PERFORMANCE MONITORING SPECIALIST
Position Description
I. POSITION DESCRIPTION
Dev Tech has an immediate opening for a performance monitoring specialist to work full-time under the contract
to manage USAID’s Program Cycle Service Center (PCSC). The specialist will provide intensive technical assistance
to up to 12 USAID Missions in implementing ADS 203 guidance on performance monitoring and adopting and
piloting the new AIDtracker Plus performance monitoring system over a six month period. The Specialist will work
with select Missions to navigate the complexities of the transition to AIDtracker Plus, including the process of
reviewing indicator data, conducting data consultation sessions, and providing follow-up performance monitoring
support to Missions. The Specialist will lead performance monitoring training at select AIDTracker Plus Missions,
collect feedback about the process, and contribute to adapting the integrated curriculum to best address Mission
needs. The Specialist will also be expected to assist USAID’s Policy, Planning and Learning (PPL) Bureau in building
Mission capacity and facilitating a process of change management in support of its performance monitoring
reforms (codified in ADS 203) and this new system which will support their implementation.
II. PROGRAM CYCLE SERVICE CENTER (PCSC) OVERVIEW
The Program Cycle Service Center (PCSC) is an institutional support contract managed by USAID’s Policy, Planning
and Learning (PPL) Bureau awarded to DevTech Systems, Inc. and includes the subcontract team of
International Resources Group (IRG), Management Systems International (MSI), and the Public Health
Institute (PHI). PCSC is designed to build the capacity of USAID Missions to implement a series of far-reaching
reforms known as the “Program Cycle.”
III. BACKGROUND
A.
PPL’s Program Cycle & Performance Monitoring Reforms
In 2010, USAID’s recently established PPL Bureau began developing a series of reforms to operationalize USAID
Forward and improve the effectiveness of its development programs. These reforms imply significant changes in
the way the Agency considers performance monitoring.
B.
The Standardization Project
PPL recently partnered with the Office of Budget and Resource Management (BRM), the Bureau for Management
(M), and the field to take a first major step toward a common information system by standardizing Mission
business processes for data intensive functions, like budgeting, judging program performance, and monitoring and
evaluation (M&E).
C.
Endorsement of OPS Master and AIDtracker Plus During Transition
In February 2013, Missions were instructed to not create any new information systems per existing guidance
(Executive Notice 22422), and that if they did not already have OPS Master to manage their budget, they should
begin implementation of OPS Master in the near future as an interim solution until roll-out of the common Mission
information system came online.
Missions were also instructed to either continue to use their own existing information system or to switch to
AIDtracker “Plus” to meet their performance monitoring needs. AIDtracker is an easy-to-use web application that
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helps Missions streamline reporting and capture results, thereby greatly improving the efficiency of the project
portfolio management process for USAID Missions. A newer version of the system, AIDtracker “Plus,” was
developed to enable adopting Missions to implement the new Program Cycle reforms codified in the revised ADS
203 and standardized Mission Orders.
IV. SCOPE OF WORK
A.
Responsibilities
It is estimated that 75% of the specialist’s responsibilities will consist of support for Aidtracker Plus. For this work,
the specialist will work as part of a larger team of contractors and direct hires that will include: CIO trainers and
PPL direct hires with expertise on ADS 203 and the associated Mission Orders. The specialist’s role will be to work
with the Mission before, during and after a TDY to organize a work plan to review the Mission’s indicator data into
AIDtracker Plus, as well as provide training and capacity building support in performance monitoring. The overall
objective is to successfully implement AIDtracker Plus in 12 Missions in 12 months, of which data consultation is a
key element. Specific tasks include:
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Conducting preparatory work to understand the Mission’s CDCS (and associated Results Framework and
Mission PMP), its Projects (and associated Logical Frameworks and Project M&E Plans), and Implementing
Mechanisms (and their related M&E data).
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In consultation with the Data Migration Specialists, creating an overall work plan and methodology for data
collection, analysis, and review for each Mission. Analyzing most successful experiences to create a standard
methodology/approach.
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Guide Missions through the process of reviewing and reducing data that will ultimately be migrated into
AIDtracker Plus. Suggesting reviews, changes and additional resources/guidance as necessary.
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Provide performance monitoring and other related training directly to Missions as an essential part of the
AIDTracker Plus deployment team.
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Contribute to lessons learned, refinement of the AIDTracker Plus roll-out plan and change management
strategy, developing relevant tools and innovative processes to improve the current model in conjunction with
other key stakeholders.
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Coordinating with PPL and/or CIO direct hire staff who will be accompanying the consultant on TDYs to
provide the Mission additional assistance in transitioning to the new system.
For the estimated 25% of the specialist’s responsibilities which are not directly Aidtracker Plus support, tasks may
include: facilitating performance monitoring workshops, assisting missions in developing mission Performance
Management Plans, project M&E plans, selecting indicators, ensuring data quality, or preparing performance
monitoring data for analysis.
B.
Location
The specialist will be based out of Washington, D.C., however will be required to travel between 30-40 percent of
the time during the employment period. For Aidtracker + TDYs, each Mission will receive four weeks of assistance:
two weeks of in-country assistance, along with at least one week of virtual assistance before departure and one
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week of follow-up assistance after returning. Non-Aidtracker + TDYs are likely to range from 1-3 weeks at a time.
The Specialist may be permitted to take off a month from overseas travel every three months.
C.
Type of Employment
This position will be a 6-month position (April – September) under an employment contract
D.
Supervision
The Specialist will report to the Dev Tech Service Center Manager and PPL/LER’s Contracting Officer’s
Representative, who will serve as contract Activity Manager. During field visits related to AidTracker Plus, the
specialist will also be paired with one to two PPL direct hires who will provide supervisory oversight. During field
visits to provide other performance monitoring technical assistance, the specialist’s daily oversight will be provided
by a designated mission officer, in most cases this will be the Monitoring and Evaluation point of contact in the
mission.
V. QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for this position will have:
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At least two years direct experience in performance monitoring of USAID programs, at a practical or policy
level
Significant experience in training adult learners in performance monitoring principles
At least two years cumulative overseas work experience
Proven experience/academic background in cross-cultural communication and training
Experience with Excel, AIDtracker Plus, or another information management system
Understanding of USAID processes and culture, including ideally previous USAID Program Office
experience
Skills in promoting process improvements and maintaining client confidence while facilitating a process of
change management
Ability to travel 30-40% of the time