Background

The overall goal of the latest Governance Reform Fund (GRF) project phase is to accelerate structural transformation for sustainable development by enhancing citizen-centric governance systems for efficiently serving their constituencies. The project aims to improve the capacities of country authorities in policy planning and the implementation and administration of effective and gender-responsive governance in the context of EU integration and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The GRF project directs its efforts toward strengthening the political and institutional context, the environmental context, and the economic and social context in Georgia to create an ecosystem where “no one is left behind”. Within the current phase, the project concentrates on various initiatives that are leading to long-term improvements with regard to public administration, human rights, public service delivery, the economy, energy, rural development, the environment, and decision-making. The GRF project also continues to prove itself as an effective mechanism in supporting the consolidation of public administration commitments. GRF maintains a responsive approach by addressing the needs and priorities identified by the Government of Georgia (GoG) at the institutional/organizational level. Its approach addresses short-term and long-term capacity development needs, and therefore, its achievements benefit not only state agencies but the corresponding initiatives’ results, and their impacts also boost civil society organizations, local communities, the private sector, and the general public. 

In its current phase, GRF continues to support more efficient public administration system development with the administrative capacity to implement reforms pursuant to EU integration and focuses its efforts on advancing the core capacity of public institutions through organizational, institutional, and human resource development in the priority areas of policy planning and civil service reform, public service delivery, e-governance, government accountability, human rights, rule of law, gender equality, and environmental governance through the following well-tested mechanisms:

• Capacity Development Fund (CDF): addresses critical and immediate capacity development needs of public sector agencies. The project will continue to place more emphasis on initiatives with medium- to longer-term implications.
• On-Demand [Consultancy] Services (ODS): provides on-demand advisory services and technical expertise to develop the capacity of public agencies with regard to policy formation and implementation.

Due to the GRF’s heightened profile and its valuable role in addressing capacity development needs, for the last years has observed an increase in the number of prospective partners who have approached the project for support. The project plans to continue the same line of cooperation, collaborate with different public agencies, and even more diversify its cooperation area.

Therefore, GRF is seeking a consultant to assist and evaluate GRF supported initiatives to obtain assistance in capacity development and coaching of current/potential partner institutions in monitoring and evaluation. Moreover, the project requires external support in measuring GRF’s results amid UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Multidimensional Poverty Framework. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide assistance to the GRF team in capacity development of partner agencies in monitoring and evaluation, contribute to annual reporting through analyzing the progress made by GRF-funded initiatives, conduct evaluation of its funded initiatives and perform comprehensive assessments of the alignment of the outcomes achieved through the GRF-supported initiatives and cascading effect from the results to its influence in line with SDGs and Multidimensional Poverty Framework. More particularly, the national consultant performs the following tasks and responsibilities:

More particularly, the consultant shall perform the following tasks and responsibilities:

1. Developing monitoring and evaluation system of a new phase for optimal progress and impact reporting:

• Elaborate project’s M&E plan in line with the approved logical framework;
• Develop and maintain functional M&E framework for overall GRF project to track the progress and measure the impact of ongoing project interventions, and provide feedback to fine-tune strategies and activities of the project and supported initiatives;
• Design and carry out data collection methodologies, instruments and tools to gather critical information that monitor and evaluate the project’s progress against targeted outcomes and impact;
• Collaborate with the Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist to ensure mainstreaming gender and social aspects into monitoring, evaluation, and learning system of GRF.

2. Designing and supervising capacity development activities:

• Identify and build strategic linkages with key national and local level partner state institutions;
• Identify capacity development assets/needs of partner state institutions;
• Provide support for the project management in designing and preparing the sub-project; documents and on-demand consultancy services;
• Provide analysis and technical advice at the design stage of requests for supporting the development of the sub-project documents, such as result framework, risk log, and M&E plan, and facilitate monitoring during the implementation phase.

3. Coaching existing and potential partners in monitoring and evaluation

• Based on the UNDP Capacity Development Framework, undertake quick capacity assessments for public institutions and provide input for capacity development needs and approaches;
• Coach existing and potential partners in data collection, monitoring tools development;
• Review progress reports submitted by GRF partner institutions and analyze the validity of data in terms of attaining the intended outputs;
• Compile achievements and lessons learned for each initiative based on the collected data from GRF partner institutions

4. Evaluation of GRF-supported initiatives in line with OECD DAC criteria

• Develop a methodology for evaluation of supported CDF and ODS initiatives in line with OECD DAC criteria. Design and carry out data collection methodologies, instruments, and tools to gather critical information that monitors and evaluate the project’s progress against targeted outcomes and impact;
• Elaborate evaluation matrix for all initiatives indicating research questions, study instruments, and list of respondents;
• develop evaluation tools and processes, innovative approaches in evaluation that meet the requirements of UNDP;
• Facilitate Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions for the evaluation;
• Analyse collected data and compile the report structured in line with the OECD DAC criteria;
• Solicit feedback on the draft report from UNDP;
• Finalize report based on the feedback.

