Background

The conflict, which took place in Abkhazia between 1992-1993, resulted in thousands of deaths, displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and widespread devastation. The conflict has shattered local industry and infrastructure and led to continued hardship, both for the people who live in the conflict areas, and for those who have been displaced. Furthermore the following conflict in August 2008 has brought the sore relationship between the conflict areas and the Georgian Government to an absolute standstill.
 
As result of the conflict, the socio-economic situation and living standards in several areas of Abkhazia are poor. The conflict context has devastated local industry and infrastructure and created a drastic shortage of income-generating opportunities. Years of under-investment, caused by the instability and the collapse of the social system, has resulted in severely dilapidated basic infrastructure and services in such areas as health and education. Most vulnerable segments of the population barely meet basic needs.
 
UNDP has been present in Abkhazia for more than a decade. Activities have included capacity building of civil society and infrastructure rehabilitation in sectors such as telecommunications, energy, water and sanitation and health. Currently UNDP is active in the region with two main projects: the “Economic Rehabilitation and Confidence Building in Abkhazia” (ERCBA) project funded by European Union and the Swedish International Development Agency and the “Abkhazia Community Revitalization” (ACR) project funded by USAID.
 
ERCBA project aims to improve the socio-economic situation for local population in Abkhazia through: (1) Establishment of learning-friendly environment in targeted schools through infrastructure rehabilitation, provision of proper school equipment and capacity strengthening of teaching and administrative staff; (2) Improved access of local population to adequate health care through infrastructure rehabilitation of medical facilities, provision of proper equipment and capacity strengthening of health care and administrative staff; (3). Improved access of local population to safe potable water through infrastructure rehabilitation of water supply, provision of proper equipment and capacity strengthening of water operators and administrative staff in community utility departments; (4). Restored confidence between various communities.
 
ACR project is also contributing to the Improvement of socio-economic situation for local population in Abkhazia through three core components: (1) Improvement of the Healthcare System; (2) Expanding Opportunities for Youth; and (3) Enhancing Community Participation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the evaluation is to assess the impact of the Economic Rehabilitation and Confidence Building in Abkhazia” (ERCBA) project  and the “Abkhazia Community Revitalization” (ACR) project on improving access to social services in Abkhazia, as well as its contribution to enhancing process confidence building among local communities.
 
Specifically, the following activities of the mission are anticipated:
  • Design the detailed evaluation scope and methodology (including the methods for data collection and analysis) for the report;
  • Analyse the key objectives of the project and assess to what extend these objectives have been attained;
  • Assess the effectiveness of two projects interventions in achieving their stated objectives and contributing to the relevant outcomes as stated in the project document.  
  • Review their eventual impact on political and social environment in Abkhazia
  • Provide recommendation on a UNDP follow-up strategy in Abkhazia, highlighting closer alignment with UN/DP Programmes;
  • Draft related parts of the evaluation report; and
  • Finalize the whole evaluation report.
Follow-up and Learning:
The findings of the evaluation report will be reviewed jointly by UNDP, relevant stakeholders and partners to ensure that the key recommendations are incorporated into the design of new projects and programmes. 
 
Evaluation tasks:
The overall objective of the evaluation is to assess the impact of the ERCBA project and ACR project on the post-conflict transformation in Abkhazia.
The evaluation will draw from different sources:
  • A comprehensive desk review of relevant background documents on ERCBA and ACR projects, including their sub-project documents and other relevant documents and reports;
  • Selected existing monitoring reports of projects supported programmes;
  • Interviews with key UNDP staff, projects staff, NGOs, and other partners and stakeholders.
The evaluation itself will follow 3 steps:
  • Desk review of documentation - review of the Terms of Reference, comprehensive desk review, meetings with the UNDP programme and projects staff
  • Conduct the evaluation – conduct meetings in the field including meetings with partner NGOs, beneficiaries, broader NGO community, other UN agencies, donors and relevant stakeholders.
  • Writing a compehensive report for UNDP intervention in Abkhazia(both ERCBA and ACR projects) – Debriefing UNDP on preliminary findings and production of the Final Evaluation Report.

The Evaluator is expected to:

  • Introduction meeting of the evaluation team with UNDP Management and the projects team.
  • Collection of information - The main source of information will be through structured, semi-structured and unstructured interviews and field visits. One field visit to Sukhumi and at least 5 field visits outside Sukhumi are envisaged.
  • Preparation the draft report.
  • Meeting with UNDP, the ERCBA and ACR projects team and other key stakeholders to present the initial findings of the evaluation at the end of the field mission.
  • Incorporating comments and submission the Final Evaluation Report to UNDP.

For more detailed information, please refer the IC Procurement Notice and ToR available at: http://undp.org.ge//index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=27&info_id=11747.

Competencies

Interpersonal and communication skills:
  • Strong communication skills and proven ability to collaborate with different actors (UNCT, Government, civil society, etc.);
  • Flexibility, discretion, and tact
  • Experience in managing a multi-cultural team. 
Professional skills:
  • Good analysis and judgment;
  • Teamwork, proven management and results-orientation;
  • Proactive in problem-solving and recommendation for conflict prevention and resolution;
  • Strong ability in managing confidential and politically sensitive issues, in a responsible way. 
Technical aptitude:
  • Strong drafting and oral presentation skills for document plans, proposals, mails, briefings, reports and speeches
  • Strong computer skills.

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Masters degree in social sciences, international relations, political science, development studies, or other related domain; concentration in conflict prevention and peace studies an asset.
Experience:
  • Substantive  experience (At least seven years) in the field of conflict prevention, peace-building and conflict-sensitive development; Three years of experience in evaluating projects or Monitoring and evaluation experience with international organizations.
  • Proven track of excellent diplomatic skills and ability to work in very sensitive political environments;
  • Experience in advising senior management;
  • Knowledge of the United Nations system, practices, and procedures, including UNDP program modalities, particularly in conflict-affected areas; knowledge of EU and/or USAID processes a strong advantage
  • Previous experience in the facilitation/participation in peace processes and dialogue activities will be an asset for the position.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Russian highly desirable.

FC: 30079 and 30000