Background

In line with the Project Document and the Framework document of the three year AU-UNDP Project, a mid-term review of the Project needs to be carried out to assess the impact of the support provided under the Project to the Peace and Security Department of AU in addressing the capacity problems of the institution in dealing with peace and security issues on the continent.

I.    Project Description:

The African Union’s (AU) Strategic Plan (2009 to 2012) which gives prominence to peace, security and stability in Africa, also reaffirms the organization’s resolve to improve its capacity for planning, management, reconstruction and recovery. The AU’s Peace and Security Department (PSD) is mandated to facilitate and ensure more effective and efficient cooperation and coordination of initiatives within the continent, including the African Regional Conflict Resolution Mechanisms of the Regional Economic Communities as well as to respond appropriately to international initiatives through the preparation and implementation of a common defence policy for Africa. However with the ever-increasing volume and complexity of crises, AU’s capacity to forecast, counsel, deploy and manage scarce resources in maintaining peace, security and stability in Africa as well as responding to humanitarian situations is severely challenged. It is in this regard that this project provides support to PSD to enable it play its central role in conflict prevention, provision of security and peace building in Africa more effectively.

II.   Project Outcomes:

In fulfilment of the Department’s Strategic Plan, this project is intended to continue to provide adequate support to the AUC’s PSD to further build its capacities for effective performance in core functions as well as for strategy formulation, programming and coordination, but with renewed emphasis on sustainability and closer coordination with other partner initiatives. This requires strengthening the operational capacity of the PSD to perform core administrative and financial functions; enhancing project governance, advisory and control; reinforcing capacity to perform core program management tasks; enhancing coordination and communication. Furthermore, a Monitoring and Evaluation framework shall be inbuilt to safeguard the governance part of the project.

The principal expected output of the project was more effective operation of the AU peace and security framework at all levels. The direct and immediate beneficiaries of the project are members of the PSC and related institutions and the PSD. Others who will benefit directly from it include the regional security mechanisms; research institutions and civil society. Indirect beneficiaries include all AU member states.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review progress towards achievements of programme results and impact of support to the AUC in addressing capacity constraints to deal with peace and security issues.
• Examine the implications of the changing programme environment and its implication for the attainment of overall objectives of the programme. 
•  Assessment of the management of the project and whether it has contributed to meeting its intended objectives and targets. 
•  Evaluation of the strategy underlying the design of the project and the extent to which it was effective in facilitating quality delivery of the programme objectives. 
•  Assess activities and challenges faced by the programme and make recommendations on how the project can be implemented more effectively during the second half of the programme.
• Evaluate partnerships and performance of the project in mobilizing resources.
• Identify significant lessons learnt from the experience susceptible to improve future development of capacity building for peace initiatives in Africa.
• Assess harmonisation and coordination with other programmes.

6. Consultancy Activities

An independent consultant will undertake the evaluation. The Consultant shall undertake the following activities related to their mission:

• Background study on the project,

• Design of mid-term review methodology and tools.

• Consultations with AU Commission including the Commissioner for Peace and Security, The Director of the Peace and Security Directorate, Heads of Division of the PSD and the Offices of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission on the management of the project, its achievements and shortcomings.

• Consultations with the Representative of UNDP to the AU Commission.

• Consultation with selected African Ambassadors accredited to the AU Commission.

• Consultations with the representatives of European Commission (EC), Germany, Sweden, Canada, Spain, UK, Norway and Netherlands in Addis Ababa.

•   Consultation with the project management and staff of the PSD.

•  Consultation with RBA in New York,

•  Preparation and presentation of the report to RBA

Evaluation Output

The Consultant is expected to produce a report containing a mid-term review of the project activities (design, formulation, execution, management.) and recommendations for the future based on the relevance, performance and achievements of the project. The report will also indicate the methodology used for the mid- term review - for example desk review, questionnaire, and interviews and field consultations.

The Consultant will present its preliminary conclusions to the AU and UNDP as well as other Stakeholders before departing from Addis Ababa. He/she will endeavour to reflect the observations/feedback to be received in the Final Report which will be presented to UNDP-Africa- and in turn distributed to the relevant Stakeholders.

The project management in Addis Ababa will furnish to the Consultant with the following base resources documents:

·         Project Document

·         Annual work plans and reports to the project Steering Committee

·         The AU Peace and Security Agenda Programme document

·         The Protocol on the establishment of the AU Peace and Security Council

·         The Constitutive Act of the African Union

·         Any other relevant documentation.

10. Duration and Schedule

The mission is scheduled to take place from 1-31 October 2011- inclusive of report writing time. The schedule will include:

• Briefing by the Project Manager and the UNDP Representative to the AU-Addis Ababa

• Consultations with AU and Partners in Addis Ababa.
  •  Formulation and presentation of preliminary findings to AU and Partners, debriefing by the UNDP Representative to AU.
  • Preparation and presentation of the final evaluation report to UNDP.
    • The mid-term review will be funded from the project resources.
       
      11. Logistical Arrangements for the Evaluation
       
      • The AU will designate its focal points and provide any logistical and administrative support that may be needed for the success of the review.
      • UNDP will be responsible for contracting, travel arrangements and payment of DSA and other relevant fees due to the Consultant.
      • UNDP will bear the primary responsibility of organizing and managing the review process.
        
      • The Project Manager of the Project will brief and debrief the Consultant and provide the Consultant with any pertinent information that would assist its work. The Project Manager to the African Union will facilitate the work of the Consultant on the ground. He will liaise with AU and the other partners to ensure the smooth execution of the mission 
      DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL
      
      
      

      Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

      1. Proposal: (not more than 450 words)
      (i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work

      (ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable)

      2. Financial proposal: indicate lump sum which will be paid with prorate of deliverables

      3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

      EVALUATION
      
      

      Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

      Cumulative analysis

      The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

      a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

      b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

      * Technical Criteria weight; 70%

      * Financial Criteria weight; 30%

      Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 point and above would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

      Criteria	Weight	Max. Point
      Technical  (based on CV, Proposal and Interview)
      Minimum educational background and work experience (CV)	10%	10
      Understanding of scope of work and methodology (From Proposal)	20%	20
      Individual Competencies (Desk review and/or Interview)	40%	40
      Financial	30%	30

       

      
      

Competencies

• Professional experience in project design, implementation and evaluation
• Project evaluation experience related to the issue of peace and security and governance programmes desirable.
• Project evaluation experience in Africa

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree in political sciences, law, and development studies, sociology, philosophy or other relevant study.

  Experience:

  • Experience with UNDP regional programmes preferable.

  Language:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English.

  Application Information:

  Proposal should be submitted at the following address:- on our secured email procurement.et@undp.org; or upload you CV , Technical and financial proposal on www.jobs.undp.orgno later than 28^th September 2011