Background

UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It works with individual countries on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP Lesotho supports Lesotho’s development priorities laid out in the National Strategic Development Plan and through that, the achievement of the MDGs.

The main focus areas of the UNDP Country Programme are Democratic Governance; Environment and Energy; Poverty Reduction and Economic Growth, with Gender Mainstreaming and HIV/AIDS as crosscutting areas. Consolidation of Democracy and Good Governance in Lesotho (CDGG) is a five -year (2009-2014) programme jointly funded by Irish Aid and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to deepen democracy and good governance through improved electoral processes, effective functioning of parliament and enhanced promotion of human rights.

To achieve its primary goals and objectives, the CDGG has identified, albeit not limited to, the following key institutions as enabling partners: The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), National Assembly, the Senate, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and the Correctional Service (now Ministry of Law, Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights) and the Office of the Ombudsman. The evaluation will examine the efficiency, effectiveness and relevance of the project against targets as set in the project document. It is intended, moreover, to provide stakeholders with lessons learned as well as concrete findings and recommendations.
  • Using the DAC criteria (Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact and Sustainability);
  • Assess progress in achieving the objectives and targets of the program and lessons learnt, with particular emphasis on the practical results and actual impacts;
  • Assess the strategic focus and approach of the programme, and its relevance to country priorities and needs;
  • Synergies, linkages and alignment with other initiatives and partnerships at the country level;
  • Institutional and management arrangements for programming, managing, monitoring and evaluating of the program;
  • Key achievements, milestones and contributions of the project to Democratic Governance efficiency and effectiveness;
  • Key gaps in achievements, constraints to achievements and suggested steps to mitigate these;
  • Sustainability of the achieved results;
  • Formulate recommendations for potential next phase for governance interventions, future direction, focusing on the impact and sustainability, and new and innovative approaches.

Competencies

Functional competencies:
  • Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations succinctly distills critical issues, and draw forward-looking conclusions and recommendations;
  •  Ability and experience to work with multi-disciplinary and national teams, and deliver quality reports within the given time;
  • Excellent business development, negotiation, analytical, research, presentation and communication skills; 
  • Writing and communication will be in English, and must have excellent communication skills in English.
Core Competencies:
  • Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
  • Promoting enabling environment for open communication;
  • Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
  • Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master’s Degree in Political Science, Governance, Public Administration, Management, Development Studies or other Social Sciences.
Experience:
  • At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in the evaluation of development projects;
  • Experience of advisory work on institutional development, public administration in Africa is essential;
  • Experience working with UN or international / bi-lateral agencies preferably in evaluating multi-donor projects;
  • Previous work experience on the evaluation of governance projects in Africa is essential;
  • Provide evidence of previous relevant evaluation experience, references and quality reports.
Language:
  • Fluent in English, and must have excellent communication skills.
Applications:

Applications from qualified and interested parties should include updated Curriculum Vitae or P11, with three valid professional referees, and a cover letter outlining the relevant experience of the team and a summary of how they intend to conduct this evaluation in-line with the TORs. Financial Proposal, all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. The Lump Sum Amount Price proposal should clearly state the overall fees. The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components;
The following will serve as basis for evaluating offers and selection of the consultant: Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70% (using the qualification and experience as a basis), and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%

Note:

Non-submission of relevant reports and references will lead to automatic disqualification.
Detailed terms of reference can be accessed at http://www.undp.org.ls/jobs