Background
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Department for Political Affairs (DPA) and more recently the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), have been collaborating on the Joint UNDP-DPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention. First launched in 2004, the programme has grown significantly in recent years.
In 2015/2016, the Joint Programme has provided support to 45 countries globally through the UN Country Teams’ conflict prevention programmes, in many instances involving the deployment of Peace and Development Advisers (PDAs). The deployment of PDAs represents the most visible element of the partnership, though the programme provides broader support (see below outputs).
Previous deployments of PDAs, coupled with other types of remote support from DPA and UNDP, have enabled UN contributions to violence-free elections or referenda in countries as diverse as Guyana, Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Togo, Lesotho, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Uganda, and the Solomon Islands; breaking deadlocks and resolving conflicts in Lesotho, Bolivia, Ghana, and Kenya; sustaining viable platforms for dialogue or conflict resolution in Chad, Guinea, Fiji, Georgia, FYROM, Cyprus, and Malawi; and initiatives to reduce insecurity at the local level in Ecuador, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Mauritania. During 2017, the programme aims to deploy between 35-39 PDAs and to increase the support being provided to joint conflict analysis and programmatic interventions.
The programme has the following outputs:
Peace and Development Advisors deployed to help build long-term capacity of national partners and UN Country Teams to undertake conflict/political analysis, and design and implement conflict-sensitive programming;
Enhanced mechanisms and capacities for collaboration and dialogue;
Mechanism for deployment of short-term expertise to respond and engage in crisis settings;
Coordinated and complementary UNDP and DPA support, analysis, and engagement in target countries;
Enhanced capacity of UN Country Teams, DPA, and UNDP to share good practices, lessons learned, and engage in community of practice.
The 2015 reviews of UN Peace Operations and the Peacebuilding Architecture both highlight the Joint Programme as one of few examples of effective collaboration across the UN system on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and an effective vehicle through which the UN is able to engage with national stakeholders to prevent and resolve conflict.
Current partners of the Joint Programme include the European Union, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In the last two years, the Joint Programme has enhanced partnerships with Sweden’s Folke Bernadotte Academy on training and capacity support, as well as with UNV, both in an effort to strengthen the technical capacities and support to PDAs.
The first phase of the programme ended in mid-2015 and the second phase was developed for 2015-2018. The programme engages in multiple conflict prevention initiatives at the country level and regularly receives positive feedback from the Country Teams on the ground. At the same time, the programme team has been engaged in reviewing the standard operating procedures of the programme during 2016 to address any inefficiencies in the programme implementation.
Currently the programme is being implemented in the following five regions: Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, Arab States, Latin America/Americas, with the majority of the advisors being deployed in Africa.
Objectives
The evaluation will assess the performance of the Programme in achieving its intended results. The evaluation will specifically focus on the following components:
At the country level
Evaluate the Programme vis-à-vis it’s intended objective of building national capacities for conflict prevention;
Assess to what extent the Programme leverages UNCT’s role in building prevention capacities at the country level;
Review whether PDAs strike a balance in building national capacities, serving the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT, and the colleagues at the HQ;
Review to what degree PDAs are successful in mainstreaming their political and conflict analysis into UNCT programming and monitoring;
Assess the gender sensitivity of the work of the PDAs at the country level, and whether they are engaged in promoting women, peace and security related work at the country level;
Gauge the degree to which the PDAs and the Programme engages other UN agencies and funds, including leveraging PBF/PBSO resources and EU-UN Insider Mediation Programme;
Assess whether the functions of the PDAs are consistently understood and applied; and how context specific the functions become at the country level (noting some PDAs are deployed in mission settings, some have sub-regional roles);
Explore whether the deployment of FBA seconded capacity, UNVs and other seconded staff have made an impact on the programme;
Assess whether Country Teams in selected fragile countries that do not have a PDA would benefit from having such a function;
Propose options for a framework for monitoring and evaluating the work for PDAs going forward; and for assessing the impact of the programme.
At the global level
Evaluate the degree to which the programme achieves the cross-fertilization of expertise and lessons learned between the cadre of PDAs;
Evaluate to what degree the PDAs are able to leverage on the opportunities to connect to the larger community of practice of governance, conflict prevention, political and mediation expertise in UNDP and DPA;
Evaluate the extent to which the Programme contributes to enhancing Joint UN action on prevention;
Review the contribution of the Programme in enhancing UN collaboration between UNDP, DPA and PBSO/PBF.
Assess the possible contribution of the Programme to the sustaining peace agenda and the SG’s agenda on enhancing UN prevention capacity.
