Key Position Information
Job Title
Senior Evidence & Learning
Advisor for Economic
Development
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Date updated: 22/01/2016
Position Reports To
Evidence and Learning Manager
Group
Public Private Partnerships
Department
Program Development
Next up Manager
Director, Program Development
Direct Reports
0
Indirect Reports
0
Primary Purpose of Job
Capabilities
The purpose of this role is to lead the development of the evidence building
strategy and plan for World Vision Australia’s (WVA) work in economic
development across WVA’s priority country programs and models. This will
include a focus on evidence building across existing program models such as
Local Value Chain Development (LVCD) and Business Facilitation (BF), as well
as new and emerging approaches in economic and private sector
development. The role will utilise this evidence to support program
improvement and also to position WVA as international thought leader in the
space of economic and private sector development.
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The role also has a major focus on providing high quality design and
evaluation (DM&E) technical advice to new and existing economic
development programs, utilising robust and rigorous methodologies that
improve program measurement, evaluation quality and deeper understanding
of economic development outcomes.
Collaboration
Communication & Influencing
Managing relationships
Service and delivery focus
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Team
Evidence and Learning
(working closely with SEED
team)
Financial Accountability
No
Analysis and problem solving
Results focused
Strategic thinking
Planning and organising
Priority tasks include:
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Manage a portfolio of economic development research and evaluation
studies in the economic development field with special focus in Local
Value Chain Development and Business Facilitation interventions
Develop partnerships, agreements or consultancy contracts with national
and international organisations that are expert in evaluating programs in
the economic development field.
Contribute to the design of grants acquisitions in priority countries of
economic development projects.
Lead the development of appropriate methodologies and tools
Ensure quality of research supports WVA’s reputation as thought leaders
in the economic development field by communicating the evidence to the
right audiences in the right format.
Day To Day Responsibilities (A typical day)
Economic Development programs are a central priority of World Vision Australia which has strategically chosen to emphasise development interventions that build the
resilience and livelihoods of poor communities. This role draws upon the project approaches and tools that WV uses in economic development programs and builds
analysis, evidence and learning that can be used to influence donors, and position WVA as an effective, innovative and learning organisation in the area of economic
development.
Research and Evaluation: This role builds towards the deep understanding of evidence in priority sectors for WVA and ensures evidence gaps are identified and prioritised
in the development of future evaluations to ensure gaps are overcome. The role works closely with several WVA and WV International (WVI) teams to ensure strong
project and results measurement designs are developed to support the development of an economic development evidence base. The role support the development of
evidence based programs in the economic development field.
This role collaborates closely with other technical, program development, and program management expertise across WV Partnership and within WVA to improve the
quality of the evidence WVA supports. This role liaises with WVA Country Portfolio Advisors to negotiate and schedule project evaluations, leads the co-creation of
documentation for evaluations (terms of reference, budgets, consultant contracts, etc) and documents evidence-building, and lessons learned regarding relevant project
models and piloted projects. This role also links with potential external programming and consulting partners to achieve this goal.
This role supports (in country and desk support as needed) the whole program cycle to ensure world class evaluations are delivered, including: grants proposal writing;
design evaluation frameworks, support the development of indicators; design and review ToRs, methodologies, data collection tools, and evaluation reports. The role will
also communicate and disseminate evaluation results to as part internal and external community of practice/networking activity and leads the design and delivery of
capacity building events for evaluation quality improvement within WVA and WVI.
“I am passionate about ensuring that World Vision Australia’s work in economic development is well measured and tested in order to continue improving the quality of
economic development programs and outcomes for poorer communities in developing countries. I am excited about utilising my results measurement and evidence
building expertise across the economic development field within an internationally regarded organisation”
Travel Requirements
Frequency
Infrequent (5-20%)
Role Balance
Locations
Domestic and International
Key Accountabilities
People – percentage of time getting
Scheduling – planning,
Technical – delivering based on
things done through others
coordinating
knowledge and skills
20 %
10 %
70 %
Measured by
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Lead the strategy to build robust program evidence base across
economic development programming
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Supporting the strengthening of results measurement, research
and evaluation quality across WVA’s economic development
programs
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Provide leadership to the evidence building strategy and activities for WVAs
economic and private sector development programs and models (including focus
on smallholder agricultural value chains, small business development, youth
livelihoods and employment, etc).
