UNDP Jobs - 22704- CONSULTANCY TO DESIGN A POVERTY MONITORING AND EVA

CONSULTANCY TO DESIGN A POVERTY MONITORING AND EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR THE GAMBIA’S PROGRAMME FOR ACCELERATED GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT

Location :

Banjul, GAMBIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

25-Apr-2011

Application Deadline :

17-Apr-11 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 Months

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 Government of The Gambia has long been fully committed to poverty reduction, and achievement of economic growth in order to improve the lives of all Gambians. Towards this end, successive strategies for poverty reduction and achievement of the MDGs have been developed since 1994, and a long term development blue print, called Vision 2020, formulated to transform The Gambia into a middle-income country by the year 2020.

Vision 2020 is being operationalised through a series of medium term strategic plans (PRSPs- Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers) which not only take into account the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but also serve to link the medium-long term development objectives. Already, a second PRSP has been developed and implemented between 2007 and 2011. A mid-term review has been conducted for the PRSP II (2007 - 2011) during 2009. Government has also embarked in the design of a new Program for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE).

The Mandate of coordinating and monitoring growth and poverty-reduction related activities, including keeping track of the implementation of PRSP and PAGE activities, has been delegated to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA). In this regard, MoFEA will design a Monitoring System during the implementation of PAGE.

In light of the above, MoFEA is seeking the services of a Consultant to assist in building a monitoring and evaluation system that would track progress in implementing poverty reduction programs and progress towards achievement of PAGE objectives and development outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the consultancy is to up-date and propose a revised Monitoring System/Framework that takes into account the new context of Poverty Reduction and PAGE. The Consultant will also conduct a capacity assessment for strengthening institutions identified under the new Monitoring System.

Duties and Responsibilities

OUTPUTS

Review the strategic document designed for PRSPII to determine suitability or otherwise for PAGE Implementation.
Revise update and/or propose a monitoring framework, which includes key result areas for PAGE and MDG Reporting.
Conduct a “Capacity Gap Assessment” for MoFEA, GBOS and Line Ministries involved in Monitoring PAGE implementation.
Based on the Capacity Gap Assessment, propose an action plan for implementation of a PAGE M&E strategy.

DELIVERABLES

The deliverables of the consultancy are as follows:

Submission of an up-dated PAGE Monitoring Strategy document.
Capacity Gap Assessment Report with Capacity Development Action Plan for implementation of PAGE and MDG Strategy.

Competencies

Ability to research and analyze national development situation.
Have strong IT skills.
Focuses on impact and result for Government and responds positively to feedback.
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills in English.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree or Social Statistician with MSc in Social Statistics/Masters in Social Science/Development Planning or related field experience

Experience:

5 years experience in quantitative and qualitative aspects of Poverty Monitoring and Analysis either in government, a central statistics office or the UN system is required
Working experience in Poverty Monitoring or participated in development of PMS is an advantage
Have a good background of development planning
Have a general understanding and knowledge of performance indicators and the chain process (input-activity-process–output and outcome indicators), linking targets to outcomes
Practical knowledge of using and designing Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks; Logical Framework, Work Plan, and scheduling of activities, etc.

Language:

Strong oral and written communication skills in English