UNDP Jobs - 54967- Individual Consultancy for Team Specialist to unde

Individual Consultancy for Team Specialist to undertake the Mid Term Review of UNDP Seychelles Country Programme 2012-2016

Location :

Mahe, SEYCHELLES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

10-Apr-2015

Application Deadline :

30-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 Working days over 2.5 months

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 Working days over 2.5 months

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

Project Title

Country Programme Document (CPD) 2012-2016

Background

The UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2012-2016 was approved by the Executive Board in September 2011. It defines three outcomes, which represent the anticipated development change to be achieved after a five-year period, at the end of 2016. Seychelles did not adopt the CPAP and opted for preparation of Project Documents with Annual Work Plans derived from the CPD outcomes. The Project Documents is the main programming monitoring instruments, detailing outcomes, outputs, with measurable annual targets, baselines and indicators. The CPD has three programme components and three outcomes. The three programme components are: i) MDGs and Poverty Reduction; ii) Democratic Governance and iii) Environment and Sustainable Development.

Since the inception of the Country Programme, UNDP has conducted annual assessments of results through the ROAR (Results Oriented Annual Reports) against established CPD targets. Furthermore, several of the outputs (Projects) under the CPD underwent mid-term evaluations and one output conducted a terminal evaluation in 2013 (Governance). As a result of the review processes and in conjunction with national counterparts, annual targets and indicators at output level were revised and adjusted taking into account evolving national development priorities and context. December 2014 marked 3 years of implementation of the CPD- and the mid-point of the Country Programme now provides an opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of UNDP contribution to development effectiveness.

Purpose of the Review

Consistent with UNDP policy guidance all outcomes to which UNDP is contributing through aligned activities and planned outputs must be monitored. The mid-term review is an opportunity to monitor the strategic course, relevance and effectiveness of the implementation of the country programme. The exercise allows UNDP to engage key stakeholders to discuss achievements, lessons learned and adjustments required in response to an evolving development landscape and changing national priorities. The exercise will allow UNDP to make any changes to the strategic direction of the country programme, as well as the allocation of resources, ensuring it is aligned to national priorities and responsive to national demand. It will also be used as a tool to guide programmatic planning.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective and Scope:

Objective

The objective of the mid-term review is to comprehensively assess the progress in achieving the results of the country programme, its relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of strategies in the light of the development priorities of Seychelles. Specifically the review will assess:

The relevance and strategic positioning of UNDP support to Seychelles on Poverty Reduction and MDGs; Democratic Governance and Environment and Sustainable Development;
The frameworks and strategies that UNDP has devised for its support on Poverty Reduction and MDGs; Democratic Governance and Environment and Sustainable Development, including partnership strategies, and whether they are well conceived for achieving the planned objectives;
The progress made towards achieving the 3 outcomes, through specific projects and advisory services, and including contributing factors and constraints;
The progress to date under these outcomes and what can be derived in terms of lessons learned for future UNDP support to Poverty Reduction and MDGs; Democratic Governance and Environment and Sustainable Development and Propose areas of re-positioning and re-focusing of the CPD within the current Seychelles’s development context, and in light of UNDP’s new strategic plan.

Scope

The review will be conducted between 15th April and 30th June 2015 with a view to enhancing current programmes while providing strategic direction and inputs to the next UNDP programme and UNDAF cycle schedule to start in 2015.

The review will undertake a comprehensive analysis of the UNDP programme portfolio and activities during the period under review specially examining UNDP’s 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 will cover

UNDP assistance funded from both core and non-core resources. The MTR has two main components: the analysis of development results and the strategic positioning of UNDP. For each component, the MTR will present its findings and assessment according to the set criteria provided below.

Refer to Detailed TOR as posted on http://www.mu.undp.org/content/mauritius_and_seychelles/en/home/operations/procurement/;

Methodology and Approach

It is expected that MTR will use an appropriate range of data collection and analysis methods to come up with findings, conclusions and recommendations for the questions mentioned above. The review exercise will be wide-ranging, consultative and participatory, entailing but not limited to a combination of comprehensive desk reviews, interview, focus groups and field visits as appropriate.. While interviews are a key instrument, all analysis must be based on observed facts to ensure that the review is sound and objective. On the basis of the foregoing, the consultants will elaborate on the method and approach in a manner commensurate with the assignment at hand and reflect this in the inception report; which will subsequently be approved in consultation with key stakeholders.