In collaboration with other Evidence and Learning (E&L) Advisors and SEED team;
support and undertake review of evaluations and studies that are relevant to
strengthening economic development models in WVA priority areas.
Carry out evidence gap analysis and in-depth literature reviews to support the
strategic direction of economic development interventions and make
recommendations for improvements to intervention targeting, selection and
design.
Lead analysis to identify gaps, trends, significant changes, best practices and
strengthen WVA’s value proposition on WVA priority areas
Communicate and share evidence findings with technical experts within WVA, WVI,
supporters and with policy/advocacy stakeholders.
Influence economic development evidence building strategy and prioritisation in
WVI partnership as is a WVA strategic area of interest
Based on evidence and evaluation needs, influence the design of economic
development programs during grants, program design and evaluation phases.
Coordinate and contribute to the generation of high quality evaluation and
research studies to test and demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of economic
development initiatives and approaches (for example: Local Value Chain
Development and Business Facilitation).
% of role
40
30
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Contribute to new program acquisition activity
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Thought leadership and networking within economic development
and results measurement communities of practice
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Liaise with research/academic institutions and consultants (where appropriate) to
acquire high quality specialist expertise for results measurement or research
activities
Provide feedback on results measurement related documents (ToRs, evaluation
designs, indicators, data collection tools, draft reports, etc)
Design and lead capacity building activities to improve the skills and knowledge of
WV staff and colleagues involved in results measurement processes
Contribute and participate in broader evidence and learning initiatives and reviews
within WVA and WVI
Lead desk-based contributions and reviews to strengthen grant/tender bids by
designing and drafting results measurement and evaluation frameworks into grant
proposals for economic development programs. Promote high quality and rigorous
results measurement practices and strategy
Support M&E frameworks during design phase in priority evaluations.
Represent WVA at selection panels and committees for competitive grant and
tendering presentations
Actively represent WVA in sector/ thematic peak bodies including Donor
Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED), BEAM Exchange, Market
Facilitation Initiative (MaFI), SEEP Network, AES and ACFID
Enhance WVA’s leadership role as a credible voice on economic development
programs among sector donors, partners, influencers and supporters
Translate and communicate evidence, learning and insights to supporters and
stakeholders through targeted reports, study briefs, learning forums, and
presentations.
20
10
Role Requirement
Skills
(the technical
skills to do the
job)
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Demonstrated skills in conducting economic
development research and evaluations and developed
indicators
Demonstrated experience using rigorous quantitative
methodologies to measure economic development
outcomes of community development projects (i.e.
income)
Demonstrated high-level understanding of a range of
Wisdom
(the sensitive
tasks that require
good judgement)
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Uses discernment and interpersonal skills to establish needs,
concerns, feelings, expectations and motivations of colleagues and
stakeholders
Tailors economic development messaging and approaches to range
of cultural and faith backgrounds
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Knowledge &
Qualifications
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(the specific
qualifications and
knowledge
required)
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Experience
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(the experience
gained - including
environment,
timeframe and
context)
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research and evaluation methodologies, preferably in an
international development context and M&E framework
design.
Demonstrated leadership & coordination skills of
evaluations, reviews and meta-analysis
Demonstrated skills in managing evaluations
Demonstrated skills in leveraging evaluation, reports or
case studies for influencing stakeholders to support
evidence-based decision making.
Proven ability to connect sectoral issues and
programmatic approaches on economic development.
Strategic and innovative thinking in evaluation initiatives
and methodologies
Stakeholder engagement and capacity to partner with
academic organisations.
High level verbal and written communication skills
Tertiary qualification in economics, social
science/related fields
Detailed knowledge of current approaches to economic
development programming
Demonstrated experience in economic development
specific field-based programs
Experience in program evaluation methodologies (e.g
impact evaluation, pre-post designs, difference in
difference, etc)
Field-based evaluative research on economic
development programming
Experience in policy influence, advocacy or research in
related field
Desirable: field-based experience in program
implementation in relief and development settings,
ideally in Asia and Pacific.
Valuing
(the type of work
someone
undertaking this
role would need
to value)
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Respect for other people’s opinions and thoughts about economic
development and evaluation methodologies.
Other
(practical
requirements
such as licences,
passport etc)
Our Culture on a Page
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an emergency strikes
We Are Responsive
Be Proactive
Be Prepared
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and do what they say they will do
We Value People
Be Genuine
Be Clear
Organisation Chart