UNDP Jobs - 48350- Project Evaluation Specialist

Project Evaluation Specialist – Independent Project Evaluation for “Support to the General Secretariat of Supreme Council for Planning and Development” Project

Location :

Kuwait, KUWAIT

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 Month

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

The General Secretariat Of Supreme Council for Planning And Development (GSSCPD) and UNDP have joined efforts to activate the planning function within the state in order to ensure the optimal use and best distribution of available resources to support social and economic progress thereby leading to economic growth and raising the quality of life for the citizens of the state. GSSCPD is responsible for formulating the 2035 Amiri vision for the state and the strategic development objective of the mid-range development plan (MRDP) which was endorsed by the parliament in 2010. The aim of the GSSCPD is to ensure a conducive environment for the implementation of the interventions and programmes of the MRDP. The GSSCPD project document signed in July 2011 focuses on responding to the capacity building needs of GSSCPD as well as other Government entities

The project’s expected outputs are:

National planning and implementation systems developed and GSSCPD role in economic management national recourses enhanced;
Planning departments in line ministries conduct their functions more efficiently and effectively;
Organizational structure of GSSCPD strengthened and improved leading to more efficient and effective organization.
Technical and human capacity of the GSSCPD developed to enable it to conduct its functions more effectively;
Quality of GSSCPD outputs enhanced;
National Human development report (NHDR) published on annual biases.
Knowledge management and data integrity improved at the GSSCPD
Intranet developed to allow staff to communicate and share a wide variety of information in a cost-effective and interactive way.

The project is currently completing its final year of implementation. The GSSCPD and UNDP are seeking to conduct an independent project evaluation which will provide a comprehensive overall assessment of the project and serves as an opportunity to assess its management arrangements and technical support along with the issues and constraints facing its implementation. The evaluation will:

Analyze the progress of the project activities, quality of results and impact vis-a-vis its expected outcomes;
Evaluate the Project management and coordination arrangements;
Highlight lessons learned in implementation and Project management and identify challenges for eventual corrective measures;
Generate evidence based findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding the results, challenges, sustainability and cost-effectiveness;
Analyze the reasons for deviations, if any, from the project goals and outcomes;
Further reflect on developments brought about by internal or external events and the possible resulting change in priorities;
Review the added value of UNDP support or cooperation with local and government authorities and local civil society actors in achieving the outcomes;
Provide concrete recommendations towards the sustainability of the results;
Provide recommendations on improving strategies and suggest mechanisms and orientations for new phase of support as part of the new CPD (2015-2018).

Duties and Responsibilities

Review, evaluate and document The Support to GSSCPD project achievements, effectiveness, relevance, efficiency , impact, timeliness, and sustainability (assessment of Support to GSSCPD);
Meet and discuss with relevant project team, UNDP and relevant; stakeholders the project results, impacts and challenges;
Propose recommendation and corrective actions to UNDP and GSSCPD with regards to the management of the project, its continuity and orientations

Deliverables and Schedule

The consultant will be expected to produce the following:

Deliverable 1: Evaluation Work plan, Timeframe and Inception Report (due 5 days from start of consultancy)

Review of project document and progress reports;
Other relevant literature review;
Briefing from UNDP Office;
Agreement on activities & timeframes;
List of required stake holders to meet;
Development of assessment methodology

Deliverable 2: Documented records of interviews and observations with stakeholders (Due 10 days from start of consultancy)

Meetings and discussions with Stakeholders:
Discussions with UNDP and GSSCPD officials, project staff,
Meeting with other relevant stake holders (will be recommended by UNDP);
Field visit to beneficiaries.

Deliverable 3: Submission of the first draft of the evaluation report (due 20 days from start of consultancy)

Power point presentation, to present the findings of the evaluation to UNDP and GSSCPD separately;
Incorporate UNDP and GSSCPD remarks in the final report

Deliverable 4: Submission of Final Report (Due 30 days from start of consultancy)

The report should be prepared according to the evaluation standards of UNDP, of maximum 25 pages in word document format with tables/graphs where appropriate, incorporating comments made on the draft report and will focus on the following aspects:

The achievement of the Project objective/outputs;

Processes;
Sustainability of results;
Monitoring and evaluation; and
Conclusions, lessons learned and recommendations on the way forward.

(The inception plan and the draft and the final evaluation report should be submitted by the Consultant in Arabic and in English.)

Work Arrangements

The Assignment will be both home based and in Kuwait. The Consultant will be on a governmental contract administered by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development.

Competencies

Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations in order to succinctly and clearly distil critical issues and draw forward looking conclusions;
Good knowledge of the UNDP Evaluation Policy;
Knowledge of Result-Based Management Evaluation methodologies;
Demonstrable analytical skills;
Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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; fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
Strong communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least a Master degree or equivalent in development, strategic planning, public policy or a relevant field.

Experience:

Extensive knowledge of, and minimum of 10 years of experience in applying qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods;
Proven record in designing and leading evaluations;
Technical competence in in strategic planning for development;
Good knowledge of the role of the UN, preferably UNDP and its programming;
Background in Kuwaiti social and cultural context will be considered an asset.

Language:

Excellent communication, reading and writing skills in both English and Arabic.

Note:

The Consultant will be on a governmental contract administered by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development.