UNDP Jobs - 56150- Consultant (3 positions): Team Specialist in UNDP'

Consultant (3 positions): Team Specialist in UNDP's areas of intervention, Assessment of Development Results - Albania

Location :

Tirana, ALBANIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

17-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

30-45 working days within the period of June and December 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) conducts country evaluations called, “Assessments of Development Results (ADRs)” to capture and demonstrate evaluative evidence of UNDP’s contributions to development results at the country level, as well as the effectiveness of UNDP’s strategy in facilitating and leveraging national effort for achieving development results. ADRs are independent evaluations carried out within the overall provisions contained in the UNDP Evaluation Policy.

The IEO is carrying out an ADR in Albania starting June 2015. The evaluation has two main components: (1) the analysis of the UNDP’s contribution to development results through its thematic/programmatic areas; and (2) the strategic positioning of UNDP. For each component, the ADR will present its findings and assessment, as defined in the ADR Method Manual. The ADR will assess UNDP programme contribution during 2007 to 2015.

The IEO seeking international consultants for the ADR in Albania with expertise in one or more of the following thematic areas: (1) Democratic Governance and Local Development; (2) Economic and Social Inclusion; and (3) Environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key tasks

Team specialists will work closely with the IEO staff (EM and AEM) during the evaluation, particularly during data collection and analysis and the preparation of written analyses on outcomes. His/her key tasks include:

Review reference material provided by IEO (e.g., country programme related documents, past evaluation reports, project documents, and ROARs) and assess the designated thematic area by preparing a draft outcome analysis paper for each outcome (prior to field work);
Conduct field-based data collection activities (e.g. interviews and site visits) in accordance with the evaluation design and methodology as guided by EM/AEM. Thoroughly assess all items and questions covered in the outcome analysis paper by filling in the ‘gaps’ during the field work. Prepare a paper on the assigned thematic area based on the assessment of all outcomes;
As a member of the evaluation team, actively participate in the team’s discussions and joint analysis sessions. Participate in the debriefing session at the Albania Country Office (CO) of preliminary results;
Be responsible for his/ her own work schedule (e.g., conduct of necessary field visits and interviews) in consultation with IEO/CO staff; and
Provide any additional data, information, clarification to the analyses, as requested by EM/AEM.

All reports and documents will be produced in English. Travel foreseen includes field visits to relevant project sites in Albania (approx. 2-3 weeks). The exact locations of site visits will be decided upon consultation with CO.

Competencies

Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and ability to provide policy advice;
Strong report writing and communication skills; and
Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s degree or higher in Public Policy, Government, Political Science, Social Science, International Relations or any other areas relevant to the post.

Experience

A minimum of 7 years of work experience;
Substantive technical knowledge of one or more of the thematic areas (i) Democratic Governance and Local Development; (ii) Economic and Social Inclusion (civil society, gender, Roma issues, employment, etc.); and (iii) Environment, energy and climate change;
Substantive experience in conducting evaluations in a development context;
Familiarity with Albania and/or the Balkans region;
Familiarity with EU Accession issues; and
Familiarity with the work of the United Nations and the One UN concept.

Language

Excellent written and spoken English; and
Knowledge of Albanian an advantage.

Candidates of Albanian nationality are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

The following documents should be supplied and uploaded as one document:

A cover letter with a short description of relevant experience;
Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP which includes providing an expected daily rate; and
Personal CV or P11, 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.

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows a maximum upload of one document.