Short-Term Consultant: Senior Evaluation and Results Measurement Specialist

IFC will not sponsor a visa or work authorization for this position. Applicants must have valid employment authorization per local laws to work for the duration of the appointment and the candidate for this role must be based in the United States.

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

The MENA MSME 2.0 Facility is a regional advisory services program, that aims to improve access to finance for MSMEs.Its US$34.1 million budget is funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

The MENA MSME 2.0 Facility works on three thematic areas to support MSME development. Pillar I focuses on improving the legal and regulatory framework for MSME finance; Pillar II is centered on developing the financial infrastructure for MSME finance; and Pillar III concentrates on direct advisory services to financial institutions (FIs) to increase their offerings to MSMEs. Under these three pillars, the facility has provided total or partial funding to more than hundred projects in eight countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and West Bank and Gaza (WB&G).

The first phase of the MENA MSME facility took place between 2012 and 2018. It had almost the same structure and objectives and was implemented in largely the same countries. A final evaluation of this first phase of the MENA MSME Facility was completed in 2018.

IFC is looking for an experienced short-term consultant (STC) to support the MENA MSME 2.0 Facility’s Evaluations and Results Measurement function for CDIFI Advisory services in Europe and Central Asia.

Role & Responsibilities

The key tasks under the consultancy include the following:

MENA MSME 2.0: Commission and Manage Evaluations

• Lead the commissioning process for project and/or program evaluations, including developing Terms of Reference, identifying evaluation questions, selecting appropriate methodologies, and coordinating procurement of external consultants or firms.
• Manage and oversee the implementation of evaluations conducted by external evaluators or teams, ensuring methodological rigor, timely delivery, and alignment with IFC evaluation guidelines.

CDIFI Europe and Central Asia: M&E Projects’ Support

• Assist advisory teams in articulating high-quality Concept Notes and Implementation Plans.
• Guide teams in developing a robust Theory of Change and corresponding logical frameworks (logframes) with well-defined indicators and realistic targets.
• During the project supervision cycle, monitor data quality and validate claims’ evidence.
• When needed, support the teams in preparing their change memos or restructuring memos.
• Support the teams to tell the story in the project completion report with the supporting evidence.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in economics, finance, statistics, international development (including economics and econometrics) or related degree.
• 10 years of relevant experience on the following topics: statistical and econometric analysis and applied research (including impact evaluations experimental/ quasi-experimental methods), monitoring and evaluation, program design, survey design, data management, and related topics.
• Extensive experience and strong knowledge and skills in project and program evaluation, including evaluations based on the OECD DAC evaluation criteria, theory-based evaluations, and quasi-experimental impact evaluation methods.
• Fieldwork experience in carrying out primary data collections for impact evaluations or similar research, including survey design and implementation.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills including a strong (micro-)econometrics background, and the ability to use STATA.
• Track record of authoring research papers and/or contributing to reports on financial inclusion is a plus.
• Capacity to communicate clearly and effectively research for a broad audience.
• Interest in financial inclusion and familiarity with the financial services industry developments in the sector in Middle East and Nort Africa and in Europe and Central Asia is a plus.
• Proven track-record of delivering high-quality product with analytical integrity in a timely manner.
• Fluency in English and excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Excellent database management and computing skills, especially Microsoft Office package (Excel, Word, Power Point).

Application Process and Budget

Interested consultants are invited to send their CV to Melina Mirmulstein (mmirmulstein@ifc.org), Task Team Leader with “Sr. Evaluation and M&E Specialist” in the subject line.

The assignment is expected to begin in July 1, 2025 for an estimated 40 days of work and a contract ending date of June 30, 2026.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories at www.ifc.org.