Mixed Methods Specialist

at  Panagora Group

JOB DESCRIPTION

Panagora Group is a U.S. small business that provides technical and advisory services related to monitoring, evaluating, and learning USAID/Colombia’s strategy and activities. The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Short-Term Activity (MELSA) provides monitoring support services: designing and implementing performance and impact evaluations, as well as other studies and assessments, supporting their use and dissemination, and developing collaboration, learning, and adapting initiatives.
USAID/Colombia requested MELSA to develop a research study to identify interventions for conflict mitigation, violence prevention, and citizen security (secondary and tertiary prevention) related to urban areas. The purpose of the study is to inform the design and planning of the new Development Cooperation Country Strategy for the period 2025-2030. USAID/Colombia’s growing work with youth addresses youth vulnerability and puts special emphasis on the Agency’s global youth development policies. The Mission’s youth strategy implements USAID’s Youth in Development Policy and Positive Youth Development Framework by developing youth leadership skills, promoting economic opportunities for youth, increasing youth participation in community development, engaging families to foster protective environments for youth, and developing their social and technical skills.
The overall objective of this research is to identify conflict mitigation, violence prevention, and citizen security interventions (secondary and tertiary prevention) and models. It is also to assess the root causes of violence and effectively respond to the needs of at-risk youth and communities affected by urban violence in a context that includes various categories of perpetrators, including gangs and other organized groups in Colombia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The consultant fulfilling the role of mixed methods specialist should be skilled in the design and application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. This includes experience in developing research frameworks, data collection tools, and analysis strategies that effectively combine different methodological approaches. The specialist should have a background in social science research, with expertise in analyzing complex social phenomena, particularly in crime, violence, and community resilience. Proficiency in statistical analysis software and qualitative data analysis methods is expected.

REQUIREMENTS

• A professional degree and a master’s degree in a field relevant to the research objective (economics, public policy, political science, social sciences).
• A minimum of ten (5) years of relevant professional experience.Desirable youth development and youth violence prevention.
• Demonstrated experience in research, project evaluations, policy, and consulting. Desirable experience with USAID or other development agencies.
• Proven ability to analyze data and communicate key findings to decision-making audiences.
• Demonstrated experience with youth-centered and participatory research approaches and research frameworks, data collection tools, and analysis strategies.
• Advanced technical report writing skills, with a track record of producing high-quality, evidence-based reports for international development agencies or similar organizations.
• Advanced knowledge of English and Spanish, both written and spoken.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, relationship building, and collaborative work with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to develop documents and participate in meetings and presentations in English and Spanish.
  Note: all deliverables must adhere to Panagora’s and USAID’s format and style guides.
  If you are interested in this position, it is mandatory that you upload your labor certificates and proof of education in the Attachment Information. Only candidates who have attached these documents will be reviewed.
  No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Only applicants who include the required application components will be considered.

Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

• Note: Panagora does not offer visa sponsorship at this time.

• Support the research design, especially in the construction of relevant indicators.
• Review primary and secondary sources of information relevant to the research.
• Oversee the quality of quantitative and qualitative data collection, providing guidance and expertise to this process.
• Develop and successfully test effective instruments for quantitative and qualitative data collection.
• Actively participate in the coding process of qualitative instruments, contributing to the production of a codebook and thematic review.
• Contribute to the analysis of qualitative, quantitative, and secondary information.
• Support the Team Leader in the drafting of reports and presentations for USAID/Colombia, emphasizing findings and recommendations.
• Manage the submission of reports and deliverables, including data, reports, and presentations.