Nickol Global Solutions (NGS) seeks to engage one intermittent M&E Advisor with a technical focus in M&E or Research for/of media and communications programming (both broadcast and digital) under a support contract with USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI). USAID/OTI is a fast-paced, dynamic organization that supports U.S. foreign policy objectives by helping local partners advance peace and democracy by providing fast, flexible, short-term assistance targeted at key political transition and stabilization needs. 

The Advisor will primarily serve in a consultative role to the OTI M&E and Media teams, and may also engage directly with OTI country programs, or other OTI stakeholders. This is anticipated as part-time, ad-hoc work, with inconsistent work hours week to week. No minimum guarantee of hours will be provided in the initial consulting agreement. The role is remote with a possibility for temporary duty (TDY) travel to Washington, D.C., OTI field programs, or other locations as needed.

The Advisor will deliver technical expertise, consulting, training and development, and other services based on the specific needs of the M&E and Media teams, on behalf of OTI country programs undertaking media and communications programming. For example, OTI programs partner with local organizations all over the world who currently use media and communication interventions to: 

• Increase consumption of and demand for independent, fact-based news content; 
• Increase awareness of different perspectives on a topic of public debate (e.g. peace, war, history, public health); 
• Increase empathy towards and decrease marginalization of vulnerable populations (e.g. ethnic or religious groups); 
• Increase social cohesion between two or more groups who have historically been in tension or opposition; 
• Mitigate community-level risks related to hate speech, violent extremist content, and mis/disinformation; 
• Build networks, conversations and participation in public events related to political reforms (e.g. petitions, dialogues); and
• Shift broader social norms or political behaviors towards those that enable more inclusive peace, stability, and democracy.

Duties

The M&E Media Advisor may: 

• Provide technical assistance to enable OTI country programs to develop effective monitoring and evaluation and research systems for media and communication programming, which support and improve the iterative refinement of this programming; 
• Design, lead and/or participate in other special media research initiatives and projects; 
• Design and facilitate participatory learning exercises and sessions, such as advantages/disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative research approaches, or efficacies of digital and conventional broadcasting;
• Lead and/or participate in evaluative efforts of OTI country programs media and communications programming and interventions; 
• Contribute to ongoing initiatives to improve evaluation design, process and utilization; 
• Contribute to OTI knowledge management, coordination, and learning by sharing relevant research or resources with M&E and Media Advisors; 
• Participate in OTI events and meetings to stay abreast of current issues influencing M&E in different programs; and
• When called upon, present innovative and relevant media M&E and research modalities to broader audiences across the Office, Bureau, Agency and at times externally.

Additional requirements: 

• Advisor may travel to OTI country program locations and locations for OTI events. 
• Advisor will primarily book travel and arrange visas through NGS’s travel agent to ensure compliance with applicable laws. 
• Advisor will be given detailed instructions about which programs require support and when based on OTI’s needs.
• Support to OTI field programs will be provided in consultation with relevant members of OTI leadership.

 Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Two years of experience conducting research of, and/or monitoring and evaluating media and communications (broadcast and digital) programming for democracy, peacebuilding, or stabilization outcomes. 
• Demonstrated experience working with TV ratings, radio listenership surveys, SMS/IVR, online panels and polls, digital media analytics, social listening, and other methodologies used to test, monitor and evaluate the offline and online effects of media content. 
• Familiarity with different models, pathways or theories of change used to achieve higher-level outcomes related to peace, stability, and democracy through media and communication programming. 
• Ability to obtain and maintain a USAID facilities access clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of subject matter experience in the areas of conflict/post-conflict, political transitions, countering violent extremism, or stabilization programs;
• At least five years of relevant experience researching, designing, implementing, and/or managing media and/or   communications initiatives 
• Training or coursework in behavioral science, quantitative and qualitative research design, or communications; 
• Working fluency in Spanish, French, Arabic, or Russian; 
• Sectoral experience researching, implementing or evaluating programming in governance, civil society support, transitional justice, and related topics.

NGS will evaluate candidates based on their technical subject knowledge, oral and written communication, and client management skills during at least one oral interview to be conducted with offerors who exceeded the position’s minimum qualifications. Given the nature of the requirement, NGS will also request from the highest rated candidates examples of research papers or evaluations that the candidate has contributed to or authored. These may be lightly sanitized if necessary to protect activities or partners implementing the given project.

About the Organization

Nickol Global Solutions (NGS) provides a wide range of management consulting and advisory services designed to fortify stakeholder capacity and effectiveness, including in public institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector firms. In the U.S. and overseas, NGS helps public and private sector clients assess and develop capacity; optimize performance and quality objectives; enhance transparency and accountability; measure success; and communicate about their work—all with the aim of advancing development objectives even in the most complex operating environments. For more information, please visit https://www.nickolglobal.com/

NGS is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.