UNDP Jobs - 58247- International Consultant

International Consultant - Midterm Reveiw

Location :

Amman, JORDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

06-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

16-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

10 working days

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

10 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

The UNDP SECJ project, primarily funded by the European Union (EU), consists of technical and material electoral assistance. The programme is designed to enhance the institutional and professional capacities of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which was established in 2012. The IEC has led election management responsibilities for the 2013 parliamentary elections, and will oversee parliamentary and municipal elections that are expected in 2016-2017.

The objective is to assist the IEC to deliver its mandated functions of conducting credible and transparent elections and consolidate itself as a permanent, professional, credible and independent institution of governance, with the benefits of its work enjoyed equally by men and women.

The project activities fall within the following areas:

(i) Institutional development;
(ii) External relations;
(iii) Voter registration management;
(iv) Election operations;
(v) Election dispute resolution;
(vi) Political parties:
(vii) Specialized advice on electoral reforms.

The SECJ project is due to end in March 2016 but may be extended subject to approval.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives:

Conduct analysis of project implementation to date in order to generate feedback on project approach and performance;
Outline project achievements and challenges to date;
Inform future project activities, interventions and approach to improve effectiveness and sustainability of electoral assistance through UNDP’s SECJ project in Jordan.

Scope of Work

The overall project midterm review should seek to evaluate SECJ’s alignment and implementation at the general level (including against UNDP’s electoral cycle approach and 2012 Evaluation of UNDP Contribution to Strengthening Electoral Systems and Processes recommendations) and more specifically at the project level (against SECJ project document and IEC needs).

Institutionally UNDP in its electoral programming applies the electoral cycle approach as its policy context. The electoral cycle approach focuses on creating an inclusive and participatory electoral process and a professional electoral administration to enhance the credibility of the process and trust in electoral results. Taking a longer-term development view, the electoral cycle approach seeks to increase national ownership and build capacity of national institutions and processes.

More broadly the midterm review should be aligned with the principles established in UNDP’s Evaluation Policy http://web.undp.org/evaluation/ and the principles outlined in the UNEG ‘Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation” http://www.unevaluation.org/document/detail/102.

During the implementation of the contract, the consultant will report to the UNDP Programme Manager, who will provide guidance and ensure satisfactory completion of Midterm Review deliverables. There will be close coordination with the SECJ Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and project team who will assist in connecting the consultant with senior management, development partners, beneficiaries and key stakeholders. In addition, the CTA will provide key project documentation prior to fieldwork, and SECJ project staff will assist in developing a detailed programme to facilitate consultations as necessary. UNDP will provide office space and access to standard office services as needed. However, the consultant is responsible for providing their own computer and communications equipment.

The UNDP M&E Handbook http://web.undp.org/evaluation/guidance.shtml#handbook is another useful reference to UNDP’s evaluation principles.

Expected deliverables:

Review project and other relevant documentation, and finalize a methodology to conduct the Mid Term Review. Design stakeholder surveys/questionnaires for meetings;
Conduct stakeholder consultations. Analysis of stakeholder survey/questionnaire/consultation inputs. Preparations of a draft Mid Term Review report, inclusive of identifications on some programming lessons learnt and proposed forward looking approaches and options;
Presentation of the final report for consideration and review. Incorporation of comments received on the draft MTR report. Revision, incorporation of comments and finalisation of the Midterm Review Report.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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;
Familiarity with UNDP’s approach to local governance;
Effective communication skills and ability to establish good working relationships with national and local authorities, and international interlocutors;
Innovative, solution oriented, and a positive attitude required;
Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
Knowledge of result-based management evaluation methodologies;
Demonstrated strong experience in project design, project management and implementation;
Strong communication skills including the ability to write, review, edit reports as well as the conduct meetings with stakeholders;
Demonstrate neutrality and impartiality in relation to the electoral environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A university degree in political science, statistics, social sciences or other related field, plus a minimum of seven years professional experience in results based management, project management and monitoring and evaluation.

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years of evaluation-related professional experience;
Experience in participatory evaluations of electoral assistance required, with experience in the Arab States preferred;
Project evaluation experience within the United Nations system and/or EU-funded projects will be considered an asset.

Language:

Fluency in spoken and written English mandatory;
Arabic language skills considered a strong asset.

Interested persons are invited submit the following documents/information to be considered:

Offeror’s letter, as per the attached form;
Personal History Form (P-11) as per attached form, including names/contacts of 3 references.

Midterm Review proposal:

Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
Providing a brief methodology (not more than 3 pages) on how they would approach and conduct the work;
Financial proposal in accordance with the attached schedule.

Note:

If you are unable to access the P11 please contact randa.taweel @undp.org