UNDP Jobs - 61783- Consultant

Consultant - MDG Evaluator

Location :

Apia, SAMOA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

11-Jan-2016

Application Deadline :

27-Nov-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

15 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

15 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

This is the Terms of Reference for the Terminal Evaluation of the project titled Samoa MDGs Acceleration Initiative, implemented through the partnership between the Government of Samoa and UNDP MCO Samoa as a 100% support to NIM project.

In anticipation of Samoa’s transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) to Middle Income Country (MIC) status by January 2014 and the need therefore to identify and cultivate new streams of national revenue collection and pathways towards achieving MDGs, the Samoa MDGs Acceleration Initiative aimed to develop a holistic framework of strategic initiatives for the acceleration of MDGs achievement in Samoa through the following areas:

(1) Pro-poor policy advisory services;
(2) Trade policy development and implementation; and
(3) Increasing Parliamentarians focus on MDGs achievement.

These initiatives were rolled out in two phases: phase one, focusing on output 1 on the transition to MIC status, and phase two, covering output 2 which focuses on MDGs achievement, reporting and capacity development, the latter focusing on strengthening the oversight role of Parliamentarians for the achievement of each of the MDGs; gender equality; youth development; and other pertinent initiatives that emanated from the impact of the foregoing work.

The project fostered the participation of relevant UN Specialized Agencies such as ILO and ESCAP in order to bring the UN’s normative standards to bear on the various initiatives. The full MDGs Acceleration Initiative targeted macro policy levels whilst drawing on the positive lessons learned from existing projects and programmes at the community levels and global best practices, the latter being accessed from and through UNDP Regional Centres and Knowledge Networks, Solutions Exchange, etc. The overall objective was to avail the Government of Samoa with a full range of strategic and evidence-based policy options that have been successfully trialed worldwide that would enable the Government to direct its development resources where the greatest impact would be felt in reducing poverty and climate change and natural disasters. The project fits within the CPAP for Samoa, 2008-2012 and responds to the government’s request under UNDAF outcome 1: “Pro-poor national development plans and strategies developed and aligned with the MDGs” through its two strategic outputs that consolidate all MCO initiatives for poverty reduction and MDGs achievement.’’

The project duration: April 2011 to December 2015. The resources allocated to Phase 1: US$ 535,623, and US$ 109,368 to Phase 2; from a total budget of US$ 644,991.

According to the 2015 Evaluation Plan of the UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Samoa, a Final Evaluation of the MDGs Acceleration Initiative project is to be conducted in the first quarter of 2016 to determine how effective its programmatic elements have been in achieving real development changes.

Duties and Responsibilities

One independent consultant will do the evaluation.

The FE consultant will first conduct a document review of project documents (i.e., Project Document, APRs, etc.) provided by the Project Team and the UNDP Samoa MCO.

The FE consultant will assess the following four categories of project progress and produce a draft and final FE report. An overall rating will be required.

Project Strategy

Project Design:

Review the problem addressed by the project and the underlying assumptions;
Review the effect of any incorrect assumptions or changes to the context to achieving the project results as outlined in the Project Document;
Review the relevance of the project strategy and assess whether it provides the most effective route towards expected/intended results;
Review how the project addresses country priorities;
Review decision-making processes.

Results Framework/Logframe:

Examine if progress so far has led to, or could in the future catalyse beneficial development effects (i.e. Income generation, gender equality and women's empowerment, improved governance etc...}, that should be included in the project results framework and monitored on an annual basis.

Progress Towards Results:

Review the logframe indicators against progress made towards the end-of-project targets; populate the Progress Towards Results Matrix, colour code progress in a "traffic light system" based on the level of progress achieved; assign a rating on progress for the project objective and each outcome; make recommendations from the areas marked as "not on target to be achieved" (red};
Identify remaining barriers to achieving the project objective.

By reviewing the aspects of the project that have already been successful, identify ways in which the project can.

Competencies

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Demonstrates commitment to UNDP mission, vision and values;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A master's degree or higher level of relevant academic training, extensive hands on experience on evaluation and management of complex programms in the relevant field.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years experience in relevant field of work;
Experience in leading multi-disciplinary and multi-national teams to deliver quality products in high stress an short deadline situations;
A demonstrated capcity for strategic thinking, and a good knowledge of transitioning economies;
Knowledge of results-oriented evaluation principles and methodology;
Highly knowledgeable of participarty monitoring and evaluation processes;
Be familiar with UNDP operations and knowledge of relevant UNDP policies.

Language:

Fluency in English (oral and written) is a requirement.

Please visit the procurement website to download copy of the TOR and relevant templates to assist with your proposal: http://procurement-notices.undp.org