UNDP Jobs - 16851- International Consultant (team leader): UNDP/GEF-L

International Consultant (team leader): UNDP/GEF-LDCF Mid-Term Review

Location :

Thimphu, BHUTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

30-Jun-2010

Application Deadline :

31-May-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 days country mission

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 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 most significant climate change impact in Bhutan is the formation of supra-glacial lakes due to the accelerated retreat of glaciers with increasing temperatures. The risk of potential costly economic damages on key development sectors such as agriculture, hydropower, and forestry by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) is mounting. Climate change is attributed as the primary reason that water levels in glacial lakes approach dangerous thresholds. This poses a new dimension to the existing range of threats to lives, livelihoods, and development.

Linked to these concerns, the ‘Reducing Climate Change-induced Risks and Vulnerabilities from

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in the Punakha-Wangdi and Chamkhar Valleys’ was set up in order to reduce climate change-induced Glacial Lake Outburst Flooding (GLOF) risk. The project is anticipated to contribute to risk reduction, improved safety and increased awareness in the involved districts through three components covering practical measures to reduce climate change-induced GLOF risks from the potentially dangerous Thorthormi glacier lake, expansion of early warning mechanisms in the Punakha-Wangdi Valley and systematization and long-term planning of Bhutan’s legal framework and awareness on disaster risk management.

The objective of the project is to integrate climate risk projections into existing disaster risk management practices and implement corresponding capacity development measures. The objective aims to demonstrate and facilitate replication of the respective lessons learned in other high-risk GLOF areas, both within and outside Bhutan. Sustainability of the resulting benefits will be assured through institutional and policy improvements and adaptive learning, dissemination and awareness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project objectives and expected outputs:

The long-term objective of the project is to enhance adaptive capacity to prevent climate change-induced Glacial Lake Outburst (GLOF) disasters in Bhutan.

In order to achieve this objective the project will improve national, regional, and local capacities to prevent climate change-induced GLOF disasters in the Punakha-Wangdi and Chamkhar Valleys, reduce risks of GLOF from Thorthormi Lake through an artificial lake level management system and reduce human and material losses in vulnerable communities in the Punakha-Wangdi Valley through installation of a GLOF early warning system.

Mid-Term Review objectives:

The purpose of Mid-Term Review is to examine the performance of the project since the beginning of its implementation. The review will include both the evaluation of the progress in project implementation, measured against planned outputs set forth in the Project Document in accordance with rational budget allocation and the assessment of features related to the process involved in achieving those outputs, as well as the initial and potential impacts of the project. The review will also address underlying causes and issues contribution to targets not adequately achieved.

The Mid-Term Review is intended to identify weaknesses and strengths of the project design and to come with recommendations for any necessary changes in the overall design and orientation of the project by evaluating the adequacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of its implementation, as well as assessing the project outputs and outcomes to date. Consequently, the review mission is also expected to make detailed recommendations on the work plan for the remaining project period. It will also provide an opportunity to assess early signs of the project success or failure and prompt necessary adjustments.

The review mission will also identify lessons learnt and best practices from the project which could be applied to future and other on-going projects.

Scope of the Mid-Term Review:

The scope of the Mid-Term Review will cover all activities undertaken in the framework of the project. The evaluators will compare planned outputs of the project to actual outputs and assess the actual results to determine their contribution to the attainment of the project objectives. The evaluation will diagnose problems and suggest any necessary corrections and adjustments. It will evaluate the efficiency of project management, including the delivery of outputs and activities in terms of quality, quantity, timeliness and cost efficiency. The evaluation will also determine the likely outcomes and impact of the project in relation to the specified goals and objectives of the project.

