UNDP Jobs - 22526- Consultant: Call for Applications: Regional Expert

Consultant: Call for Applications: Regional Expert Roster - Consultants for Programme Evaluation and Monitoring

Location :

Home-based with missions in Eastern Europe and CIS region, SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

18-May-11 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Various short-term consultancy assignments

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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been working in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (ECIS) since 1992, and serves over 30 countries and territories in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives.

The Bratislava Regional Centre provides advisory support and knowledge services to UNDP Country Offices in the ECIS region in the areas of Poverty Reduction, Governance, Environment and Energy, Capacity Development, Gender, HIV/AIDS and Crisis Prevention and Recovery. In addition , the centre supports the programme development of these offices at the national level. The UN programming instrument for UN cooperation on development issues in the countries is the UN Common Country Programming Process (CCA/UNDAF) in Europe and the CIS. Based on this UN-level document, UNDP’s programming document (contributing to the UNDAF) is the Country Programme Document and the Country Programme Action Plan. Often-times they are supported by a Country Analysis document. It is essential to ensure that these documents are strategic, measurable, reflect demand and rely on analysis. It is also essential and often required by UNDP’s rules and regulations to conduct formal evaluations of the programmes defined in these documents. .

The Monitoring and Evaluation Expert will assist upon request the UNCTs in the country with the timely evaluation of the programme or certain outcomes of the programme as required in the Evaluation Plan for the UNDP country programme. The Expert must be able to support and contribute with guidance on the evaluation function, in line with corporate UNDP evaluation standards, and hence contribute to key evaluation underpinnings i.e. accountability, organizational learning and management for results.

UNDP is soliciting the submission of CVs (individuals, not firms) to be considered for registration in the Programme Monitoring and Evaluation expert roster of UNDP BRC. The expert roster will consist of highly-qualified and experienced consultants. Only the applicants who pass all screening procedures will be registered for the roster.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Monitoring and Evaluation Expert’s primary tasks include:

Assess and validate the results of the development programmes (national or regional) in terms of achievements/gaps in delivering outputs, contributing to outcomes, reaching target beneficiaries, the factors that affected the results, and the potential for sustainability;
Analyze the effectiveness of the overall strategy and approaches of the programmes, in particular the three-pronged strategy, the multi-sectoral approach, the regional-national linkages, capacity building, partnerships, and knowledge generation and dissemination;
Analyze lessons learned on both substantive and programme management issues
Assist the UNCT in developing results matrices, M&E frameworks and evaluation plans for the UNDAF and/or One UN programmes or similar planning instruments.
Support the UNCT in the implementation and monitoring of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and/or the One UN Programme or similar programming instruments;
Support capacity development of national M&E systems and assess possible ways of facilitating a transition towards the integration of national systems by UNCT;
Assist the RCO as appropriate, to conceptualize and consolidate progress reports, and to support compilation and dissemination of the Annual Reports;
Assist the RCO in commissioning independent evaluations
Provide training as required to UN agencies on Results-based management (RBM) and monitoring & evaluation techniques.

Competencies

Strategic vision, strong technical and analytical capabilities and demonstrated ability to gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour through technical leadership in a broad range of operational areas;
Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, and negotiating skills, and the ability to cope with situations which may pose conflict;
Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Proven ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working relations within the RCO, with persons of different UN Agencies, government counterparts, donors and NGOs;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships;
Strong analytical aptitude and effective interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision;
Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development programs and projects;
Ability to work with small multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams to deliver quality products in high stress, short deadline situations;
Ability and demonstrated capacity to work in rural and remote localities;
Facilitation and training skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in a field relevant for the specialty for example in development studies or related social science fields with experience in Result Based Management and Monitoring and Evaluation

Experience:

Proven experience in the RBEC region
At least 7 years of experience with evaluations and monitoring and/or results-based management
Proven experience in conducting independent project evaluations
Experience in the evaluation of technical assistance projects, if possible with UNDP or other UN development agencies, major donors as well as government.
Good knowledge of UN system, procedures and operational activities for development. Previous experience in UNDAF development is considered as plus;

Language:

Excellent English writing (Russian is an asset and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations in order to screen succinctly and clearly critical issues and draw forward-looking conclusions

Evaluation of Applicants:

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above. Those selected for the next stage of the selection process will participate in an assessment.

UNDP applies the ‘Best value for money’ approach - the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

Contracting Arrangements:

The successful candidates will be included in UNDP’s technical expert roster for the period of 3 years. Entry into the expert roster system does not necessarily mean that contract with UNDP is guaranteed. This will depend on forthcoming needs.

Where a request for services arises, the UNDP unit/office in need of the service shall directly contract the consultant from the roster without the need for further selection process. A specific Term of Reference (ToR) outlining the outputs for each assignment shall be provided and a Individual Contract (IC) will be issued to the consultant, detailing the time frame directly by the contracting unit/office. Conditions of a particular assignment may be negotiable.

Payments:

Payments will be made as specified in the actual contract upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Cover letter stating your interest in and qualifications for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Filled P11 form (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_SC_SSA.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
Financial Proposal – daily fee in USD
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.