UNDP Jobs - 19513- Mid-Term/Outcome Evaluation of Public Accountabili

Mid-Term/Outcome Evaluation of Public Accountability Programmes

Location :

Abuja, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2010

Application Deadline :

23-Oct-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 Weeks

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

4 Weeks

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

In response to the malaise of corruption and in its quest for effective governance and economic development, the Federal Government of Nigeria embarked upon far reaching institutional, legal and regulatory reforms between 2003 and 2007 to combat corruption and entrench public accountability. The Federal Government enacted the EFCC Act and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act setting up the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The reforms also saw to the establishment of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Other anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) include the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Public Complaints Commission, the Nigerian Police amongst others. The enactment of the Public Procurement Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act in 2007 marked a watershed in the quest to enthrone public accountability in governance in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s anti-corruption and procurement oversight institutions are in need of institutional and technical support to achieve their mandates. At state levels, these supports include the adoption and enactment of the above legislations such as the Public Procurement and Fiscal Responsibility Laws which would crystallise the reforms. It also stretches to supporting capacity building and the setting up of administrative systems for regulating public procurement and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

Duties and Responsibilities

PURPOSE, USE AND USERS OF THE EVALUATION:

The purpose of the evaluation is to assess progress with implementation of programme components and achievement of the outcomes on public accountability in-order to draw lessons that will enable the UNDP and its partners (the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Commission (ICPC), Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Due Process Offices across the states and civil society) to make necessary mid-course adjustments.

OBJECTIVES OF THE EVALUATION:

The main objective of the evaluation is to conduct a mid-term/outcome evaluation to assess programme implementation in the first half of the programme and chart a way forward for the remaining period of the Country Programme Action Plan. The evaluation will specifically address the following key issues:

Whether UNDP and partners in Nigeria were able to leverage funding at the highest strategic upstream levels;
Whether the institutional arrangements foster national ownership and sustainability? In other words has the project created conditions for sustainability beyond UNDP interventions?
Assess the Programme’s partnership with the government bodies, civil society and private sector, international organizations in Programme implementation and comment on its sustainability;
Much closer cooperation with UNODC has been agreed upon in principle but needs to be assess if that has been operationalized, and if not how we can strengthen partnership in this area.
Assess the relevance and effectiveness of the tools and mechanisms applied by UNDP and its public accountability partners in anti-corruption and public procurement reforms in attaining strategic goals;
Assess impact of the UNDP response on public accountability in line with the capacities of Nigerian institutions (EFCC, ICPC, BPP, and CSOs) to develop, plan, implement and evaluate integrated responses to corruption in Nigeria within a human rights and gender perspectives.
Identify gaps/weaknesses in the current Programme design and provide recommendations for the refocusing of the national and state components of the current programme cycle

SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION:

The evaluation team will have to review and assess the progress of the public accountability outcomes during the 2009-2010 taking into consideration UNDP’s contribution to:

Policy analysis, formulation and implementation;
Capacity building for sustainable human development;
Resource mobilization and coordination;
Planning, monitoring and evaluation practices.

METHODOLOGY:

The evaluators are expected to apply the following approaches for data collection and analysis:

Desk Review
Structured interviews with principal partners and stakeholders
Field Visits to States:
Where appropriate a Stakeholders workshop

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES:

The consultant is expected to produce interim and final reports of the evaluation which highlights the findings, recommendations and lessons learnt, and give a rating of performance. This report should follow the Outcome Evaluation Report Template and include all sections recommended therein (see attached template).

COMPOSITION OF THE EVALUATION TEAM:

In line with UNDP programme requirements, a team comprised of two-experienced International and National Experts with in-depth knowledge of anti-corruption programming as well as fiscal responsibility and public procurement reforms will be required to undertake the exercise. Donors active in the sector will be welcomed to join the mission by consultants/staff selected by them. The composition of the team should be gender sensitive. The selected consultants are also expected to be independent and should have no prior involvement in any of the programmes.

International Expert (Team Leader)

The international consultant should have an advanced university degree in Law or Social sciences and at least 10 years of work experience in anti-corruption programming, institutional and regulatory reforms with special focus on public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws, managing capacity building programs for public institutions and engagement with civil society. Extensive knowledge about results-based management (especially results-oriented monitoring and evaluation) will be an additional advantage. S/he must be fluent in speaking and writing English.

The team leader will perform the following tasks:

Lead and manage the evaluation mission;
Design the detailed evaluation scope and methodology (including the methods for data collection and analysis) for the report;
Decide the division of labor within the evaluation team;
Draft related parts of the evaluation reports; and
Finalize the whole evaluation report.

Competencies

Consultant’s Competencies

Advanced University degree in one or more of the following areas: political science, demography, economics, social sciences, public health, law
At least 15 years experience in development programming
Expert knowledge of and working familiarity with results-based management, human rights based and gender mainstreaming approaches.
Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodology
All-round understanding of the UN’s mandate and modus operandi
Excellent facilitation, communication and writing skills in English
Ability to work in a team and deliver results

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree in one or more of the following areas: political science, demography, economics, social sciences, public health, law

Experience

At least 15 years experience in development programming
Expert knowledge of and working familiarity with results-based management, human rights based and gender mainstreaming approaches.
Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodology
All-round understanding of the UN’s mandate and modus operandi

Language Requirements:

Excellent facilitation, communication and writing skills in English