Background

Implementation of PBF projects has long been a key focus of UNDP engagement with PBSO, given UNDP’s role as the main PBF implementer and the attention of donors to the performance of implementing agencies. The Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery provides direct technical support to design of PBF priority plans, projects and projects, often in close cooperation with PBSO or through joint missions.

 Purpose

While PBF funded projects are only a small part of all CPR and peacebuilding related programmatic activities of UNDP, they tend to be highly visible and with an increasing potential to draw general and evidence-based conclusions due to the joint decision making and reporting to PBSO. This makes it a particularly important segment to monitor and support from a UNDP HQ perspective, and this will also have the potential to create positive spill-over and learning effects on UNDP’s overall portfolio.

By providing a stronger and more coherent basis for collecting and analyzing implementation data for PBF projects, UNDP will be in a better position to deliver stronger results through direct accountability and targeted follow-up and support, and this will ultimately strengthen UNDP’s broader role in UN peacebuilding.

In order to respond to these challenges, review and analyze existing material from PBSO and UNDP, and recommend improvements in UNDP systems and procedures, including in the business process and in the cooperation with PBSO, BCPR/PPD plans to engage a consultant.     

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Review and analyze available reports and evaluations of PBF implementation, including the two 2009 reports, the annual official SG reports on the PBF, the PBF commissioned country evaluations - and where relevant project based final evaluations - and related data sources as provided by PBSO and BCPR’s own existing data material, including MPTFO quarterly reports, Atlas data, PBSO evaluation data sets and other reporting provided directly to PBSO from the field. Achieve a good understanding of UNDP’s implementation record over time, in different regions, in different sectors and compared to other agencies as relevant, and how UNDP projects contribute to peacebuilding relevant outcomes;
  • Suggest analytical conclusions on UNDP’s implementation performance, including through a series of charts and tables that show trends and patterns. Establish a simple baseline for measuring progress. Recommend any specific and urgent follow-up on individual projects;
  • Support UNDP engagement with PBSO to establish a clear joint understanding of the available data material from PBSO and UNDP and the performance assessment methodologies behind it. Support PBSO preparations of the PBF review in this regard as required, and in cooperation with other UN stakeholders. Ensure coherence with established donor methodologies, including the UK MAR process;
  • Conduct a limited number of interviews with UNDP stakeholders to illustrate typical cases of PBF implementation and a good understanding of UNDP decision making at HQ and country level, follow-up and interaction between BCPR, Regional Bureaux, MPTFO and Country Offices;
  • Assess the effectiveness of the UNDP business process and recommend improvements. Recommend specific action to improve UNDP’s implementation performance in 5 focus countries to be agreed with PBSO;
  • Provide other recommendations on UNDP’s implementation of PBF projects and thematic areas;
  • Summarize findings in a report of no more than 20 pages plus annexes with data material including sections on performance assessment methodologies, relevant data material on UNDP’s PBF implementation performance including a baseline, a review and discussion of BCPR’s business process and recommendations for improvements;
  • Make a presentation on findings to BCPR team leaders and to PBSO. 

Competencies

  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity;
  • Ability to understand and develop systems for structuring, codifying and providing access to information and knowledge;
  • Ability to understand and change business processes, and elaboration and implementation of new systems;
  • Ability to produce and present clear and compelling quantitative analysis in writing.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Advanced university degree, in economics, development or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area.

 Experience

  • Five (5) years relevant work experience in related area;
  • UNDP experience with program management and reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and business process change and implementation;
  • Experience with peacebuilding, crisis prevention and recovery;
  • Experience with pooled funding mechanisms and joint programs;
  • Good knowledge of UNDP’s Program and Operations Policies and Procedures and of Atlas;
  • Demonstrated strong ability to produce reports based on quantitative analysis.

 Language

  • English and French are the working languages of the United Nations;
  • For this assignment, fluency in English will be required and the ability to read documents in French will be an advantage.

 Duration

  •  4 weeks.