Antecedentes

Within the framework of the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPF) 2012 – 2016, UNICEF and the government of Ukraine developed the 2012 - 2016 Country Programme Document (CPD) and Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP).  The Rolling Work Plan (RWP) 2012 – 2014 was developed to operationalize the CPAP.

In 2014, the Country Programme (CP) reached the mid-point of its current cycle.  In keeping with the requirements of UNICEF’s Executive Board, UNICEF in Ukraine and the Government, led by the Ministry of Social Policy, will undertake the Mid-Term Review (MTR).

Due to the events in Eastern Ukraine in 2014, it was decided to shift the date of the MTR to 2015. At the same time, and in line with considerations by the UNCT to extend the UNPF by another year to 2017, an extension of the current programme cycle to the end of 2017 is envisaged. A Rolling 2015 – 2017 Workplan is in the making to reflect the extension of the UNPF and the Country Programme.

As approved by the UNICEF Executive Board, the overall goal of the CP is to support national efforts to reduce social exclusion and disparities and provide quality social services more effectively for the most vulnerable children, including children deprived of parental care, living with HIV, living on the streets, from low-income families, victims of violence and in conflict with the law.

UNICEF is recognized as an entrusted independent voice for the rights of children, including the most vulnerable. UNICEF in Ukraine also strives to generate greater integration between the private sector, the government, and citizens to strengthen social accountability for children.

Since the start of the CP, there have been a number of significant developments in the programming environment for children and the framework within which UNICEF programme in Ukraine is situated. The annexation of Crimea, the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, the following socio-economic decline as well as the change in overall political direction of the country require a critical review and amendment of the programme goals, the strategies applied to achieve those as well as the organizational / managerial setup in place to warrant them.

Purpose of Contract

The Mid-term Review (MTR) Consultant is providing professional expertise and assistance in the MTR process, being accountable for the accomplishment of the stated below end-results by deadlines set by the CO as per below.

Deberes y responsabilidades

In accordance with the MTR concept note, the Consultant will support the CO in conducting the following:

• Familiarization with the UNICEF technical regulations governing the Mid-Term Review process;
• Familiarization with the UNICEF Strategic Plan, including the revised goal framework, organizational commitments and core strategies globally embraced;
• Familiarization of the Regional Knowledge Leadership areas and UNICEF Ukraine’s role and involvement in each of them, including the outcomes of the Country Evaluations conducted;
• Desk Review of key knowledge products established by the Country Office such as: 2012-2016 CPD and CPAP, 2012-2014 Rolling Workplan, 2013 and 2014 Annual Reports, 2014 Situation Analysis, Six Theories of Change including the knowledge products attributable to them, selection of recent studies of key values related to poverty and other issues increasing vulnerabilities of children and families;
• Obtain in-depth knowledge on UNICEF’s contribution to the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Eastern Ukraine by reviewing key documents such as: 2015 HRP and UNICEF HAC, 2015 Emergency workplans, Last 12 Sitreps, Consolidated Emergency Report.
• Have a maximum number of consultations with key stakeholders against a priority-list provided by the Country Office;
• Draft the MTR draft report, highlighting: assess progress in implementing the 2012-2016 CP, highlight major achievements within the CP, review and analyse the CP relevance in light of the changing environment, identify lessons learned;
• Providing recommendations for changes within the ongoing country programme with regards to: changes necessary at the strategic level, adjustments necessary to match the framework provided within the new UNICEF Strategic and adjustments to be better aligned with the Regional Knowledge Leadership agenda;
• Lead the overall consultations with partners within the MidTerm Review process;
• Draft and submit the final reports a per deliverables outlined below.

Deliverables:

• MTR draft report (by 20 of May 2015);
• MTR review final report (by 20 of June 2015);
• MTR 5 page summary report (by 20 of June 2015).

Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

• Timeliness of submitting deliverables as per deadlines specified above;
• Quality of submitting deliverables (as confirmed by the Deputy Representative in Consultant’s monthly evaluation report).

Competencias

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of UNICEF’s policies and procedures for programming, monitoring and evaluation;
• Latest programme monitoring and evaluation theory, including theories of change, methodology, technology and tools;
• Full commitment to UNICEF Mission Statement and observance of UNICEF Guiding Principles.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• University degree in social sciences, development planning, planning, evaluation, survey implementation, advanced statistical research.  

Experience:

• Professional work experience in programme development and implementation including monitoring and evaluation activities, as follows 15 years of relevant professional work experience;
• Middle income country work experience;
• At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning;
• Proven experience in guiding and documenting MTR processes;
• Proven experience with UNICEF on SitAn and Child Rights Monitoring.

Language:

• Excellent command of English at native speaker level (written and oral) is required;
• Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian is an asset.

Definition of supervision arrangements

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the UNICEF Representative, the Consulant is supervised by the Deputy Representative. The Consultant will have meetings with the Deputy Representative as deemed necessary where pending issues will be discussed, guidance will be provided in resolving impediments, and further actions will be planned.

Description of official travel involved

The consultancy involves at least 20 days of on-site work in Kiev and up to 10 days of off-site work at the place of usual residence (travel days not calculated here)

Onsite work in Kiev, Ukraine is required in order to:

• Conduct at consultation involving national stakeholder and staff at the Country Office as requested by the Senior Management;
• Participate in the final MTR session with the government.

Offsite work is possible in order to conduct desk-reviews, draft reports.

Estimated cost of the contract:

30 working days + DSA in case of travel to the CO and travel expenses.

UNICEF recourse in the case of unsatisfactory performance:

Cessation of the agreement. In the event of unsatisfactory performance, UNICEF reserves the right to terminate the Agreement. In case of partially satisfactory performance, such as serious delays causing the negative impact on meeting the programme objectives, low quality or insufficient depth and/or scope of the assessment completion, UNICEF is entitled to decrease the payment by the range from 30 to 50%.

Support provided by UNICEF

Day-to-day support for the assignment will be provided by the UNICEF Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and will include the monitoring guidance and assessment of key information and informants; relevant information sharing via e-mail; briefing sessions; and facilitation of the consultant’s meetings with UNICEF counterparts when necessary.

The deadline for submission of applications is 14 April, 2015.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applicants that fulfil the above requirements are requested to complete a United Nations Personal History Form (P. 11) which is available at a web-site www.unicef.org/employ and submit it together with a CV and a cover letter describing your professional interests in working for UNICEF.

Please, indicate MTR Consultant in the subject.

Fax No. 380-44-230-2506

E-mail: recruitment_kiev@unicef.org

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.