Job - Asia Foundation Governance Research Associate

Dear colleagues and friends,

The Asia Foundation is seeking a qualified development professional to prepare a report on local governance using the results from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Suco Governance Performance Scale (SGPS). The successful candidate will have strong analytical skills, demonstrated achievement in writing reports and extensive contextual knowledge of community structures and functions in Timor-Leste.

Background:

The Asia Foundation, with funding from USAID, has designed a scaled index that measures the quality of governance across 21 different indicators based on the 2004 Suco Law, 2009 Law on Community Authorities, and other customary practices not covered in the two aforementioned laws. The survey has been conducted three times since its inception in July 2009, providing a baseline in 2009, a midline in 2010 and an end-line in 2011. The survey, employing focus group discussions and a facilitator's guide, has been conducted in six districts with over 225 suco councils participating each time. In four of the six districts surveyed, The Asia Foundation, through the USAID-funded Support for Local Governance Elections and Civil Society Program (GEC) also conducted targeted training and association development support. The two remaining districts were designated to serve as controls for the study.


SCOPE OF WORK

Governance Research Associate

The Governance Research Adviser shall review, organize and analyze data and information generated from the suco governance performance scale research activities from 2009, 2010 and 2011 and prepare a narrative report summarizing key findings from said data and information. He/she shall work closely with the Local Governance Program Manager in charge and report directly to The Asia Foundation Country Representative. The narrative report shall include tables, charts and other graphic materials to highlight statistical data and key findings. This scope of work is implemented under the Local Governance. Elections, and Civil Society (GEC) Project's Component 3 (Strengthening Suco Councils) implemented by The Asia Foundation with support from the USAID.


Supervisor: Silas Everett, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation, Timor Leste

In particular, the Governance Research Adviser, working closely with the concerned Local Governance Program Manager, shall:

1. Review and organize data from the baseline, midline and final suco governance performance scale results, into tables, graphs and other graphic formats to facilitate analysis;

2. Under the guidance of the TAF Country Representative, analyze the data and graphic formats focusing on the following:

a. Changes in suco councils' performance scores (final against baseline) and possible factors affecting changes;

b. Difference of scores and degree of changes in scores, between project and control sites, and factors possibly affecting such differences;

c. Possible implications in terms of further assistance to suco councils, to improve the latter's performance.

3. Review previous write-ups, to determine how much of these may still be incorporated into the new narrative report.

4. Prepare a narrative report that will cover items 1 and 2 above. The narrative report will include an executive summary of not more than five pages. The outline of the narrative report will be discussed with the TAF Country Representative prior to write-up.

5. Submit a draft narrative report to the Country Representative within twenty (20 working days, inclusive of Saturdays) from commencement of the engagement. The draft must contain all tables, graphs and other relevant figures as well as proper attributions and references.

6. Submit a final draft to the Country representative within ten (10) working days, from return to the Consultant, with comments, by the Country Representative.

7. Edit the accepted narrative report and submit this edited version to the Country Representative.

Qualifications:

1. At least a Masters Degree in any social science.

2. At least ten years experience in social research.

3. Knowledge of local public administration systems in Timor Leste, particularly suco councils and how they function, will be an advantage.

4. Must have excellent research skills.

5. Must be an excellent writer in English.

Contract Period: Forty (40) working days, inclusive of Saturdays.
Post: Dili, Timor Leste

The Asia Foundation

Tel: (670) 331-3457 * Email: TAFTimorLeste@asiafound.org

www.asiafoundation.org