The evaluation will comprise the following elements:

Assess whether the project design is clear, logical and commensurate with time and resources available;
A summary evaluation of the project and all its major components undertaken to date and a determination of progress towards achievement of its overall objectives;
An evaluation of project performance in relation to the indicators, assumptions and risks specified in the logical framework matrix and the project document
An assessment of the scope, quality and significance of the projects outputs produced to date in relation to expected results;
An analysis of the extent of the extent of cooperation on engendered and synergy created by the project in each of its component activities;
An assessment of the functionality of the institutional structure established and the role of the Project Board, the Technical Support and Advisory Team and working groups;
Identification and, to the extent possible, quantification of any additional outputs and outcomes beyond those specified in the project document;
Identification of any programmatic and financial variance and/or adjustments made during the first two years of the project and an assessment of theirs conformity with decisions of the Project Board and their appropriateness in terms of overall objectives of the project;
An evaluation of project coordination, management and administration provided by the PMO. This evaluation should include specific reference to:
Organizational/institutional arrangements for collaboration among the various agencies and institutions involved in project arrangements and execution;
The effectiveness of the monitoring mechanisms currently employed by the project managers in monitoring on a day to day basis the progress in project execution;
Administrative, operational and/or technical problems and constraints that influenced the effective implementation of the project and present recommendations for any necessary operational changes; and
Financial management of the project, including the balance between expenditures on administrative and overhead charges in relation to those on the achievement of substantive outputs.
A qualified assessment of the extent to which project outputs to data have scientific credibility;
An assessment of the extent to which scientific and technical information and knowledge have influenced the execution of the project activities;
A prognosis of the degree to which the overall objectives and expected outcomes of the project are likely to be met;
Lessons learned during project implementation;
Recommendations regarding any necessary corrections and adjustments to the overall project workplan and timetable for the purposes of enhancing the achievement of project objectives and outcomes.

Review methodology:

The Mid-Term Review will be conducted in a participatory manner working on the basis that its essential objective is to assess the project implementation and impacts in order to provide basis for improvement in the implementation and other decisions.

The mission will start with a desk review of project documentation and also take the following process:

Desk review of project document, outputs, monitoring reports 9such as Project Inception Report, Minutes of Project Board and Technical Support and Advisory Team meetings, Project Implementation Report, Quarterly Progress Reports, mission reports and other internal documents including financial reports and relevant correspondence);
Review of specific products including datasets, management and action plans, publications, audiovisual materials, other materials and reports;
Interviews with the Project Managers and other project staff; and
Consultations and/or interviews with relevant stakeholders involved, including governments representatives, local communities, NGO’s, private sector, donors, other UN agencies and organizations.

Review team:

Two consultants with the following qualifications shall be engaged to undertake the evaluation working concurrently according to the planned schedule. The international consultant, who will have in depth understanding of UNDP and GEF projects including evaluation experience, will be designated as the team leader and will have the overall responsibility of organizing and completing the review, and submitting the final report. The national consultant will provide supportive roles both in terms of professional back up, translation and conduct of local meetings.

The collection of documents is to be done by National Consultant prior to commencing the work. The International Consultant has the overall responsibility for completing the desk review prior to the country mission to Bhutan, and for submitting the final report following the country mission. The consultants will sign an agreement with UNDP Bhutan and will be bound by its terms and conditions set in the agreement.

Competencies

Demonstrate ability to assess complex situations, succinctly distills critical issues, and draw forward-looking conclusions and recommendations;
Highly knowledgeable of participatory monitoring and evaluation processes, and experience in evaluation of technical assistance projects with major donor agencies;
Ability and experience to lead multi disciplinary and national teams, and deliver quality reports within the given time;
Familiarity with the challenges developing countries face in adapting to climate change;
Familiarity with Bhutan or similar countries; and
Excellent in human relations, coordination, planning and team work.

Required Skills and Experience

International/regional consultant with academic and professional background in fields related to Climate Change Adaptation/Disaster Management.
A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience is required;
Substantive experience in reviewing and evaluating similar projects, preferably those involving UNDP/GEF or other United Nations development agencies or major donors;
Excellent English writing and communication skills. The consultant must bring his/her own computing equipment;
Demonstrate ability to assess complex situations, succinctly distills critical issues, and draw forward-looking conclusions and recommendations;
Highly knowledgeable of participatory monitoring and evaluation processes, and experience in evaluation of technical assistance projects with major donor agencies;
Ability and experience to lead multi disciplinary and national teams, and deliver quality reports within the given time;
Familiarity with the challenges developing countries face in adapting to climate change;
Familiarity with Bhutan or similar countries; and
Excellent in human relations, coordination, planning and team work.

Please note that P11 form is mandatory. Detailed TOR and P11 can be downloaded from http://www.undp.org.bt/jobs.htm.