Job Opportunity at Internews, Project Evaluator

Internews has been deeply engaged with media in Tanzania through a variety of USAID funded Democracy and Governance interventions. Under the five-year project “Tanzania Media and Civil Society Strengthening (TMCS)” Project (August 2017- July 2022), Internews has been working with a core group of 20 community and local radio stations from nine regions. It provided small grants to radio stations and civil society organizations (CSOs) to implement advocacy campaigns using traditional and social media. TMCS has been supporting media to report on legal reforms, the COVID pandemic, elections, reconciliation, and reform processes, as well as gender-based violence (GBV), youth and women related issues.

This highly targeted thematic work has demonstrable results. Since late 2017, the project has trained over 800 editors, journalists and talk show hosts, and supported the production of over 5,000 media stories related to social issues, GBV, elections, COVID19, reconciliation and the legal reform processes. Meanwhile, media activities have improved the link between CSOs and the media and stimulated an informed discourse on good governance, the rights of people with disabilities, and education, with an emphasis on youth and women issues.

The goal of the TMCS project is to support an open, inclusive environment in which media and civil society provide accurate and impartial information that promotes participation, inclusion, and accountability.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Given that the TMCS project is coming to an end, Internews intends to engage an independent consultant to conduct a final project evaluation. The main purpose of the evaluation is to assess the extent to which TMCS supported an open, inclusive environment in which media and civil society provided accurate and impartial information that promoted participation, inclusion and accountability. More specifically, the evaluation will aim to:

• Assess the project design, approach to implementation, partnerships, activities and outputs in relation to the project goals and objectives.
• Assess the quality and efficacy of the project’s Monitoring & Evaluation process.
• Assess the extent to which the project achieved its expected results while highlighting any unexpected results.
• Provide evidence demonstrating whether and how the project contributed to long-term change for target beneficiaries.
• Provide lessons learned about what has and hasn’t worked and why and give clear recommendations for future projects in Tanzania.
• The primary audience for the evaluation report will be Internews, FHI 360, USAID/Tanzania and other key stakeholders.
• To this end, Internews is inviting qualified consultants to propose a detailed methodology and approach for the evaluation based on the information outlined below.

Evaluation Methodology

In developing an appropriate methodology, the consultant must consider potential limitations and include best-practice mitigation measures. The evaluation must be supported by data and information collected from engagements with beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders. The evaluation must clearly demonstrate links between the data collected and the subsequent findings, conclusions and recommendations drawn. The consultant must not just provide an accounting of performance against targets but provide independent analysis.

While the detailed methodology as well as all relevant tools will be developed and presented by the consultant as part of the inception report, the data collection should use a mixed method research methodology, including both quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of the outcomes of the project. These include but are not limited to:

• Review of available background documents (project documents, such as proposal and workplans, project monitoring data and reports, any other relevant reports and evaluations or assessments as provided for by Internews),
• Key informant interviews with project staff members and implementing partners,
• Focus group discussions with key stakeholders and project beneficiaries,
• Surveys with key stakeholders and project beneficiaries.

The consultant must place emphasis on the collection of reliable empirical data and/or objectively verifiable evidence as opposed to anecdotal evidence. Where surveys or interviews are involved, the consultant should provide information on an appropriate and strategic sampling methodology. Furthermore, the consultant should also provide information on the timeframe, team composition and budget that allows for implementation of a comprehensive evaluation that adequately meets the objectives set above.

LOGISTICS

Internews has field offices in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The ideal candidate is based in and eligible to work in Tanzania.

Wherever possible, we work to try to find solutions for international hiring that work for both the company and the candidate. This means that some of the particulars around the offer for a role will be dependent on several factors, and that the benefits and salary structure that apply to a position will ultimately be based upon the candidate’s location and where the role is hired.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR

An advanced degree (PhD preferred) in media, journalism, communication, international development, evaluation, or related field;

• At least 10 years of experience conducting research/evaluations in difficult contexts, particularly for US Donors;
• Strong knowledge of international NGO operations, including program design, implementation and Monitoring & Evaluation;
• Extensive experience in conflict sensitive journalism;
• Demonstrated expertise conducting research in the region, particularly in Tanzania;
• Evidence of publishing research in respected journals;
• Excellent inter-cultural communication skills/cultural sensitivity and the ability to forge strong cross-cultural relationships and build trust demonstrated through previous intercultural experience;
• Strong facilitation, presentation, writing and communication skills;
• Fluency in English. Swahili language skills are also preferred.

This position is being offered and hired by Internews Network. Benefits will be consistent with Internews Network’s offerings and will be reviewed during the hiring process. Additional information can be found on our About Working for Internews page

How to apply

Interested consultants should submit the following:

A proposal of maximum four pages, describing how your methodological approach will address the scope planned for this evaluation; how your profile meets the criteria for selection of consultants listed above, potential limitations in the evaluation, and an indicative timeline and budget;

CV;

Indicative team profile;

Three previous, similar assignments carried out in the recent past including, contact information of the organizations for which these services were provided.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY