Background
In 2008, the European Union (EU), the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), and the World Bank (WB) signed a joint declaration to collaborate on enhancing coordination for recovery planning and harmonizing post-disaster needs assessments (PDNA) and recovery frameworks to better support governments and affected populations. In line with the Tripartite agreement, the members developed assessment methodologies for conducting PDNAs and post conflict needs assessments (PCNA). One of the key commitments of the joint declaration is to enhance the capacities of tripartite members and government counterparts on assessment methodologies and recovery planning.
As part of this joint initiative for capacity building, European Union funded a two-year project to develop capacities of tripartite partner agencies, government officials at regional and national level. The project titled “PDNA Rollout Project in Disaster Prone Countries” had a budget of EUR 1.4 million. UNDP co-funded the project with EUR 933,000 The project was implemented from November 2012 to April 2016 with the support of UNICEF, UNEP, UN Women, UN Habitat, UNESCO, ILO, WHO, FAO, the European Union and the World Bank and under the oversight of a Project Steering committee represented by EU, World Bank and UNDP.
The overall objective of the project was to enhance capacities of National Governments, UNCTs, UN regional centres, Regional Intergovernmental organizations, relevant EU and World Bank officials to conduct joint needs assessment to internationally accepted standards. The project had four main outputs: 1) the development of common training materials for PDNA, 2) the enhancement of regional and in-country capacities for PDNA, 3) the establishment of a roster of experts to conduct PDNAs, and 4) the design of a communications strategy to inform and promote PDNA approach and methodology.
Objectives of the assignment
The objective of the End of project evaluation is to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the project in achieving the planned results. The outcome of this evaluation will inform future joint capacity building initiatives undertaken by the Tripartite partners.
The specific objectives of the project evaluation are as follows:
- To assess the relevance, impact, effectiveness and sustainability of the capacity building initiatives in enabling National Governments to conduct PDNAs,
- To review and verify the results and accomplishments of the project against the planned outcome and outputs of the project,
- To assess the cost effectiveness and efficiency in use of the financial, technical and human resources utilized by the project,
- To assess how the project has strengthened partnership between the Tripartite entities including UN agencies and facilitated greater collaboration for joint activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of work /Duties and Responsibilities
Working under the direct supervision of the UNDP Recovery Advisor of Climate Change and Disaster Team, the Consultant will do the following:
- Assess the relevance and availability of a PDNA training package including the training guide and tools developed for the training. Evaluate its applicability and usefulness of the referred documents for purpose of training the clients targeted by the project which include regional intergovernmental organizations, national government officials, EU, WB and UN Agencies.
- Evaluate the capacity building strategy put in place to enhance global, regional and country capabilities for the PDNA. Review training reports and on the basis of it verify number of trainings conducted, profile of participants and provide a breakdown of number of persons trained by their profession, and quality of the trainings conducted based on the evaluations provided by participants.
- Evaluate if the capacity development of Regional Intergovernmental Organizations (RIOs) is enough for them to support future PDNAs. If not, then what are the recommendations for enabling RIO’s to take a larger role in the PDNAs.
- Review the list of trainees and roster of PDNA experts added to UNDP and deployment of trainees and experts for conducting PDNA trainings and PDNA assessments. Assess whether/how the trainees have applied the tools and methodologies in trainings and when taking part in PDNAs. Assess the deployment of consultants for conducting PDNAs. Segregate/Classify the roster by language, region and provide recommendation on which areas/languages to focus for future trainings.
- Review the communications products developed by the project and assess its relevance in creating awareness about PDNA, the capacity building initiatives and its alignment with the EU guidelines for communication and visibility.
- Assess the effectiveness of the management arrangements and coordination among the partners in the implementation of the project.
Key Deliverables & Indicative Timelines
- An evaluation report on the achievements, impacts and key lessons learnt from the PDNA rollout project including information outlined above with a set of recommendations (specific recommendation on how universities and/or private sector may be involved to develop sustainable PDNA capacity.) for sustaining capacities in PDNA and informing future capacity building initiatives.
Schedule of Activities
- A one-page note on the methodology and timeline for the various consultations for conducting the review (to be submitted within the first week of starting assignment),
- Review of the project document, as well as progress reports of the PDNA roll out project and other relevant documents (1 week),
- Meetings and consultations with partners including national government counterparts (2 weeks),
- Report writing and final consultations (1 week) .
Competencies
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
- Excellent communications and networking skills,
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team,
- Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills,
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability,
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Functional Competencies
- Communicates effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience in a simple and concise manner,
- Has demonstrable knowledge of the concept and practice of Post Disaster Needs Assessments Strong understanding of the role of Governments and international organizations in post disaster recovery,
- Has conducted evaluations of the multilateral funded projects and programmes.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
- Master’s degree in management, disaster risk reduction; climate change, communications, journalism, information management or other related field.
Experience
- At least 5 years of substantive experience in capacity building and training with some experience in working on post-disaster issues and conducting assessments,
- At least 5 years’ experience in the conducting evaluations of multi stakeholder supported programmes,
- Strong experience in leading and coordinating discussions and consultations with a range of stakeholders, both national governments, multi-lateral and bilateral agencies,
- Previous work experience with UN agencies, European Union or World Bank and familiarity with processes of Tripartite Partners.
Languages
- English is the working language for this assignment; therefore, excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills in English are required.
- Knowledge of Spanish and/or French is desirable.
Institutional Arrangements
- The Consultant will be home-based. He/she will travel as required. He/she will report directly to the UNDP Recovery Advisor of the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Team of UNDP,
- The Consultant will work closely with a PDNA project review group represented by the Steering committee of the project,
- The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment,
- The Consultant will use his/her own laptop access to communication facilities and the Internet.
Payments will be made upon submission of a detailed time sheet and proof of payment, approved by the UNDP Recovery Advisor based on days worked and outputs delivered.
Terms of contract
Payment: Payments will be made based on the agreed upon daily rate of professional fee and released upon submission of a certificate of payment, indicating outputs/deliverables achieved and days worked to be verified and cleared for payment by the supervisor.
Travel
- The Consultants will be required to travel to Washington DC (One day), New York (1 week scheduled at the beginning and end of the consultancy), Brussels (3days), Geneva (2 days) and other locations if required. Travel dates are during 1st July to 15Th July. Actual travel dates will be decided in consultation with partners.
- The Consultant will be required to organize consultations with the EU, WB and UNDG members in DC, Brussels or Geneva or organize skype calls and meetings in countries with National Government partners.
Costs for the following missions travel should be included in the financial proposal.
- Washington DC, USA from [28 Jun 2016] to 28 Jun 2016] (I day trip)
- New York, USA from [29 Jun 2016] to [8 Jul 2016] 1 week
- Brussels, Belgium from [11 July 2016 ] to [13 July 2016] 3 days
- Geneva, Switzerland from [14July 2016] to [18 July 2016] 2 days
The consultant is expected to arrange her/his own travel and be responsible for ticketing, visa and accommodation. The fare will always be “most direct, most economical, refundable and changeable” at no additional cost to UNDP, even if the dates of mission will need to be changed. Any difference in price with the preferred route will be paid for by the consultant.
Application Procedures (Instructions to Applicants)
The submission of application is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications:
Step 1: Submission of Technical Proposals:
Submit the application within the deadline using the UNDP Job Shop, keeping in mind that proposals received after the deadline will be rejected. Include the following documents:
- CV or Personal History Form (P11), indicating all relevant experience, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references. The P11 template can be downloaded from this link: http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc .
- Brief description of 500 words why the consultant considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment with a note on the methodology for conducting the project evaluation.
- Share reports of reviews/evaluations done of similar type of projects (in a form of a link to internet or email attachment together with financial proposals).
Notes:
a) Only 1 (one) file can be uploaded; therefore please include all documents in one file;
b) A completed P11 Form will be required at the time a selected applicant signs an Individual Contract (IC) or his/her employer, if employed, signs a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) for work associated with this assignment
Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposals
Applicants must submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to bpps.procurement@undp.org , with the following subject heading: “Job-ID XXXXX: Financial Proposal for the Consultancy to conduct End of Project Evaluation for review of the Post Disaster Needs Assessment Process-IRP" by the deadline for this vacancy.
The financial proposal template is available here:
http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780
The financial proposal should be "all-inclusive" and include a detailed breakdown. The “all inclusive” costs implies that all costs such as professional fees, travel related expenses, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc that could possibly be incurred by the Consultants are already factored into the financial proposal. The costs of the assignment should be linked to the deliverables specified and reflected above.
Criteria for the Selection of the Best Offer:
Only those applicants who meet the minimum level of education, relevant years of experience requirements and provide sound methodology for the assignment will be considered for the technical evaluation. The technical evaluation will include a desk review, and may also include interviews with shortlisted applicants.
Candidates will be compared using a combined scoring method with the qualifications weighted at 70% and the price offer weighted at 30%. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 (70%) points on the technical qualifications part will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Criteria for evaluation of qualifications (70 points maximum):
- Relevance of education to the consultancy (Max: 10 points)
- Number of years of professional experience in the field (Max: 10 points);
- Knowledge of post disaster needs assessment concepts and practice (Max 20 points)
- Written note presented by the consultant on experience and methodology for conducting the review. (max 15 points)
- Copies of reports /reviews and evaluations conducted by the consultants (Max 15 points)
Criteria for financial evaluation (30 points maximum):
The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (µ/z),
- Where p=points for the financial proposal being evaluated,
- y=maximum number of points for the financial proposal,
- µ=price of the lowest priced proposal,
- z = price of the proposal being evaluated.
References
UNDP’s Individual Consultant’s General Terms and Conditions are provided here: