UNDP Jobs - 105393- Consultancy (multiple positions)

Consultancy (multiple positions) - Evaluation Specialists, Evaluation of UNDP Support to Social Protection

Location :

Home-based, with possible mission travel pending safety conditions

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

25-Apr-2022

Application Deadline :

05-Apr-22 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Approximately 30-60 days between April - December 2022

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is carrying out an evaluation of ‘UNDP support to social protection’, as planned in its multiyear programme of work (2022-2025) approved by the UNDP Executive Board in February 2022.

The evaluation aims to provide evidence to promote organizational learning for improved effectiveness and contribute to enhanced accountability towards the Executive Board and development partners of UNDP. The evaluation will be conducted during 2022 and presented to the UNDP Executive Board at its annual session in June 2023.

It will examine the coherence, efficiency, relevance, effectiveness and sustainability of the support of UNDP to social protection in programme countries. In addition, the evaluation aims to assess the extent to which the current UNDP social protection offer, and its on-going interventions remain relevant to the global efforts to meet the SDG target 1.3 “Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable” and to build forward better with the intention to provide actionable recommendations for eventual future adjustments to the strategies and positioning of UNDP on the subject.

The IEO is hiring evaluation consultants to assess UNDP work on social protection, including case study reviews across all regions UNDP operates (Africa, Arab states, Asia and Pacific, Latin American and the Caribbean, Europe and the CIS).

The assignment is home-based with possible travel to UNDP regional hubs and country case study locations, depending on the progression of the pandemic and related safety conditions, with an estimated level of input equivalent to 30 to 60 days (each consultant, depending on the specific assignment) between April to December 2022.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Lead Evaluator and the Associate Evaluators the consultants will:

Conduct desk review of the reference material provided by IEO, including reviewing the initial and ongoing strategies, approaches and tools of UNDP in social protection, portfolio of projects and other interventions as required.
Support the development of data collection and analysis plans including data collection and analysis instruments and a list of key stakeholders for consultation, survey and interviews.
Detailed analysis of social protection support before the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the response and recovery from the pandemic.
Collect primary and secondary data on UNDP’s social protection support, through virtual and/or in-person interviews with relevant UNDP staff, beneficiaries, and key partners such as: United Nations officials, government counterparts, local partners, civil society organisations, and private sector, as relevant.
Draft an analysis paper based on the scope pre-defined with lead evaluator, including preliminary findings, conclusions and areas for recommendations. Revise the analysis paper, as per comments received from the IEO.
Participate in the team’s working sessions and make a presentation of preliminary evaluation results of the draft paper.
Contribute to revisions of the evaluation report drafts based on the comments received from the IEO, the evaluation reference group, and UNDP management.

Competencies

Functional competencies

Strong analytical skills, including ability to quickly assess a diverse range of information with a discerning sense for quality of data.
Good mastery of information technology required for organized presentation of information.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Adhere to the principle of confidentiality and ethical code of conducts during the evaluation.
Ability to work under pressure.
Available to conduct required analysis within the agreed timelines.

Corporate Competencies

Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, acting with professionalism, diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters’ degree or equivalent in economics, social policy, social sciences or a relevant field;

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in programme evaluation and/or research at international level.
Substantive knowledge of social protection approaches, tools, trends and challenges.
Proficiency with data collection and analysis techniques and methods, particularly around qualitative data.
Familiarity with UNDP or United Nations operations in the region is desirable.
Experience working in at least one of UNDP programme regions.

Language:

Fluency in English required.
Fluency in Spanish or French advantageous.

Application Instructions

The following documents should be uploaded to the UNDP Jobs site as one document:

A brief cover letter (250-400 words) specifying (a) your suitability for the position including the thematic areas of expertise and previous experience in evaluation and data collection and any experience related to the UNDP areas of work in the country/ region/ globally; and (b) details of any potential conflict of interest in having worked in a programmatic capacity for UNDP over the last 5 years;
Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of at least three (3) professional references; and
A completed Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Form that indicates your daily rate for this consultancy.

Please ensure that all required documents are combined and uploaded as one file as the system does not permit multiple uploads.