Who we are:
MarketShare Associates (MSA) is a socially driven consulting firm committed to creating, implementing and measuring innovative economic development. We take a systems approach to problem understanding – we recognize that inclusive, sustainable development is a complex challenge. It requires us to think at multiple levels within a dynamic environment influenced by social, economic and political factors. We also take a bespoke approach to every engagement, developing tailored and contextually rooted services for clients across our three practice areas:
• Empower – economic empowerment and inclusive business
• Perform – market research and management
• Measure – results measurement and evaluation
We work with a large variety of clients and partners including bilateral and multilateral donors, non-profits and private companies, in dozens of countries across six continents.

Our work:
At MSA, our staff build results measurement systems for development programs, social enterprises and impact investors; research power dynamics and their influence on market behaviors; train client staff to think more systemically about the problems they seek to address; pitch MSA’s services to new potential clients; write thought pieces; and brainstorm new approaches to old problems. Regardless of task, our focus on disrupting the status quo demands critical engagement. We are committed to:
• Conducting rigorous research and analysis
• Testing innovations and rapidly learning
• Unlocking the complexity of market and people dynamics
• Building local capabilities
• Fostering trust and dedication
• Providing insight into why change happens (or not)
• Making impacts more sustainable and inclusive

Formative evaluation of challenge fund project:**
A significant challenge fund project – aiming to improve trade competitiveness and regional integration in East Africa – is currently implementing two separate challenge funds. One of the challenge funds aims to boost economic growth and regional trade in the East African Community and the region’s trade with the rest of the world. The fund challenges businesses, private sector organisations and civil society organizations from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda to develop innovate ideas aimed at promoting cross-border trade in East Africa. The other challenge fund aims to improve efficiency in transport and logistics in East Africa, in light of compelling evidence that reducing transport costs is vital for growing prosperity through trade. The fund is a development finance instrument that provides grant funding to innovative business projects in the transport and logistics sector.
The project seeks to conduct a formative evaluation to measure the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of its two challenge funds. The primary audience for the evaluation is an evaluation committee, implementing organizations and their key stakeholders, as well as development partners. The findings will inform ongoing implementation and the development of a strategy for a second phase of project implementation. The evaluation will employ a wide range of analytical tools and methodologies, including: systemic change analysis, value for money analysis, cost benefit analysis, and impact projections.
MSA has formed a team of experts in monitoring and evaluation, with strong understanding of the DCED Standard, experience with private sector development initiatives in East Africa, and ability to integrate a gender lens into results measurement, in order to provide the project with the best qualified team to undertake this evaluation.

About this position:
MSA seeks a talented evaluation professional with substantial successful experience leading and managing evaluation assignments of a similar nature – and with in-depth knowledge of private sector development and trade – to serve as short-term Team Leader for the evaluation of the challenge funds.
The Evaluation Team Leader will be responsible for coordinating team members and ensuring project management. The Team Leader should be based in East Africa and will act as the local contact who can meet in-person with implementers and funders in Nairobi whenever required. This role is responsible for ensuring that the formative evaluation addresses the five key areas of effectiveness, impact, relevance, sustainability, and efficiency.

Requirements:
• The team leader should have at least 10 years’ experience and be based in East Africa.
• Education qualification of at least a Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Economics or relevant Social Sciences.
• Based in East Africa with strong understanding of the local and regional context.
• In-depth knowledge of private sector development and trade with demonstrated experience in working on similar assignments involving private sector development and market systems.
• Demonstrated experience of using evaluations as a tool for lesson-learning both during programme implementation and beyond.
• Strong communication skills – being strategic as well as able to communicate complex studies and findings to non-technical people.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive relationships tactfully and productively. Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to work flexibly with donors, partner countries, private sector entities.
• Experience of designing and undertaking evaluations of multi-component development programmes, using mixed methods approaches that meet recognised standards for credibility and rigor.
• Strong analytical, data validation and quality assurance skills.
• Strong understanding of the strengths and limitations of different designs and how to interpret and present findings accurately to both researchers and non-researchers.
• Understanding of poverty reduction pathways, social inclusion and gender issues in programming.
• Ability to prioritize and deliver high quality work within tight timelines and with minimal supervision.

HOW TO APPLY:
Reporting directly to MSA Principal Consultant, the Evaluation Team Leader will provide approximately 14-21 days of input over a period of approximately 4 months. Interested and qualified candidates should send a CV and 1-2 page cover letter to jobs@marketshareassociates.com.