External Project Evaluation for Participatory Conservation

The Tyonek Tribal Conservation District [TTCD] is seeking an evaluation contractor familiar with Participatory Action Research and developmental-model evaluation practices to inform adjustments in TTCD’s approach toward community-led conservation, demonstrate best practices for including participatory methodology in outreach activities based on evaluation findings, and share best practices with the conservation sector. 

 

Timeline:

• RFP Sent: October 24, 2024
• Responses Due: November 8, 2024
• Chosen Agency Contacted: November 15, 2024
• Project Start: Week of November 18, 2024
• Project End: April 30, 2025

 

Organizational Overview:

Tyonek Tribal Conservation District [TTCD] is a 501c3 nonprofit that supports local conservation and resource management projects in the Tyonek, Alaska area. Our tagline is “Subsistence is our Agriculture.” TTCD was founded in 2004 as the first tribal conservation district in Alaska. Our district boundaries mirror Alaska Fish & Game Management Unit 16B, covering nearly 6.6 million acres of habitat and multiple communities. Our four focus areas are: habitat restoration, landowner technical assistance, Tyonek Grown community garden and Tyonek Youth Conservation Science. We partner with numerous tribal organizations, state and federal agencies and fellow nonprofits to achieve our goals.

 

Project Overview:

TTCD was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to implement the project “Participatory Conservation through Subsistence Agriculture in the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District.” The goal of this project was to leverage existing data, projects, and agency resources within the conservation district to ensure that current scientific information, conservation solutions, and projects are publicly accessible and culturally responsive, and that they serve the needs identified by Tyonek subsistence farmers, ranchers, and landowners.

Project Objectives:

• Objective 1: Subsistence farmers, ranchers, and landowners within the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District can easily access all publicly available data on natural resources within the district in formats relevant to their needs and are able to request collaborations with agencies best able to respond to their inquiries. As a result, stakeholders will be able to make better informed decisions and inquiries regarding habitat for the subsistence wildlife upon which their community depends, as well as the community garden which also contributes to food security in this remote district.
• Objective 2: Science outreach and information is relevant, co-created, and culturally responsive to subsistence farmers, ranchers, and landowners within the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District, leading to increased utilization of available knowledge on local resources.
• Objective 3: Tribal Conservation Districts within Alaska share technical information on an annual basis, increasing the shared inclusion of tribal subsistence agriculture in decision-making conversations throughout Alaska.
• Objective 4: Increase capacity of residents and shareholders of Native Village of Tyonek to build and maintain sustainable agricultural and subsistence practices through increased knowledge, skills, and access to partnerships.

 

Project Scope:

The evaluator will work closely with the TTCD Executive Director and staff to understand the vision, accomplishments, and setbacks for each objective and associated activities. The evaluator will also work with Tyonek subsistence farmers, ranchers, and landowners, as well as Native Village of Tyonek, Tyonek Native Corporation and Tebughna Foundation staff to understand the impact of these project activities in the community of Tyonek. These activities include:

• Re-design of the TTCD website become an information hub for publicly available data pertaining to natural resource projects, data, and policies within the conservation district.
• Community Conversation engagement meetings intended to ensure that current scientific information, conservation solutions and projects are publicly accessible and culturally responsive, and that they serve the ongoing conservation needs identified by Tyonek subsistence farmers, ranchers, and landowners.
• TTCD staff training in trauma-informed management and the integration of these trainings into organizational policies as well as outreach products and trainings.
• Hiring two field interns to assist with seasonal fish assessments and invasives mitigations, with the intention that these internships build competencies, confidence, and interest in pursuing careers in natural resource management.
• Outreach to other conservation organizations to share technical skills.

