Background

Information Communication Technology (ICT) continues to expand its wide range of applications in development, including – increasingly – for monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Indeed, ICT for M&E provides a set of tools for improving the quality and timeliness of development interventions, through improved speed and quality of data collection and analysis to support the design, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects. With the continued reduction in cost of applying ICT, it is increasingly feasible for national and international development actors to leverage ICTs to strengthen their M&E efforts. It is inevitable that mobile phones/SMS, crowdsourcing, big data, data visualization, social media and software will continue to change the landscape of M&E.
 
The past few years have seen noteworthy progress in the use of innovative technologies to support development initiatives. In crisis prevention and recovery (CPR) settings, the use of technology has been mostly used for crisis detection/early warning and for reporting.  A specific example in this regard includes Ushahidi, a web-based open source platform used worldwide for monitoring crisis. However, when it comes to monitoring results and evaluating programme/project performance, the application of new technologies is still at an inception stage, and is being systematically practiced only by a few organizations.
 
In the case of UNDP, 69% of CPR priority countries that participated in a survey on knowledge and capacity building needs for ICT for M&E confirmed that they were not using innovative ICT tools for M&E, although 71% of them recognized the high potential of improving M&E thru ICT.   Among the greatest obstacles identified as standing in the way of employing ICT for M&E were capacity gaps in staff knowledge (80% of offices), technology (40%), and infrastructure (27%).  Clearly there is a need for BCPR, as CPR practice leader, to promote capacity building in results monitoring and evaluation of programme/project performance in priority country offices (COs) by leveraging ICT. 
 
BCPR has taken several tangible steps recently to move towards greater use of innovative technologies in general and in particular for M&E. These have included comprehensive mapping of the use of innovative technologies for conflict prevention through an eDiscussion in 2012; assessing the knowledge and capacity needs of COs in priority countries in ICT for M&E; mapping of innovative uses of ICT in development and CPR contexts outside of UNDP and the UN;  organizing (jointly with BDP) a CoP meeting on ICT for Conflict Prevention and Inclusive Governance; and establishing linkages with think tanks/foundations (i.e. Rockefeller Foundation, etc.) interested in ICT for M&E/Development. These activities have laid the groundwork for a more systematic and structured approach to strengthening the capacities of COs in CPR priority countries in the area of harnessing ICT for programme/project monitoring, reporting and evaluation. 
 
To continue this work, BCPR is organizing a workshop on ICT for M&E in Crisis-Affected Environments on 23-25 October 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of this workshop is to enhance the awareness, knowledge, and capacity of UNDP COs and CPR practitioners whilst promoting the development of a community of practice for ICT for Results monitoring and evaluation in CPR environments.  

More specifically, the workshop is intended to:
  • Increase awareness and deepen the understanding of COs/practitioners on the state of the art in ICT for results M&E, especially as it applies to CPR environments; 
  • Facilitate the exchange of experiences and lessons in the implementation of ICT for results M&E;  
  • Develop the capacity of UNDP COs and national partners to leverage of ICT for results M&E in CPR environments ;
  • Foster synergies and networks across COs, regions, and thematic areas;  
  • Identify new partners and strengthen existing partnerships.  
    Aside from capturing the state-of-the-art knowledge, lessons, and good practices from experts and practitioners at the workshop, BCPR is keen on developing a knowledge product (hereby tentatively called “Discussion Paper on Using ICT for M&E in Crisis-Affected Environments”) that collates all the knowledge from the workshop and from other related literature (eg, previous knowledge/advocacy products, case studies and articles of UNDP experience in ICT for M&E) and share this with UNDP country offices and CPR practitioners to inform programming.
     
    The main work of the consultant will be to act as rapporteur and develop the knowledge product “Discussion Paper on Using ICT for M&E in Crisis-Affected Environments” through desk research; participation, observation, and documentation at the workshop proper; and drafting/editing/finalization of the paper in coordination with UNDP (including for peer review). In addition, the consultant will be expected to provide expert advice in the design of the programme agenda and possibly participate in the workshop.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The following activities define the general scope of this engagement:
  • Develop an inception report on approach/methodology and workplan for developing the knowledge product, based on an agreement with BCPR on the concept for the product;
  • Provide technical/methodological advice to improve the design and substance of the workshop programme agenda, including suggesting possible speakers/institutions and innovative meeting approaches;
  • Conduct desk research from related literature (eg, previous knowledge/advocacy products, case studies and articles of UNDP/UN/other development stakeholder experience in ICT for M&E);
  • Observe, and document relevant information, knowledge and experiences shared at the workshop and participate as needed (as agreed with BCPR);
  • Develop draft and finalize the knowledge product (revising as needed, coordinating with BCPR/UNDP in its internal/external review );
  • Develop a knowledge dissemination/mobilization plan to ensure effective uptake of the product by COs/practitioners and other target audiences; and
  • Submit a short final project report, including lessons learned from the engagement.
Expected Output:

The following are the expected deliverables of the contractor:
  • Deliverable A: Inception Report detailing the approach/methodology and workplan to develop and finalize the knowledge product and its dissemination plan;
  • Deliverable B:  Finalized “Discussion Paper on Using ICT for M&E in Crisis-Affected Environments”;
  • Deliverable C: Finalized knowledge dissemination/mobilization plan to ensure effective uptake of the product by country offices/practitioners and other target audiences;
  • Deliverable D: Final project report, including lessons learned from the engagement.
 Institutional Arrangement:

The project will be supervised on a day to day basis by the KM Coordinator, Policy and Planning Division, BCPR-UNDP, with management oversight by the Results Team Leader, Policy and Planning Division, BCPR-UNDP. The contractor shall coordinate with and report directly to the KM Coordinator but final approval/acceptance of output shall be determined by the Results Team Leader (in consultation with other BCPR/UNDP stakeholders and management, as needed).
The contractor shall coordinate with concerned stakeholders directly, as needed.

The contractor shall provide progress reports at least weekly and may be asked from time to time to present or report to a group or body. The contractor shall present the final knowledge product to BCPR management /staff.
 
Duration of Work:

The duration of the project is approximately 2 months, from mid-September 2013 to mid-November 2013.  The project should start as soon as the contract is signed but in any case no later than 30 September 2013. Since the work will be output-based, it is up to the contractor to determine the actual number of person-days required in delivering satisfactorily and how much the lump sum financial proposal is.
 
Duty Station:

The contractor will not be required to report for office at BCPR offices in NY, but may be called to meetings or have to interact with BCPR/UNDP staff in its offices or thru virtual conferencing from time to time. BCPR will not shoulder any cost if the contractor wishes to travel and work out of NY.

Field work is not required but the contractor is expected to join and participate in the workshop on 23-25 October in Nairobi, Kenya. BCPR shall shoulder the cost of travel of the contractor to Nairobi.

Competencies

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluency in English. Fluency in an additional UNDP Working Language is an asset;
  • Computer literate in standard software applications;
  • Strong knowledge of social media and web 2.0 tools;
  • Strong organizational skills;
  • Strong content management and IT skills;
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment;
  • Experience and knowledge of the UN system working Substantive knowledge of the UN system is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications of the Successful Contractor
  •  Advanced university degree in International Development, International Relations, Management, Communication/Journalism, Computer Science/Engineering, IT, or related field, is preferred.
Experience:
  • At least 5 years of experience implementing or managing ICT for development-related projects, preferably in the crisis prevention and recovery settings (conflict, disaster, humanitarian, or early recovery);
  • Knowledge of state of the art in ICT for development, preferably in crisis and prevention contexts;
  • At least 2 years of experience in applying ICT for results M&E, preferably in crisis and prevention contexts;
  • At least 3 years of experience in research and developing knowledge, policy, communications, or advocacy products related to development (with evidence of paper or electronic publication)
  • At least 1 year experience working for or with UNDP or other UN agency
Language:
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills in English; fluency in French is also desirable.
 Scope of Bid Price and Schedule of Payments

The contract price shall be based on the lowest bid that meets the requirements and qualifications specified in this TOR.
The contract price shall be a fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the specified project duration specified herein.

The key outputs and milestone activities for which payments will be made are as follows:
  • Acceptance of inception report – 20% of contract price;
  • Acceptance of final knowledge product and dissemination plan – 70% of contract price;
  • Acceptance of final report – 10% of contract price;
 Recommended Presentation of Proposal

Proponents are requested to respond with the following information:
  • Letter of Interest and Availability;
  • Short note on why you consider yourself most suitable for the work along with a brief methodology (of maximum 2 pages) on how you will approach and complete the assignment;
  • Curriculum Vitae with contact information; and
  • Financial Proposal (lump sum figure but in order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, it is recommended that a breakdown of this lump sum amount – including own travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days - is provided).