Team Leader, Iraq DRG Assessment, Remote

Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Project Summary:

MSI anticipates implementing an Iraq Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) Assessment for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Iraq to inform strategy efforts and portfolio planning. The DRG Assessment will focus on civil society, governance, civic engagement, economic governance and cross-cutting themes. The outputs will provide key analysis and actionable recommendations aligned with the USAID Iraq Mission’s strategic goals to guide CDCS development and current and future programming.

**Please note: All citizenships are eligible for this position**

Position Summary:

The Team Leader will be on a short-term assignment to serve as the lead researcher and writer for the assessment. The Team Leader will oversee data collection and analysis conducted by a team including both US/TCN and Iraqi-based experts, providing leadership, supervision, and mentorship. The Team Leader will provide critical technical expertise and will be responsible for producing high-quality deliverables, including a final report. The Team Leader will carry out the tasks in coordination with MSI and USAID/Iraq. The anticipated timeline for this assignment is December 2024 through mid-April 2025.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop the Inception Report, which is submitted to USAID for review, to include the overall DRG Assessment work plan, research design, methodology, timeline/schedule, initial research questions, list of key informants (KIs) and desk research sources in coordination with the Activity Manager.
• Conduct desk research including review of identified background documentation from the USAID Iraq Mission and other sources and synthesize into succinct analysis.
• Manage the formulation of the final interview protocol for planned semi-structured interviews with KIs and potential focus group discussions in virtual/and or in-person formats, guiding the local level data collection and complement gaps identified during the desk analysis.
• Supervise two teams remotely of approximately six Qualitative Researchers with subject matter expertise in 2-3 field sites in Iraq.
• Oversee and ensure timely coordination of the SME’s field work and consolidation of the information. 
• Participate in planning and biweekly update meetings with the USAID Iraq Mission, MSI and SME teams, as needed.
• Oversee the research team in qualitative data analysis and synthesize findings.
• Prepare a Mid-Point DRG Assessment workshop session and presentation with the USAID Iraq Mission focused on key findings and recommendations as well as respond to queries and incorporate feedback and requests for revisions received.
• Write and draft the Final DRG Assessment Report for submission outlining the comprehensive assessment findings with actionable recommendations tailored to inform the USAID Iraq Mission´s DRG strategic goals and objectives and to guide current and future programming decisions.
• Respond to request for revisions and consolidate USAID Iraq Mission and MSI feedback, recommendations and incorporate into the Final Report.
• Prepare a Final DRG Assessment workshop session and presentation with the USAID Iraq Mission focused on the complete analysis, key findings recommendations.
• Deliver briefings as requested by USAID providing findings, conclusions, and recommendations to USAID/Iraq and/or ME/TS stakeholders.
• Travel to Iraq as necessary to provide final briefings and/or assessment utilization workshops.