The evaluator is encouraged to invite partnering agencies and community stakeholders to help inform the creation of the evaluation model and interpret the data, identifying ways in which TTCD can better integrate Participatory Action Research or similar principles into future projects. The evaluation deliverable will be a final report with summative findings and a set of best practices, which will be used to train staff and agency partners on strategies for designing conservation, research, and outreach projects with community-led, participatory methodology. The evaluator and TTCD Executive Director will co-present best practices learned from the evaluation to conservation stakeholders.  

 

Budget: Up to $36,000

 

Project Period: November 18, 2024 – April 30, 2025

 

Proposal Requirements:

• Brief description of your company or organization’s evaluation experience with Participatory Action Research, developmental-evaluation models, or similar evaluation models applicable to this project, and examples of past deliverables.
• Estimated timeline for each step of the evaluation process.
• Demonstration of qualifications and experience for key personnel, such as a resume or curriculum vitae.
• A general budget for facilitation and project evaluation. Meetings for this project will largely occur in Anchorage with possible travel to Tyonek. Travel budget will be negotiated separately as workplan is finalized. 
•  

Scoring Criteria:

Experience with appropriate evaluation techniques and/or description of anticipated methodologies	50 points
Professional qualifications	15 points
Cost (proposed budget expenses appear reasonable and justified given project scope and duration)	35 points

 

Please submit questions and proposals to Erica Lujan at elujan@ttcd.org

A full RFP document is attached or can be found at our website: https://ttcd.org/how-you-can-help/job-opportunities/

Or the following direct link: https://ttcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/NRCS-ECC-RFP-External-Project-Evaluation-for-Participatory-Conservation.pdf

Summary:
The position is responsible for the successful development and implementation of evaluation projects that enhance our understanding of our many audiences’ experiences. The role fosters innovation and informed decision-making across departments at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC). It leads evaluation studies and reporting, provides operational support to improve the quality of projects, and ensures lessons from evaluations are applied to the continuous improvement of programs and strategy.

Education/Training Requirements:
This manager-level position will hold a master’s degree in public policy or other social science discipline such as environmental education or museum studies and has a minimum of five-years’ experience as an evaluator or senior evaluation position in a comparable sized mission-driven organization.

Primary Responsibilities:

Impact Measurement

1. Leads development, implementation, and reporting of evaluation obligations to internal audiences, the Board of Directors, and multiple grant-funded programs.
2. Collaborates with in-house and external groups to formulate program objectives and priorities with a focus on observable metrics for assessment; collaborates with Senior Managers on the scope and methodologies to be used in evaluation; provides advice on evaluation methods and techniques to other members of the ASLC team; works with colleagues on the development of evaluation instruments, data collection and collaborative interpretation of results; and drafts written reports and presentations related to the evaluation process and findings.
3. Designs, pilot-tests, and revises evaluation instruments and methods. Collects, analyzes, and disseminates evaluation findings through reports, presentations, and participation in professional networks.
4. Remains current with trends, theories, and effective practices of evaluation and visitor research through literature, professional development, and collaboration with other professionals.
5. Leads proposal writing and coordination for grants and communications with other external funds.
6. Supports an impact assessment dashboard for ASLC to easily and meaningfully track outcomes that advance the mission.

Management

7. Provides leadership in design and implementation of studies to assess the impact and effectiveness of ASLC’s programs and strategies and leads collaboration with internal and external partners. Including coordination, planning, development, and implementation of evaluation for new program plans or exhibitions, including literature reviews and background research and market research.
8. Collaborates with the CEO, Chief Science and Learning Officer, and Director of Mission Impact on priority setting for work of the program area.
9. Supervises data collectors and evaluation staff, including performance assessment, spot-checking of compliance with protocols.
10. Performs validity tests on all data to ensure accuracy and integrity.
11. Coordinates IRB processes within ASLC and oversees record keeping, compliance reports, and ensures all staff retain current certifications as required for Human Subjects Research.
12. Coordinates with the Research Integrity Officer on any investigations and oversights of human subject research.

Strategic

13. Supports the Center’s strategic and operational goals through fostering evaluative thinking and the use of logic models, theory of change, and other planning tools.
14. Coordinates any external evaluation consultant contracts for grant-funded programs and ensures deliverables meet the Center’s standards and expectations.
15. Supports an institutional culture of adaptive learning and continual improvement at ASLC.
16. Supports relationships with other organizations or academic departments conducting collaborative research studies and enhance ASLC’s capacity to advance knowledge in the field of zoos and aquariums.

Other

17. Fosters good relations with visitors, volunteers, community leaders, contractors, and fellow staff members by promoting positive attitudes, good will, cooperation, and providing high standards of service.
18. Complies with all Alaska SeaLife Center policies, procedures, and programs.
19. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum/Required Qualifications:
● Five-years’ experience as an evaluator leading and directing evaluation projects.
● Familiarity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods analysis procedures.
● Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
● Knowledge of Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.
● Familiarity with R and python for quantitative data analysis.
● Complies with all federal, state, and local laws.

Preferred Qualifications:
● Familiarity with principles of data equity and equitable evaluation.
● Second language in addition to English is an asset.
● Prior experience collaborating or working in Alaska Native organizations.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The person in this position will operate a computer and other office equipment, laptop computers or smart phones for data collection, copy machine, and computer printer. Communicate with staff and collaborators, remain stationary for longer periods of time, and move equipment including audio/visual equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  OPEN UNTIL FILLED

START DATE:  ASAP                            

PAY RATE:  $57,720 - $63,440             

Full-Time Position with Benefits

Please upload your resume, cover letter and letter of reference when you apply.

Must be able to pass a background check.

Here is the link to the job posting with the job description as well: https://jobs.ourcareerpages.com/job/908531?source=ccp&key=sCIpk0%2fZtprF6Y16O00G3DFbMs9nhWQC8tBkTdQDiCA%3d

In the spring, several AKEN members requested possible availability to pre-present their AEA conference presentation, before the Portland conference in late October, for practice and potential feedback and comments.

This is an invitation to any AEA conference presenters in Alaska who would like to present prior to the AEA conference via Zoom to an audience of AKEN members/supporters to practice their presentation.

If you are interested in presenting, please email the AKEN address with your availability and possible presentation dates and times, ranging from Wednesday, October 9th through Friday, October 18th. AKEN BoM will coordinate details with you and getting the word out to AKEN membership.

Thank you, and have a great rest of your week,
AKEN BoM

We are excited to share with you that we are recruiting for a Health Program Manager 1 position, the newly reclassed PRAMS and CUBS Survey Operations Manager position!

This is a permanent position in the Alaska Department of Health Section of Women’s, Children’s and Family Health, Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Unit in Anchorage. This position supports public health surveillance efforts of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) and its three-year follow-up survey called the Childhood Understanding Behaviors Survey (CUBS).  Please see the posting for more information:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alaska/jobs/4620936. 

The application process will close on 9/6/24.   

Please share this opportunity!  Thank you so much!

Dear Evaluator,

I hope this email finds you well. My name is Stacy Huff, a doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I'm conducting a research study on the professional quality of life of program evaluators, with a special focus on understanding experiences related to compassion fatigue —a state of emotional exhaustion and dysfunction due to the emotional strain of empathetic involvement with others.

 

Why Your Voice Matters?

Your unique experiences and insights as an evaluator are invaluable in understanding the complexities of this profession, including your potential experience with compassion fatigue.

 

What Does Participation Involve?

If you choose to participate, you'll be part of a one-on-one interview for this research study conducted via Microsoft Teams. The interview will be an open and respectful conversation about your experiences as an evaluator. It will be recorded for accuracy but rest assured, your privacy and comfort are my top priorities. The interview will last for about 60 minutes.

 

Why Should You Consider Participating?

This is a chance to share your story and contribute to research that aims to support and improve the well-being of evaluators. Your participation could help shed light on the experience of compassion fatigue in the field of program evaluation.

 

Ensuring Your Comfort and Confidentiality

I am committed to a trauma-informed approach throughout this research study. This means I prioritize your comfort and confidentiality at every step. All data will be handled with the utmost care, and you’ll have control over your participation throughout the interview process.

 

Interested in Sharing Your Story?

If you’re interested in participating or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at srhuff@uncg.edu. I'm here to provide more information or address any concerns you might have.

 

If you are ready to schedule your interview, please do so through my Calendly scheduling app here: https://calendly.com/huffstacyr/compassion-fatigue-in-evaluation-interview

 

Thank you for considering this opportunity. Your voice can make a significant difference in our understanding of the evaluator's experience of compassion fatigue.

 

Warm regards,

Stacy Huff, M.S.; Ph.D. Candidate

Educational Research Methodology, Program Evaluation track

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

What and Where:

You are invited to attend an upcoming 1.5-hour Evaluator Peer Networking (EPN) event on May 8^th, 2024, at 2 pm EST/11 am PST.

EPN is an ongoing series of free Zoom speed networking events. The space is created for evaluators to meet and network with other evaluators in rounds of one-on-one meetings to share your work, learn from others, and build relationships.

How:

Register here. Space is limited so please reserve your spot early.

Future Dates:

Having a meeting conflict but interested in attending a future meetup? Sign up here to receive announcements about future EPN events. (Note: You don’t need to sign up again if you previously registered for an EPN event and opted in to receive email announcements.)

Hoping to see you there!

Best,

Sylvia

Sylvia Pu, Ph.D.

Principal | Sylvia Pu Consulting

Dear colleagues,

Please join us for one of our upcoming #eval courses at the EnCompass Learning Center.

• Equity-Focused & Culturally Responsive Evaluation – April 16, 18, and 22^nd from 1-4 pm ET
• Data Quality Fundamentals – April 23, 25, and 30^th from 9 am – 12 pm ET
• Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) – May 7, 9, and 14^th from 9 am – 12 pm ET
• Mixed Methods Research and Evaluation – May 20, 21, and 22^nd 12 pm – 3 pm ET

Registrants can get the 20% group discount for AEA affiliates by emailing our team at learningcenter@encompassworld.com. 

To view our full 2024 line-up, please view the schedule at: https://encompassworld.com/elc/elc-course-schedule-2024/

To join our mailing list, sign up at: https://encompassworld.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=49a591b4cf3b4fb9944de2794&id=8fc76eeba0

Thanks,

Beeta Tahmassebi

Dear evaluation colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well and thriving. As Communications Chair for the Indigenous Persons in Evaluation (IPE) Topical Interest Group of the American Evaluation Association, I am very excited to bring our plans for the May 2024 newsletter to fruition. This edition is particularly special as it aims to honor MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) Awareness Month, casting a spotlight on crucial issues that impact our Tribal communities so deeply.

We are seeking submissions that reflect on and explore the intersections of gender, Indigenous feminisms, violence prevention, grassroots advocacy, land and environmental stewardship, among others, with a particular focus on their connection to Indigenous evaluation. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals doing innovative work in these spaces to share their insights, research, and stories.

What We Are Looking For:

• Innovative Articles: Insights, projects, evaluation findings, or thought pieces that delve into the aforementioned themes. Whether you're working on the frontlines of advocacy, conducting innovative evaluation, or have compelling personal narratives tied to these issues, we want to hear from you.
• Evaluator Profiles: We are also keen to feature an Indigenous evaluator who is making significant contributions to our field. If you or someone you know has a story to tell about challenges, successes, and insights gained from working in these areas, please reach out.

Submission Guidelines:

• Length: Our average article length is around 500 words. However, we believe in the power of your stories and insights, so we are flexible and open to pieces of varying lengths. Please visit our website to view previous newsletters.
• Format: Please send your submissions or proposals in a Word document or PDF file. Include any relevant images, graphics, or links that complement your article (please be sure to provide image credits where necessary).
• Deadline: We aim to finalize contributions by May 1, 2024. This will give us ample time to prepare and showcase your valuable work in the best light possible.

