UNDP Jobs - 47485- International Consultant to Carry Out Mid-term Eva

International Consultant to Carry Out Mid-term Evaluation of the UNDP/GEF Project

Location :

Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

22-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 working days

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 working days

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/GEF M&E policies and procedures, all full-size projects supported by the GEF should undergo a mid-term evaluation in the course of project implementation.

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) policy at the project level in UNDP/GEF has four objectives:

To monitor and evaluate results and impacts;
To provide a basis for decision making on necessary amendments and improvements;
To promote accountability for resource use; and
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.

The evaluation is to be undertaken in accordance with the “GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policy” (see http://thegef.org/MonitoringandEvaluation/MEPoliciesProcedures/mepoliciesprocedures.html).

This Mid-Term Evaluation is initiated by UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan and Bratislava Regional Centre as the GEF Implementing Agency for this project and it aims to provide managers (at the level of regulatory bodies of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, and UNDP/GEF) with a comprehensive overall assessment of the project and with a strategy for replicating the results. It also provides the basis for learning and accountability for managers and stakeholders

Duties and Responsibilities

Desk review of documents, development of draft methodology, detailed work plan and MTE outline (maximum 4-day homework);
Debriefing with UNDP CO, agreement on the methodology, scope and outline of the MTE report (1 day);
Interviews with project implementing partner (executing agency), relevant Government, NGO and donor representatives and UNDP/GEF Regional Technical Advisor (maximum 3 days);
Field visit to the pilot project site and interviews (2 days);
Debriefing with UNDP (1 day);
Development and submission of the first MTE report draft (maximum of 4 days). Submission is due on the 16-th day of the assignment. The draft will be shared with the UNDP CO, UNDP/GEF (UNDP/GEF RCU Bratislava) and key project stakeholders for review and commenting;
Finalization and submission of the final MTE report through incorporating suggestions received on the draft report (maximum 5 days);
Supervision of the work of the national consultant (during entire evaluation period.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standard;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP and GEF;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and experience with programming development, monitoring and evaluation;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change, flexibility, and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to work under pressure and with multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams and possess excellent inter-personal skills;
Demonstrates strong written and oral communication skills;
Remains calm, in control, and good humoured even under pressure;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
Ability to establish priorities for self and others, and to work independently.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Renewable Energy Sources Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Economics, Physics or other related areas;

Experience:

A Minimum of 7 years working experience in providing management or consultancy services to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects, preferably with components on small hydropower plants development;
Experience in monitoring and evaluating renewable energy related projects for UN or other international development agencies (at least in one project);
Recent knowledge of the GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policy;
Recent knowledge of UNDP’s results-based management policies and procedures;
Recognized expertise in the renewable energy and energy efficiency and excellent understanding of climate change issues;
Familiarity with renewable energy and energy efficiency in CIS would be an asset;

Language:

Fluent in English both written and spoken;
Fluency in Russian is an asset.