Validation Mechanism: The team will use a variety of methods to ensure the validity of the data collected. In addition to systematic triangulation of data sources and data collection methods and tolls, the validation of data will be sought through regular exchanges with the UNDP CO programme staff as well as with Implementing Partners. A validation seminar is planned to be conducted with national partners before the actual completion of the MTR;
Stakeholder Participation: The MTR will adopt an inclusive and participatory approach, involving a broad range of partners and stakeholders. A stakeholders mapping will be performed in order to identify both UNDP’s direct and indirect partners. These stakeholders may include representatives from the government, civil-society organizations, the private sector, UN organizations, other multilateral and bilateral organizations, and most importantly, the beneficiaries of the programme.

Management and Conduct of the MTR

UNDP CO and UNDP in Seychelles will help the team for liaison, coordination and any other kind of support to conduct and complete the review. The UNDP Programme Manager for Seychelles will be the focal person for the review exercise. In order to ensure a smooth review process and involvement of relevant stakeholders, UNDP in Seychelles will provide the necessary support including:

Compilation of documents and background materials for the review team;
Stakeholder mapping of the main partners;
List of Atlas projects;
Preliminary Itinerary of field visit;
Linking and liaising within UNDP CO as well as with Implementing Partners and other stakeholders.

The MTR team will be facilitated by Operation and Programme units for other logistical support along the process.
The MTR Reference Group will be set up by UNDP in order to ensure objectivity as well as technical soundness of the process. Specific tasks of the Reference Group will be to review and provide guidance to the MTR process, including the evaluation questions, Inception Report, facilitate access to information, comments to draft reports, among others.Refer to Detailed TOR.

MTR Process

The review will unfold in three phases, each of them including several steps as outlined:

Design phase

Document and desk review (review of all relevant documents (project documents and reports regarding the CPD 2012 -2016);
Stakeholder mapping (a mapping of stakeholders relevant to the CPD. The mapping exercise will include government and civil society stakeholders and will indicate the relationships between different sets of stakeholders) ;
Analysis of the Results and Resources Framework (Result Resource Matrix and M & E Plan);
Finalization of the list of evaluation questions;
Development of data collection and analysis strategy as well as concrete work plan for the field phase.

At the end of this phase, the review team will produce an Inception report, displaying the results of the above mentioned steps and tasks.

Field phase

After the design phase, the evaluation team will undertake an in-country mission of 12 working days to collect and analyze the data required in order to answer the final evaluation questions, consolidated during the design phase. At the end of the Field phase, the Review team will provide the UNDP CO with debriefing presentation on the preliminary results of the review, with a view to validating preliminary findings and testing tentative conclusions and/or recommendations.

Synthesis phase

During this phase, the evaluation team will continue the analytical work initiated during the field phase and prepare a first draft of the MTR report, taking into account comments made by the UNDP CO at the debriefing meeting. The first draft of the report will be submitted to the Reference Group for comments in writing. Based on the comments from the Reference Group the second draft of the report will be prepared. The second draft will be presented in country at validation seminar, which should be attended by the key programme stakeholders, including Implementing Partners, and UNDP staff. The final report will be drafted shortly after the validation seminar, taking into account comments made by the participants.

MTR Team Composition- Team Specialist

The team will be composed from 2 consultants- the Team Leader and the Team Specialist. The work of the MTR team will be guided by the Norms and Standards established by the United Nations Evaluation Group. Team members will be requested to sign the Code of Conduct prior to engaging in the review exercise.
The overall responsibility of the Team Specialist will be to support the entire process. S/he will be local consultant who will provide support the Team Leader and provide expertise in specific subject area of the evaluation either poverty and MDGs or governance and human rights; and gender/ gender based violence issues. S/he will take part in the data collection and analysis work during the design and field work phase. S/he will be responsible for drafting key parts of the Inception report and of final MTR report, covering relevant part of the report.

Duration of contract

Duration of contract is set at 20 work days over 2.5 months for the Team Specialist;
Workdays will be distributed between the date of contract signature and final approval. UNDP will pay the consultancy fees per working day as per the local rates applicable.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UNs values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Operational effectiveness;
Solid knowledge of financial and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business Management and Leadership;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications and competencies required for Team Specialist

Education:

Degree in social sciences, political science, economics and related fields with at least 3 progressive years working in a similar field.

