UNDP Jobs - 46284- International Consultant on Terminal Evaluation (T

International Consultant on Terminal Evaluation (TE) of the Project Developing the Protected Area System of Armenia

Location :

Yerevan, ARMENIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2014

Application Deadline :

21-May-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

16 days within 01 June-5 Sep 2014 period

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

16 days within 01 June-5 Sep 2014 period

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

In accordance with UNDP and GEF M&E policies and procedures, all full and medium-sized UNDP-supported GEF-financed projects are required to undergo a terminal evaluation upon completion of implementation. These terms of reference (TOR) at http://operations.undp.am/recruitment/JobView.aspx?id=1003 sets out the expectations for a Terminal Evaluation (TE) of the project Developing the Protected Area System of Armenia (PIMS 3986).

The project was designed to conserve globally significant biodiversity in Armenia. The project’s objective is to catalyze the expansion of the nature reserves to provide better representation of ecosystems within Armenia’s current protected area system (PAS) and enable active conservation of biodiversity. The project’s two components will focus upon: (1) rationalization of the protected areas system through improving the regulatory and institutional framework relevant to Sanctuary establishment and operation; and (2) institutional capacity building by piloting a suite of Sanctuary management tools largely absent from Armenian’s current protected area management regime.
This project’s efforts aimed to result in a national protected area system better equipped to include and conserve currently under-represented ecosystems and associated species. Project worked in community areas to improve management of productive landscapes while helping to promote connectivity and alleviate poverty. These ecosystems outside the shelter of Armenia’s protected areas are critical to the long-term conservation of several globally significant species, including many endemic agro-biodiversity resources. The project also worked to enhance the financial sustainability of Armenia’s protected area system.

(The project document can be retrieved from: http://www.thegef.org/gef/project_detail?projID=3762)

The TE will be conducted according to the guidance, rules and procedures established by UNDP and GEF as reflected in the UNDP Evaluation Guidance for GEF Financed Projects.

The objectives of the evaluation are to assess the achievement of project results, and to draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming.

Duties and Responsibilities

An overall approach and method for conducting project terminal evaluations of UNDP supported GEF financed projects has developed over time. The evaluator is expected to frame the evaluation effort using the criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact, as defined and explained in the UNDP Guidance for Conducting Terminal Evaluations of UNDP-supported, GEF-financed Projects.The evaluator will be responsible to carry out the following main tasks, using the detailed requirements and guides in the full Terms of Reference (with annexes) at http://operations.undp.am/recruitment/JobView.aspx?id=1003 website:

The evaluator is expected to follow a participatory and consultative approach ensuring close engagement with government counterparts, in particular the GEF operational focal point, UNDP Country Office, project team, UNDP GEF Technical Adviser based in the region and key stakeholders. The evaluation must provide evidence-based information that is credible, reliable and useful;
The evaluator is expected to conduct a field mission to Armenia including the following project sites: Gnishik Protected Landscape and its Support Zone in Vayots Dzor region, and Zangezur and Khustup State Sanctuaries in Syunik region of Armenia. Interviews will be held with the representatives of number of organizations;
The evaluator will review all relevant sources of information, such as the project document, project reports – including Annual APR/PIR, project budget revisions, midterm review, progress reports, GEF focal area tracking tools, such as protected areas financial score cards (FSC), initial, mid-term and terminal management effectiveness tracking tools (METT), project files, national strategic and legal documents, and any other materials that the evaluator considers useful for this evidence-based assessment. A list of documents that the project team will provide to the evaluator for review is included in Annex B of this Terms of Reference;
Project performance assessment will be carried out byevaluator , based against expectations set out in the Project Logical Framework/Results Framework (Annex A), which provides performance and impact indicators for project implementation along with their corresponding means of verification. The evaluation will at a minimum cover the criteria of: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact. Ratings must be provided on the following performance criteria. The competed table must be included in the evaluation executive summary. The obligatory rating scales are included in TOR Annex D;
The Evaluator will assess the key financial aspects of the project, including the extent of co-financing planned and realized. Project cost and funding data will be required, including annual expenditures. Variances between planned and actual expenditures will need to be assessed and explained. Results from recent financial audits, as available, should be taken into consideration. The evaluator will receive assistance from the Country Office (CO) and Project Team to obtain financial data in order to complete the co-financing table below, which will be included in the terminal evaluation report;
The evaluatior will assess the extent to which the project was successfully mainstreamed with other UNDP priorities, including poverty alleviation, improved governance, the prevention and recovery from natural disasters, and gender;
The evaluator will assess the extent to which the project is achieving impacts or progressing towards the achievement of impacts. Key findings that should be brought out in the evaluations include whether the project has demonstrated: a) verifiable improvements in ecological status, b) verifiable reductions in stress on ecological systems, and/or c) demonstrated progress towards these impact achievements.

Evaluation timeframe:

Preparation-2 days; to be completed by 8 June 2014;
Evaluation Mission-7 days; to be completed 22-28 June 2014;
Draft Evaluation Report-5 days; to be completed 22 August 2014;
Final Report-2 days; to be completed 5 September 2014 .

Evaluation deliverables:

Inception Report-Evaluator provides clarifications on timing and method;
Presentation-Initial Findings;
Draft Final Report-Full report, (per annexed template) with annexes;
Final Report .

Competencies

Knowledge of UNDP and GEF M&E guidelines and procedures;
Technical knowledge in the targeted focal area(s);
Evaluator will be held to the highest ethical standards and is required to sign a Code of Conduct (Annex E) upon acceptance of the assignment;
UNDP evaluations are conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the UNEG 'Ethical Guidelines for Evaluations'.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in Environmental and/or Natural Resource and/or Protected Areas Management or other related areas

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience;
Experience in management of nature protected areas and/or in evaluation of nature protected areas;
Previous experience with results-based monitoring and evaluation methodologies.

Languages:

Fluency in English – both spoken and written;
knowledge of Armenian and/or Russian will be an asset.

Application:

Please visit http://operations.undp.am/recruitment/JobView.aspx?id=1003 website to obtain full Terms of Reference.

Individual consultants are invited to submit applications together with their CV . The application should contain a current and complete CV in English with indication of the e-mail and phone contact. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to submit a price offer indicating the total cost of the assignment (including daily fee, per diem and travel costs).
UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.