UNDP Jobs - 34692- Consultant - Review of the Learning Network on Cap

Consultant - Review of the Learning Network on Capacity Development

Location :

Homebased

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2013

Application Deadline :

11-Jan-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

15 work days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

15 work days

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

Established in 2004 to raise the contour of capacity development on the international policy agenda, the Learning Network on Capacity Development (LenCD) is an informal network of development practitioners that supports the emerging global community of practice around capacity development, by promoting exchange of knowledge, experiences and approaches among practitioners.

In December 2008, at the LenCD strategy meeting held in Washington, an interim steering group decided to endow the network with a lean coordination function and an operational framework, through which LenCD could more easily receive and manage funding and implement initiatives. Against this, UNDP offered to support the network through the establishment of a project, which could provide LenCD with a legal platform on which financial and in-kind support could be fostered and managed, collective action developed, and basic services be more efficiently provided. Prior to the establishment of the UNDP project, the LenCD coordination function was supported through funding made available by GTZ (now GIZ). The LenCD strategy, underpinning the UNDP project, is conceived around the following areas: (i) promoting concrete practice change on the ground; (ii) widening the evidence base by distilling and disseminating lessons; and (iii) bringing relevant knowledge back to inform policy decisions on capacity development.

Since its inception, LenCD has been connecting the capacity development community, facilitating learning and dialogue around capacity development, and informing policies and practice on the ground. In 2011, LenCD’s initiatives were, for the most part, oriented towards preparing for the 4th High Level Forum in Busan, where LenCD played a critical role positioning capacity development higher on the international development agenda.

Following Busan, LenCD has reflected upon its own comparative advantages in the context of the emerging Effective Institutions agenda, and decided to extend the UNDP project for three additional years, to continue carrying forward its agenda. Against this, LenCD is committed to continue providing knowledge and learning services to the CD community of practice, refocusing its resources in the following areas: 1) support partners to implement the commitments made under the Effective Institutions Building Block, by creating and maintaining a virtual and physical space where all CD practitioners can access knowledge, experiences and guidance on how to catalyse and support institutional reform and capacity development processes at the country level; 2) facilitate learning on CD through tutored e-learning courses and resources.

Against this, the LenCD steering group has decided to carry out a review of LenCD initiatives since its inception.

Purpose and scope of the review:

This review is being conducted to assess LenCD progress towards the achievement of the expected results, as set out in the UNDP project document namely: the community of CD practitioners having access to knowledge, experiences and guidance on how to catalyse and support institutional reform processes at the country level, through the creation and maintenance of a virtual and physical ‘space’ where it can interact; the CD Learning Package being available to all CD practitioners as an e-learning course; the capacity development community of practice is stronger and more cohesive, connected to other communities, and with the ability to promote and catalyse action around CD.

The findings of this review will be used by the LenCD steering group, to guide the network’s initiatives over the next three years.

This review will cover LenCD initiatives since its inception. It will explore the extent to which LenCD has been able to facilitate learning on capacity development, promote change in CD practice on the ground, broaden evidence on capacity development, and promote the integration of capacity development into mainstream development policy. The review will also explore to which extent LenCD has been able to rationalize the knowledge architecture on capacity development. The review will be conducted under the leadership of the LenCD steering group and supported by the LenCD coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant is expected to:

Familiarise her/himself with the network.
Analyse/review the available information about LenCD initiatives, including: progress reports, minutes of steering group’s meetings, documents available on the LenCD website and other relevant documents.
Interviews and consultations (on-line and by conference call/phone call) with LenCD members, including members who are not part of the LenCD steering group but are active network’s members.
Assess to which extent the network has achieved the intended objectives, as outlined in the LenCD project document. In particular, assess to which extent LenCD has been able to facilitate learning on capacity development, promote change in CD practice on the ground, broaden evidence on capacity development, promote the integration of capacity development into mainstream development policy, and rationalize the knowledge architecture on capacity development.
Review the functioning of the LenCD governance structures (Steering Group) and the level of participation of members of the network.
Assess to which extent LenCD members use and benefit from resources made available on the LenCD website.
Assess to which extent members of the CD community of practice benefit from peer-learning and other knowledge exchange initiatives.
Make recommendations on where best to invest the network’s energies and how to better mobilise them to achieve the intended objectives.
Identify areas where further work needs to be done to achieve the network’s objectives and to maximize its potentials.
Identify lessons learnt; innovative/best practices; as well as map out learning events

Deliverables:

The consultant is expected to fulfill the following deliverables:

Draft report to be circulated amongst members of the steering group for feedback.
Final report incorporating comments by the members of the steering group.

Competencies

Corporate

Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards.
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Technical competencies

Strong writing and analytical skills.
Ability to be flexible and work under tight deadlines in an independent working environment.
High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Masters degree or equivalent in development studies, international relations, economics, or other relevant social studies and disciplines.

Experience

At least 10 years of work experience at the international level in monitoring and evaluation, planning, or other related fields.

Language Requirements:

English is required.