Experience:

Knowledge and expertise on development aspect of the country especially on Government and Human Rights and Gender and Environment;
Significant knowledge and extensive experience of complex evaluations in the field of development aid for UN agencies (Preferably UNDP) and/or other international organizations;
Strong analytical and research skills with sufficient understanding of survey design, quantitative/qualitative methods and data analysis;
Familiarity with UN (preferably UNDP) evaluation guidelines and processes is a plus;
Excellent written and spoken English. Writing skills that include an attention to detail as well as a grasp of conceptual frameworks;
Outstanding interpersonal skills, teamwork, and competency to operate in a multi-cultural and diverse environment.

Language:

Excellent written and spoken English.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

Applicants are requested to apply online http://jobs.undp.org. Individual consultants are invited to submit applications & below requirements.

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
Personal CV and P11 (both), indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references. Candidates not submitting P11 will not be considered;
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment;
Financial Proposal supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Financial Proposal:

A financial proposal has to be submitted by offerors which specifies:

Daily Fee. The Daily fee should be all inclusive. The term “All inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consummables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. (For information only, the UN Daily Subsistence Allowance at the duty station is 333 USD as of March 2015.)
An IC Time Sheet must be submitted by the Contractor, duly approved by the Individual Contractor’s supervisor, which shall serve as the basis for the payment of fees (as per template)

Schedule of Payments:

20% payable upon submission of proposed methodology/work plan and Inception Report (20 April);
40% upon submission of First Draft MTR Report (15th May 2015);
40% upon satisfactory completion of assignment and endorsement of MTR by UNDP CO no later than 20th June 2015.

Proposed Workplan and Indicative Timeline

It is planned that the MTR starts in mid-April 2015, and shall expire on the satisfactory completion of the services of the services described above by 30th June 2015;
The following schedule of activities is only illustrative, and a final timeline will need to be refined and presented by the Team Leader to the Reference Group:

Timeline: March 15th 2015- 30th March 2015
Activity: Recruitment (Advert on UN Jobs website)

Timeline: March 26th 2015– April 01st 2015
Activity: Finalization and Selection of Candidates

Timeline: April 10th 2015- April 15th 2015
Activity: Contract Signature and Desk Review

Timeline: April 20th – May 10th 2015
Activity: In country Mission (including Inception W/shop and presentation of findings)

Timeline: May 15th 2015- 25th May 2015
Activity: Submission of Draft report and comments from stakeholders

Timeline: May 25th 2015- June 20th 2015
Activity: Final Submission of Report

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

All Applicants will be requested to submit a price offer indicating their proposed daily fee rate for the assignment, based against the above stipulated evaluation schedule. Following UNDP procurement rules, both technical competence (70%) and the consultant daily fee rate (30%) will be taken into account in the selection process.

Qualified women and members of social minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Educational Qualifications: Higher Degree in Economics, Social or Political Sciences or related fields: 15 marks;
Content Knowledge: Must have experience in MDGs, Environment and Developmental aspects of the country. SIDS experience a plus: 30 marks;
Evaluation Experience: Must have prior evaluation experience with UN or similar agencies: 25 marks;
Background: Public Management experience background is preferred with demonstrated ability to work in a diverse environment: 20 marks;
Report writing Skills: Report writing skills: 5 marks;
Proficiency in English: Fluency in English is required. French or Creole would be an Advantage: 5 marks;

Total: 100 marks.

Important Note:

Interested offeror is strongly advised to view the detailed Terms of Reference on the UNDP Mauritius website, general terms and conditions of IC and templates to be included when submitting offer from the CO website at http://www.mu.undp.org/content/mauritius_and_seychelles/en/home/operations/procurement/;
Interested offerors above the age of 62: UNDP regulations require, at their own cost, to undergo a full medical examination including x-rays. Medical evaluation documentation does not need to be submitted with the other requested documents listed above, but will be requested should the candidate be chosen;
Interested offeror is required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system, because the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system;
Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document ie at the time of the request to upload CV, so please make sure that you merge all your documents - CV, Covering Letter, P11, Technical and Financial submission - into a single file. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.