Team Leader - USP Evaluation

Assignment Description:

USAID Lebanon funds two higher education scholarship programs with two different universities.  This support’s USAID’s objective to increase the private sector competitiveness through increased workforce readiness linked to job opportunities.

1. University Scholarship Program (USP) run by Lebanese American University (LAU)
2. University Scholarship Program (USP) & Refugee Scholarship Support (RSS) Program run by American University of Beirut (AUB).

The University Scholarships Program VII (USP-VII) at LAU is funded by USAID to provide full scholarships to academically exceptional and financially needy Lebanese public school graduates. The program is divided into 3 cycles and each cycle will target around 57 scholars. The performance period of this Agreement started in s September 30, 2015 and expected to end September 29, 2023. For each of the 3 cycles of USP VII, LAU embarked on a thorough recruitment campaign, transparent selection and vetting process, extensive orientation and integration program, well managed academic advising and leadership training to ensure that the 57 scholars chosen for each cycle will graduate, be employed and succeed in contributing to their communities and to Lebanon.  LAU also created a control group of non-selected scholars in order to better measure the impact of the USP program, while continuing to monitor students post-graduation. With 5 USP grants awarded in the last 5 years--243 current scholars, 38 expected to graduate, 42 students about to be recruited— LAU continues to strengthen and streamline its management, drawing heavily on lessons learned and USAID involvement.

The Higher Education Scholarship Program (HES) with the American University of Beirut is funded by USAID and provides support for the implementation of two different scholarship programs. The performance period of this Agreement started in September 30, 2018 and expected to end September 29, 2027.  The HES program consist of two components: USP-VII and RSS. The purpose of these programs USP VII and Refugee Scholarship Support programs at AUB is to increase the private sector competitiveness through improved workforce readiness linked to job opportunities. This purpose is ultimately met through improving the dissemination and outreach of the programs to financially needy and meritorious Lebanese public and regular schools’ male and female graduates who have completed a regular or technical academic formation for their high school years. The scholarship program sets a cap of 5,000,000 LP approx. 3, 315 USD or less for the schooling tuition fees to consider candidates from private regular schools.

Component 1: University Scholarships Program VII (USP-VII) at AUB provides full scholarships to academically exceptional and financially needy Lebanese public school graduates. It enables meritorious and financially disadvantaged Lebanese public regular, public technical schools, and private regular schools’ graduates to access quality higher education to increase job readiness and maximize their potential in supporting Lebanon’s democratic and economic development.  The USP VII is a nine-year program allowing the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of four Lebanese student cohorts, one cohort every year during the first four years of implementation and four academic years.  The performance period of this Agreement started in September 30, 2015 and expected to end September 29, 2023.  Through the University Scholarship Program, AUB expects to recruit 156 students in three cohorts (each of 52 students) over three years, males and females, from different confessions and the different districts in Lebanon for a period of eight years.

Component 2:  Refugee Scholarship Support (RSS) HES will offer scholarships to non-Lebanese, having refugee status and are legally residing in Lebanon, to complete undergraduate studies. RSS allows the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of one cohort of non-Lebanese refugee students for up to four academic years. The American University of Beirut (AUB), founded in 1866, bases its educational philosophy, standards, and practices on the American liberal arts model of higher education. A teaching centered research university, AUB has around 900 instructional faculty members and a student body of around 9,200 students. The University encourages freedom of thought and expression and seeks to graduate men and women committed to creative and critical thinking, life-long learning, personal integrity, civic responsibility, and leadership.

SI is seeking an Assessment Team Leader (Senior), international or local, with experience evaluating and assessing university scholarship programs run by USAID.  The TL will be supported by PMSPL II staff members to conduct the assessment. The expected start date for the expert is January 15, 2021. The expert will be hired for the duration of the evaluation. The deadline for the submission of the Draft Report to USAID is March 30, 2021.  The expected number of LOEs is 45 days.

​​​​​​​Responsibilities:

• During the pre-field work period, the TL will work with the evaluation team to develop the evaluation framework, fine tune the questions, design the methodology and data collection strategy, evaluation tool guides (KIIs & FGD), and prepare an outline for data analysis.

• During the kick-off period, the TL will work with the evaluation team to finalize the interview guides, finalize the logistics for the field work, draft and submit the inception report for USAID.

• At the field level, the TL will work with the evaluation team to interview key stakeholders and carry out focus group discussions (if possible and needed) as well as prepare summaries of the interviews and meetings to be included in the assessment report.

• At the post-field work level, the TL is expected to work with the evaluation team to analyze the data, write up sections of the report and assist in presenting main findings for USAID.

• The expert is expected to support the evaluation team in responding to USAID comments on the draft report and support the team in submitting a final report to USAID mission.

Qualifications:

• The Team Leader must hold a PhD in Education and/or related field.
• He/She should have at least 10 years of experience working in the education sector and/or social development sector specifically managing, assessing, evaluating higher education programs and/or scholarship programs. 
• He/She should have at least 5 years of experience evaluating development projects (preferable education), with knowledge of USAID evaluation requirements and protocols.

• He /She should have good understanding of recruitment, orientation, student integration, academic advising, civic engagement, leadership program, academic achievement, job readiness skills, career counseling and job placement, etc.
• He/ She should have good understanding of the current structure, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the academic system in Lebanon and existing gaps and mis-match between educational skill sets and the job market and placement challenges. Previous knowledge and work experience working in Lebanon is an advantage.
• He/She should have demonstrated ability to design and manage the data collection process, including conducting, transcribing and coding KIIs, FGD,  undertake program needs analysis and provide concrete practical recommendations for moving forward.
• He/She should have knowledge of USAID and other international donors that provide support to education sector.
• He/She should be fluent in English; Arabic is a plus
• He/ She is expected to work closely with the assessment team members.

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