of preliminary findings to core stakeholder group
• Deliverable 3: Draft evidence review
• Deliverable 4: Presentation of evidence and recommendations discussion with Client
• Deliverable 5: Utilization workshop and draft post-learning action plan
• Deliverable 6: Final evidence review
• Deliverable 7: Draft and revised two-page brief
• Deliverable 8: Webinar dissemination event, slides, and recording
• Deliverable 9: Utilization workshop

Researchers will have the following responsibilities:

• Oversee development of all deliverables, through managing 1-2 Research Assistants
• Provide guidance for evidence review
• Identify gray and peer-reviewed evidence, and lead evidence review of dedicated research question(s)
• Participate in meetings with SI and USAID
• Work closely with SI HQ and other research team members and communicate in a timely and effective manner with all project personnel
• Abide by SI standards of ethics and quality

Researchers will have the following qualifications:

• PhD, or master's degree and eight years of relevant experience
• Academic researchers preferred(graduate students, professors, post-docs, lecturers)
• Political Science background preferred
• Extensive research background in at least one of the research topics, published research in one of the topics strongly preferred
• Prior experience conducting applied research studies and producing reports for USAID preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Flexible availability to conduct evidence reviews and draft reports from February - August required
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to work independently and with team members to meet deadlines and adhere to high-quality standards

The estimated period of performance is February - August 2025 with an estimated LOE of 25 days (per evidence review).

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.