Background

The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2012 -2016 is a key element of the UN Reform and the joint response of the UN Country Team (UNCT) to the national development priorities in the line with the Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE, 2012 -2015) and Vision 2020 of the Country as well as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This UNDAF outlines the strategic direction and results expected from cooperation between the Government of The Gambia (GoTG) and the United Nations System (UNS) for the period 2012 -2016. The UNCT members signed the UNDAF (2012 -2016) with the Government of The Gambia in 2011. Implementation of UN supported activities related to the UNDAF are being implemented by the United Nations (UN), Government institutions, civil society including NGOs, and other development partners since 2012.
 
As stipulated in the Monitoring and Evaluation Calendar of the UNDAF (2012 -2016), a Mid-Term Review of UNDAF should be undertaken in 2014. In close cooperation with all stakeholders it has been decided to use the mid-term review to assess programme results, review programme strategies and provide forward looking recommendations that aim to improve the effectiveness of the UNDAF. The Mid-term Review will mainly focus on the framework of the UNDAF Results Matrix.

This framework for the five-year period (2012 -2016) has three main strategic priorities which are:
  • 1. Poverty Reduction and Social Protection;
  • 2. Basic Social Services; and
  • 3. Governance and Human Rights. It has 8 outcomes with 23 outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of the MTR is to assess the level of performance towards achieving the UNDAF outputs and outcomes. It will also take stock of the environment within which the UN is operating and assess the effectiveness of UNDAF as a tool of support to the achievement of national priorities and enhanced coordination and harmonization among all UN agencies. The conclusions of the assessment will ensure a better alignment of UN assistance towards addressing national priorities and achieve greater development impact. Results from the assessment will also help determine how emerging issues which are not reflected in the current UNDAF might be incorporated during the rest of the current or next UNDAF cycle. This review would therefore be a stepping stone towards the Mid-Term, which will in its turn serve as an analytical tool in preparation for the remaining period and for the development of the next UNDAF cycle.
 
The MTR would entail an assessment of the current UNDAF after two and a half years of programme implementation by seeking:
  • To assess the results achieved from the implementation of the UNDAF (2012 -2016) and its programmatic impact and identify the way forward;
  • To examine the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of strategies and interventions of the UNDAF (2012 -2016);
  • To propose areas of re-positioning and re-focusing of the UNDAF within the Gambia’s current development context,
  • To assess UNDAF responsiveness to emerging issues such as social protection, DRR, the Demographic Dividend, non-communicable diseases, etc.;
  • To assess the suitability of the indicators, benchmarks and targets set in the UNDAF;
  •  To assess the operational and coordination mechanism of the UNDAF with a view to identifying strengths and weaknesses and proposing measures to engender more effective coordination of UNDAF programmes;
  • Provide lessons and recommendation for improving performance in the remaining period of the current UNDAF and for the development of the next UNDAF.
Scope:
The review will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the UNDAF programme portfolio during the period under review, specially examining UN contribution to national development results across the country. It will assess key results, specifically outcomes- anticipated and unanticipated, positive and negative, intentional and unintentional; and the exercise will cover an assessment the availability and utilization of resources for the UNDAF. The MTR has two main components: the analysis of development results and the strategic positioning of UNCT.
 
Deleverables:
The review products of The Gambia UNDAF 2012 - 2016 Mid-Term Review will be the following:
  • Inception report, Preliminary Report in presentation form for Reference Group, Draft MTR report, and Final Report of Mid-Term Review of UNDAF 2012 - 2016 after incorporation of comments during the validation.
Notes:
The detailed TOR can be accessed in The Gambia UNDP Country Office website: gm.undp.org

Competencies

Functional Competencies:
  • Knowledge and skill on development aspect of the country especially in one or more of the UNDAF thematic areas: Poverty & Social Protection; Basic Social Service; and Governance and Human Rights;
  • Significant knowledge and skill of complex MTRs/evaluations (UNDAF) in the field of development aid for UN agencies and/or other international organizations, particularly in developing countries;
  • Strong analytical and research skills with sufficient understanding of survey design, quantitative/qualitative methods and data analysis.
  • Familiarity with UN MTR/evaluation guidelines and processes is a plus;
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills, teamwork, and competency to operate in a multi-cultural and diverse environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  •  An advanced degree in social sciences, political science, economics and related fields.

Experience:

  • Extensive experience of complex MTRs/evaluations (UNDAF) in the field of development aid for UN agencies and/or other international organizations, particularly in developing countrie;
  • Public sector management experience;
  • Familiarity with the region and The Gambia in particular.

Language:

  • Excellent written and spoken English;
  • Writing skills that include an attention to detail as well as a grasp of conceptual frameworks.