How to Submit:

Send your articles, ideas, or profiles to me (jeremy@tlpi.org) with the subject line "May 2024 Newsletter Submission." If you have preliminary ideas or questions, do not hesitate to contact me beforehand. We are here to support you through the submission process.

Spread the Word:

If you know someone whose voice and work should be featured in our newsletter, please forward this call for submissions to them or send me their contact details. Your recommendations and networks can help ensure a rich, diverse collection of perspectives and knowledge in our upcoming edition.

Thank you for considering contributing to our May 2024 newsletter. With your involvement, we can shed light on pressing issues, celebrate our strides in advocacy and evaluation, and foster a community of support and resilience. Looking forward to your submissions and stories!

Yours in love and solidarity,

Jeremy

Dear evaluation colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well and thriving. As Communications Chair for the Indigenous Persons in Evaluation (IPE) Topical Interest Group of the American Evaluation Association, I am very excited to bring our plans for the May 2024 newsletter to fruition. This edition is particularly special as it aims to honor MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) Awareness Month, casting a spotlight on crucial issues that impact our Tribal communities so deeply.

We are seeking submissions that reflect on and explore the intersections of gender, Indigenous feminisms, violence prevention, grassroots advocacy, land and environmental stewardship, among others, with a particular focus on their connection to Indigenous evaluation. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals doing innovative work in these spaces to share their insights, research, and stories.

What We Are Looking For:

• Innovative Articles: Insights, projects, evaluation findings, or thought pieces that delve into the aforementioned themes. Whether you're working on the frontlines of advocacy, conducting innovative evaluation, or have compelling personal narratives tied to these issues, we want to hear from you.
• Evaluator Profiles: We are also keen to feature an Indigenous evaluator who is making significant contributions to our field. If you or someone you know has a story to tell about challenges, successes, and insights gained from working in these areas, please reach out.

Submission Guidelines:

• Length: Our average article length is around 500 words. However, we believe in the power of your stories and insights, so we are flexible and open to pieces of varying lengths. Please visit our website to view previous newsletters.
• Format: Please send your submissions or proposals in a Word document or PDF file. Include any relevant images, graphics, or links that complement your article (please be sure to provide image credits where necessary).
• Deadline: We aim to finalize contributions by May 1, 2024. This will give us ample time to prepare and showcase your valuable work in the best light possible.

How to Submit:

Send your articles, ideas, or profiles to me (jeremy@tlpi.org) with the subject line "May 2024 Newsletter Submission." If you have preliminary ideas or questions, do not hesitate to contact me beforehand. We are here to support you through the submission process.

Spread the Word:

If you know someone whose voice and work should be featured in our newsletter, please forward this call for submissions to them or send me their contact details. Your recommendations and networks can help ensure a rich, diverse collection of perspectives and knowledge in our upcoming edition.

Thank you for considering contributing to our May 2024 newsletter. With your involvement, we can shed light on pressing issues, celebrate our strides in advocacy and evaluation, and foster a community of support and resilience. Looking forward to your submissions and stories!

Yours in love and solidarity,

Jeremy

Hello AKEN Members and Supporters,

On April 19th, the Alaska Evaluation Network is holding a Spring Social in Anchorage to bring together network members and evaluation colleagues in an informal gathering to connect and meet with other Alaskan evaluators. During the evening, there will be open time to socialize as well as some interactive activities with attendees and upcoming network event announcements. Light snacks will be provided.

We are requesting that interested parties RSVP, as this will help with our planning for attendance numbers. For full details and to RSVP, please visit the Spring Social web page, through the QR code below or provided LINK. 

Please forward this announcement within your networks and to interested colleagues and peers.

We look forward to seeing you on the 19th!

AKEN BOM