5. Contributing to GRF annual report in line with the agreed reporting format adhering to GRF report structure and branding standards for language, format, and presentation

• Provide input to Annual Report;
• Conduct assessment of the alignment of the outcomes achieved through the GRF-supported initiatives and cascading effect from the results to its influence on SDGs and Multidimensional Poverty Framework;
• Compile final consultancy report, including describing the accomplishments undertaken during the consultancy period.

Payment Scedule:

March 15, 2022

10 % Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (detailed), Risk Log and Indicator Tracking Table.

Results Frameworks, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Risk Log of each sub-project, input in the development of sub-project documents.       

June 30, 2022

15 % Coaching sessions for new partners in data collection, monitoring tools development and reporting.           

November 15, 2022, December 30, 2022

15% Evaluation matrix of CDF and ODS initiatives including methodology, research questions, study instruments, and list of respondents.

Final evaluation report of CDF and ODS initiatives structured based on OECD DAC criteria          

December 25, 2022,

10 % Input to Annual Report including monitoring and evaluation, sustainability, lessons learned and achievements.

Final consultancy report including all accomplishments and work performed (number of on-the-job consultancies provided to GRF partner agencies in the process of designing and implementing the sub-projects; the number of progress reports submitted by GRF partner institutions reviewed and report on analyses of the validity of data in terms of attaining the intended outputs; report on achievements and lessons learned for each initiative based on the collected data from GRF partner institutions).

March 15, 2023

10 % Results Frameworks, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Risk Log of each sub-project, input in the development of sub-project documents.

June 30, 2023

15 % Coaching sessions for 10new partners in data collection, monitoring tools development and reporting.           

November 15, 2023

15 % Evaluation matrix of CDF and ODS initiatives including methodology, research questions, study instruments, and list of respondents.

Final evaluation report of CDF and ODS initiatives structured based on OECD DAC criteria.

December 25 – 20, 2023

10 % Input to Annual Report including monitoring and evaluation, sustainability, lessons learned and achievements.           

Final consultancy report including all accomplishments and work performed (number of on-the-job consultancies provided to GRF partner agencies in the process of designing and implementing the sub-projects; the number of progress reports submitted by GRF partner institutions reviewed and report on analyses of the validity of data in terms of attaining the intended outputs; report on achievements and lessons learned for each initiative based on the collected data from GRF partner institutions).      

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Understanding of the mandate and the role of UNDP would be an asset;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional competencies:

• Strong communication and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated skills in drafting reports;
• Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines;
• Actively generates creative, practical approaches and solutions to overcome challenging situations;
• Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills;
• A pro-active approach to problem-solving;
• Computer literacy.

Leadership and Self-Management skills:

• Builds strong relationships with the working group and with the project partners
• Focuses on impact and results for the project partners and responds positively to feedback;
• Cooperates with the working group effectively and demonstrates strong conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy, positivity and a constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong influencing and facilitation skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good-humoured under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change, new ideas and ability to manage ambiguity;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates the ability to transfer knowledge and competencies;
• Is able to work independently and hurdle competing priorities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree - 10 points (minimum requirement); PhD – additional 5 points.

Experience:

• At least five years of responsible experience in designing, managing, and implementing results-based monitoring & evaluation activities, preferably for international development project 5 years -10 points (minimum requirement); more than 5 years – additional 5 points
• At least five years of experience of applying M&E methods, approaches, tools (quantitative, qualitative, and participatory); data analysis; indicator selection; database management; impact evaluation; surveys; reporting 5 years – 5 Points (minimum requirement); more than 5 years – additional 5 points
• Proven knowledge of and experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting, as well as developing and executing M&E plans (minimum requirement) – 10 points.

Language requirement:

• Excellent command of written and spoken Georgian and English.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis method. Offerors will be evaluated against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30.Offerors that do not meet Minimum Qualification Criteria will be automatically rejected, while the rest will form up the long list. The offerors who obtain minimum 35 points as a result of the desk review will be invited for the interview.Offerors who pass 70% threshold, i.e. obtain minimum 14 points, as a result of the interview will be requested the financial proposal.

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the ToR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount. Maximum 30 points will be assigned to the lowest price offer. All other price offers will be scored using the formula (inverse proportion):  Financial score X = 30* the lowest price offer/suggested price offer. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as well.