Background

• Build consensus around a medium term vision through frequent dialogue among all stakeholders, especially public and private sector representatives, as part of a national strategy and an action plan;
• Promote development of the micro, small, and medium enterprises in all the regions of Angola, based on pilot experiences in one or two provinces;
• Develop local capacity as part of a strategy to promote sustainable institutions, which, through competition and working towards cost recovery, will continue to provide sustainable services to the micro, small, and medium enterprise sector;
• Give priority to women due to their importance in the development of the family, and their prevalence in the micro enterprise sector;
• Make market oriented investments that encourage the most effective use of resources, and strengthen market mechanisms to ensure that future resources will be invested in an efficient manner;
• Work with a venture capital approach based upon pilot projects that will use a variety of diverse mechanisms and institutions to deliver services. Positive results should mobilize resources to expand the successes of the programme over time.

AEP has invested in the following four key areas to achieve these objectives:

1. Improving the enabling environment for small enterprise development;
2. Expanding the supply of micro and small business credit;
3. Introducing pilot models of business development service providers; and
4. Redirecting vocational training towards the market. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Continuing relevance of programme design, objectives, strategies  and implementation arrangements;
• Achievements in order to identify strengths, areas for improvements, and lessons learned;
• Adequacy, timeliness and efficient use of resources/inputs in deploying them to achieve maximum results;
• Impediments to programme implementation and in achieving outputs and outcomes (development changes);
• Recommendations for the design of the phase II.

Consultancy deliverables  (25 working days):

The following tasks will be undertaken by the consultant in order to reach the main objectives of the assignment:

• Briefing - Meeting with the UNDP team to discuss the review exercise, the methodology and approaches to be used;
• Desk study - Review all documentation related to the AEP (project document, work plans and budgets, progress reports, minutes, concept papers etc.);
• Field -  Discussions with the programme partners on the relevance of the project, its design, its operations, management and governance structure, administrative and financial procedures, usefulness, impact, challenges and long-term sustainability;
• Discussions with the relevant project stakeholders on their relationship with the project, on its design, its operations, its management and governance structure, administrative and financial procedures, its usefulness, impact, challenges and long-term sustainability;
• Review of the project management arrangements to assess effectiveness in the implementation of the project;
• Analysis - Preparation by the consultant of preliminary and final reports on the evaluation of the project with conclusions and recommendations. The preliminary report should be submitted to UNDP before departure and the final report three weeks after the mission completion. The final report Executive Summary and Recommendations must be in English.

The consultants will be hired for 25 working days, starting in October 2011. The assignment will require a 10 day stay in Angola, which may include some visits to the provinces.

Competencies

• Strong analytical aptitude and effective interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
• Effective organizational and team work capacities;
• Computer proficiency: MS Office.

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude and consistently approaches work with energy;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Required skills and experience.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in development studies, economic development, management or relevant field.

Experience:

• Proven extensive experience in conducting independent project related evaluations;
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in international development co-operation programmes, economic development and capacity building projects;
• Experience in UNDP programme development and implementation procedures. Strong working knowledge of United Nations, Government, civil society and experience working with local communities;
• Strong reporting and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations in order to screen succinctly and clearly critical issues and draw forward-looking conclusions;
• Working experience in similar context is highly desired.

Language:

• Very good spoken and written English and fluent Portuguese are highly desired.