UNDP Jobs - 70028- National Consultant - Mid-Term Evaluation for Stre

National Consultant - Mid-Term Evaluation for Strengthening the Legal and Institutional Framework for Effective Public Administration (GPAR SLIFEPA)

Location :

Vientiane capital, LAO PDR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Jan-2017

Application Deadline :

10-Jan-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

15 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

15 working 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

Strengthening the administrative machinery of the Government to execute the core functions of the state is key to achieving the country’s development goals articulated within the National Socio Economic Development Plan(s), including the MDG/SDGs. Policy actions include developing the state administrative regulatory framework, state machinery, civil service management, and central-local relations. The Government, through its national Governance and Public Administration Reform Programme (GPAR), and under the leadership of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), has made steady and significant progress in developing the foundation for an effective, accountable and responsive public administration.

Within the national GPAR programme, the Strengthening the Legal and Institutional Framework for Effective Public Administration Project (GPAR SLIFEPA) is designed to enable the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to put more effective public administration into place across the respective tiers of government whilst ensuring the rights of individuals regarding the administrative system of Lao PDR. Mainly funded by the European Union, SLIFEPA is expected to deliver the following 4 key outputs: (i) Support for drafting public administration laws, decrees and regulations to promote effectiveness, transparency and citizen accountability; (ii) Support to define inter-governmental relations (mandates, functions and budgets) for transparency and accountability; (iii) Assisting communication, dissemination and dialogue with citizens on laws and regulations related to public administration, and (iv) developing new frameworks and systems for assessing service quality and reengineering administrative processes for improved service delivery.

As the Project duration goes from July 2014 to June 2017 (with a possible extension), this consultancy serves as a mid-term evaluation to assess the Project in such areas as efficiency, effectiveness, and relevance at the output level, and to capture lessons and recommendations for the future

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will assess the project’s:

(i) Relevance, in view of putting a more effective public administration into place across the respective tiers of government whilst ensuring the rights of individuals regarding the administrative system of Lao PDR

(ii) Effectiveness (e.g. the degree to which the project activities listed in the Project Document and capturing government priorities have been successfully implemented and desired outputs are being achieved)

(iii) Efficiency (e.g. the approach to project management, including the role of stakeholders and coordination with other development projects in the same area)

(iv) Strategy

(v) Sustainability and national ownership

(vi) Management and monitoring

(vii) Social and environmental standards.

It should also assess what works and does not work and why, highlight intended and unintended progress and/or results, and provide lessons and recommendations to date for corrective action to comply with the requirements of the project document / funding agreements.

In relation to the above-mentioned aspect, the Consultant will:

* Document, review and frame approach and questions for the evaluation;

* Ensure use of best practice methodologies in conducting the mission;

* Hold consultations and interviews with relevant stakeholders and strategic partners;

* Identify possible capacity development/enhancement issues;

* Identify and analyse the GPAR SLIFEPA results, achievements and constraints;

* Draft and finalize the final evaluation report.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

* Shares knowledge and experience.

* Plan and prioritizes work activities to meet organizational goals.

* Builds and sustains relationships with key stakeholder groups and project team.

* Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate.

* Demonstrates excellent and effective written and oral communication skills

* Demonstrate respect to knowledge and culture and religion in a multidisciplinary working environment.

* Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands.

* Uses information technology effectively as a tools and resource

* Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in taking on this type of consultancy.

Corporate Competencies:

* Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’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;

* Treats all people fairly without favoritism;

* Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Required Skills and Experience

The below stated criteria shall apply to the Evaluator.

Education:

* Masters or equivalent in relevant field of political science, public administration, public management or another relevant field.

Work Experience:

* Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in providing consultancy work related to public administration / governance development; and

* Experience in evaluating and monitoring technical cooperation and development activities and projects, especially in South East Asia region.

Knowledge:

* Strong knowledge of public administration, governance, law making, evaluation experience in development would be an asset;

* Familiarity with the UN(DP) / European Union evaluation policy, norms and standards; and

* Knowledge in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web based monitoring systems.

Language:

* Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English. Knowledge of Lao would be an asset