Background
The project was scheduled to end on 31 December 2012, however various challenges and constraints derailed the implementation process and led to delays in the full delivery of all intended outputs of the project. UNDP therefore requested a further no cost extension from the donor to enable Uganda to conclude the on-going project activities under implementation as well as to carry out final project evaluations and reporting by 31 December 2013.
The project to mainstream SLM activities in the six cattle corridor districts of Uganda was developed to contribute to the UNDP Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) outcome “Enterprises and communities, particularly women, are able to access alternative energy, adapt to climate change and sustainably use natural resources for productive purposes”.
The main project objectives are to:
- Support mainstreaming of SLM issues into District Development Plans (DDPs) and budgets;
- Support adoption of sustainable livelihood and land management practices by local communities in the cattle corridor districts; and
- Strengthen the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and National Action Plan (NAP) Focal Point Office in the Ministry of Agriculture animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in implementation of the National SLM Investment Framework.
- Priority SLM interventions integrated in the DDPs and budgets of 6 districts;
- Priority SLM interventions implemented by rural communities in the 6 target districts;
- Capacity of the UNCCD/NAP focal point strengthened to support SLM country program;
- Lessons learned and best practices synthesised and disseminated.
- Monitor and evaluate results and impacts;
- Provide a basis for decision making on necessary amendments and improvements;
- Promote accountability for resource use; and iv) to document, provide feedback on, and disseminate lessons learned. A mix of tools is used to ensure effective project M&E. These might be applied continuously throughout the lifetime of the project, e.g, periodic monitoring of indicators, or as specific time-bound exercises such as mid-term reviews, audit reports and independent evaluations.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Consultant will deliver on the following:
- Assess the validity of assumptions used in the development of the SLM mainstreaming programme;
- Appraise the innovativeness of the SLM programme as a delivery mechanism for the implementation of the UNCCD;
- Identify strengths and weaknesses in the Programme design and implementation
- Ascertain achievements to date; to what extent the Programme has moved towards achievement of the objectives and outputs under the three outcomes in the results framework and the need for continued focus;
- Assessachievemnst likely sustainability of results;
- Examine the significance of un-expected effects, whether beneficial or detrimental in character;
- Assess to what extent the Programme has contributed to building capacity at national, district and community levels to formulate, implement and monitor actions/activities for sustainable land management;
- Identify and assess lessons learnt and best practices in relation to achievement of the programme objectives and outputs;
- Assess how the SLM programme has adapted to emerging issues and trends such as climate change, energy and other emerging issues, etc.;
- Determine the relevance of continuing the support of the Government of Norway beyond this phase of the Programme (end of current agreement), including possible financial and institutional arrangements to pursue cooperation.
- Review documentation to be provided by the project (list in Annex B);
- Conduct fieldwork together with the Lead consultant and interview stakeholders, national and local Government officials, and communities (especially private forest owners) to generate authentic information and opinions;
- Write and compile information and reports as needed;
- Present key findings highlighting achievements and constraints, and making practical recommendations to decision makers and stakeholders;
- Finalize the Terminal evaluation report using the format in Annex G.
- An Inception Report (within 3 working days of signing the contract), this should provide details of the methodological approach to be used by the consultants to undertake the study;
- A Draft evaluation report of approximately 40 pages, excluding annexes, according to the attached detailed breakdown; The report will be in English and will be prepared and submitted in MS Word, with tables in Excel where necessary;
- A PowerPoint presentation (10 – 15 slides) covering the key points of the TE with the main findings and recommendations will also be provided;
- A Final TE Report submitted within a week of receiving written comments on the drafts from UNDP and partners.
Deliverables
- Desk review of documents and preparation of inception Report (home-based) - 2 days;
- Presentation of Inception Report- half day;
- Presentation of Inception Report -12 days;
- Prepare and submit Draft Report to UNDP for review by Regional Technical Advisor, Project Coordination Unit, GEF Operational Focal Points- 3.5 days;
- Draft report presentation to stakeholders workshop to validate draft report findings- half day;
- Preparation and submission of Final Terminal Evaluation Report- 1 and half days.
If there are any significant discrepancies between the impressions and findings of the evaluation team and stakeholders these should be explained in any Annex attached to the final report.
- With overall reporting to the UNDP Country Director, the Consultant will work on day to day basis with SLM Project Manager and the Project Coordinator MAAIF, and shall be supervised by the Team Leader, Energy and Environment Unit. The UNDP-CO will ensure the timely provision of travel (including per diems) arrangements within the country for the evaluation team;
- The Project Implementing partner will be responsible for liaising with the Evaluation team to set up stakeholder interviews, arrange field visits and coordinate with Government. The planning and the administrative arrangements for the TE will be done in collaboration with the UNDP Head Quarters. UNDP will support organization of stakeholder workshops to review the report;
- The Consultant will liaise, interact, and collaborate/meet with Officials from District Local Governments Nakasongola, Nakaseke, Kamuli, Kaliro, Lyantonde and Sembabule as well as relevant Central Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
- Access to required information (copy of project document, copy of Mid Term Review Report, Annual Work plans, Progress reports and other project related reports);
- Access to UNDP Office and its infrastructure (e.g conference room and internet while at UNDP);
- Support and assistance to gain access to relevant stakeholders for consultations;
- Transport for visits both within Kampala and in the field (for Official purposes only);
- UNDP Kampala and the Project Office will coordinate the study and keep abreast of the mission’s activities during the consultants stay.
- The term "All inclusive" implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal;
- Individuals on IC are not UN staff and are therefore not entitled to DSAs. All living allowances required to perform the demands of the TOR must be incorporated in the financial proposal, whether the fees are expressed as daily fees or lump sum amount. Duty Station: Kampala; no additional reporting requirements
Payment to the Consultant will be made in two instalments upon satisfactory completion of the following deliverables:
- 30% of the contract amount upon submission of an acceptable inception report;
- 70% of the contract amount upon submission, presentation and approval of draft report and upon submission, presentation and approval of final terminal evaluation report.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:- Excellent English writing and communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations in order to analyse critical issues succinctly and clearly and draw forward-looking conclusions;
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Positive, constructive attitude towards work;
- Ability to act professionally;
- Flexibility in engaging with stakeholders;
- Creative and innovative;
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
- Technical Expert must possess a Master of Science degree.
- At least 10 years of experience in natural resources management, socio-economic development or related fields;
- Substantive knowledge of participatory M&E processes is essential, and experience with CBOs/community development processes; design, implementation and/or management of community and local level sustainable livelihoods initiatives and country experience in Uganda are advantages;
- Familiarity with sustainable land management related projects in Uganda and particularly the cattle corridor Region, either through managing or evaluating donor-funded projects.
- Experience in the evaluation of technical assistance projects, if possible with UNDP or other UN development agencies and major donors, is required. A demonstrated understanding of UNDP principles and expected impacts in terms of poverty reduction and sustainable development is essential.
- Familiarity and knowledge of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, integrated approaches to drylands development and capacity development projects would be an asset
- Experience in working with local communities and small multi-disciplinary teams to deliver quality products in high stress, short deadline situations.
- Fluency in English is required.
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:
- Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
- Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation 70%-30%;
- Technical Criteria weight- 70%;
- Financial Criteria weight- 30%.
- Expertise of the Individual – 30 Points;
- Description of approach/methodology to assignment – 70 Points.
- Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex F).
- Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
- Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
- A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
Financial proposal:
- The lump sum amount must be “all-inclusive”;
- The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.