At the Programme management level
Review the management, operational, financial and administrative structures, including business processes (standard operating procedures) of the Programme and whether they are fit for purpose;
- options for the sustainability of the PDA cadre including options for cost-sharing of the function;
Assess whether the Programme has the required resources (human and financial) to achieve its intended objectives;
Explore options for further enhancing the gender balance within the PDA cadre;
Assess the relevance of and the capacity of the Programme to respond to the bi-annual Montreux retreat recommendations.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of work:
This evaluation will be carried out by a team of two consultants with the support of the Joint Programme team in New York. The evaluators will jointly undertake the following tasks:
Consult with the Joint Programme management team in New York on the scope of work, methodology and country case studies to be selected;
Draft the inception report outlining the evaluation methodology as well as interview and mission plan and schedule (each consultant should be expected to travel to two countries each);
Develop the research questions and interview questionnaires based on the agreed evaluation plan and methodology;
Conduct interviews with the relevant UN colleagues (including DPA, PBSP and UNDP), donors, Resident Coordinators, PDAs, and other selected stakeholders;
Undertake missions to the selected countries to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme at the country level;
Conduct phone interviews with at least two countries agreed with the Joint Programme management that do not have a PDA to assess needs in these countries;
Draft the evaluation report based on the findings for the review of the programme team;
Consult with the Programme team and adjust the report based on feedback from the Joint Programme management;
- Submit final evaluation report to the Programme Management team
Expected outputs and deliverables:
Deliverables and Timelines
Deliverable 1 - Inception report outlining the evaluation methodology and suggested report outline (Due 2 weeks after commence of assignment)
Deliverable 2 - Submission of interview reports (Within two months of contract signature)
Deliverable 3 - Presentation of the initial findings of the mid-term review to the JP management by 12 June 2017
Deliverable 4 - Draft evaluation report for the team review (within three months of contract signature)
Deliverable 5 - Final report, based on feedback received from the programme team (Within four months of contract signature)
A comprehensive analytical report (not exceeding 50 pages, Word format, single spaced, in English)
The report shall include, but is not necessarily limited to, the following components:
Executive summary
Description of the evaluation methodology
Analysis of the results, impact, resources, partnerships, management/working methods, and implementation strategy
Presentation of key findings
Conclusions and recommendations (including for M&E framework)
Annexes
- Questionnaires developed by consultants and used for the evaluation
- List of persons interviewed, summary interview and mission reports
- Any other relevant material that supports evaluation findings and recommendations
- List of documents reviewed
Management Arrangements and Reporting
The two consultants will report to the Programme Manager of the Joint UNDP-DPA Programme and will liaise with the whole programme team during the assignment.
Evaluation methodology
The evaluator will rely mainly on the following sources of information:
Desk review of relevant programme and policy documents and interviews with a wide range of stakeholders and partners. Interviewees will include the programme agencies (UNDP, DPA and PBSO), key partners in government and civil society, and Peace and Development Advisors in selected countries.
Missions to two countries where the programme would be implemented should be undertaken to conduct direct observation.
The final methodology for the evaluation will be completed within the first two weeks of the contract in consultation with the programme team.
Competencies
Substantive and technical expertise in one or more of the following issues:
Peace, Security and Development, Conflict prevention and resolution; governance and peacebuilding.
Good understanding of UNDP programming modalities, particularly in crisis and post-conflict settings is an asset.
- Strong Proactive in problem-solving and recommendation for conflict prevention and resolution;
- Ability in managing confidential and politically sensitive issues, in a responsible way, and in accordance with protocols.
Interpersonal and communication skills:
Strong communication skills and proven ability to collaborate between different actors and high level of internal and external relationship management;
Uses tact and sensitivity when delivering sensitive information or resolving delicate issues;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
Demonstrates strong ability to manage, facilitate, and engage in discussions with multiple stakeholders in a formal setting, seeking to encourage participation in an open and collegial environment.
Proactive in problem-solving and recommendation for conflict prevention and resolution;
Strong communication skills and proven ability to collaborate between different actors and high level of internal and external relationship management;
Uses tact and sensitivity when delivering sensitive information or resolving delicate
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
Required Skills and Experience
Academic qualifications:
A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, development studies or other relevant social science.
Years of experience:
At least 7 years’ significant experience in the design and evaluation of conflict prevention and peace building programmes;(required)
Technical knowledge and experience in conflict prevention (required)
Knowledge of result-based management evaluation, UNDP policies, procedures, as well as participatory monitoring and evaluation methodologies and approaches (required)
Demonstrable analytical skills and strong drafting skills (required)
Demonstrated strategic thinking and strong understanding of global developments in conflict prevention issues and recent policy developments and programming at country level;
Sound understanding of the UN mandate and role in conflict prevention (required)
Excellent interviewing and facilitation skills
Experience of evaluating gender aspects of conflict prevention desirable;
Language:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
Working knowledge of another UN language, especially French or Spanish, would be an asset
Application Procedure
The application package containing the following:
Online application with brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment; and
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references.
A two-page methodology on how the Offeror will conduct the work including a Work Plan and approach in delivering the required outputs within the assignment period.
Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.
Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.
The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee (based on a 7-hour working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 21.75 days per month).
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around the specific and measurable deliverables of the TOR. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, and deliverables accepted and certified by the technical manager.
The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
- This consultancy is a home-based assignment with travel two countries the envisaged travel cost to join duty station/repatriation travel should be included as part of the financial proposal
- In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
- If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.
Evaluation process
Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.
Technical evaluation - Total 70% (700 points):
Criteria 1. Demonstrable Knowledge of result-based management evaluation, UNDP policies, procedures, as well as participatory monitoring and evaluation methodologies and approaches Maximum Points: 150 points;
Criteria 2. Demonstrated strategic thinking and strong understanding of global developments in conflict prevention issues and recent policy developments and programming at country level; Maximum Points: 100 points;
Criteria 3. Sound understanding of the UN mandate and role in conflict prevention Maximum Points: 125 points;
Criteria 4 Experience of evaluating gender aspects of conflict prevention, Maximum Points: 50 points
Criteria 5 Technical knowledge and experience in conflict prevention, Maximum points: 100 points
Criteria 6 Interview: Maximum Points: 175 points
Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will invite the top four shortlisted candidates for interview. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (490 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (700 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.
Financial evaluation - Total 30% (300 points)
The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:
- p = y (µ/z), where
- p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
- y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
- µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
- z = price of the proposal being evaluated
Contract Award
Candidates ranked first and second in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered an opportunity to enter contract with UNDP.
Institutional arrangement
The two consultants will work under the guidance and direct supervision of Programme Manager and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.
The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop.
Payment modality
10% of contract value after satisfactory submission of Inception report outlining the evaluation methodology and suggested report outline
20% of contract value after satisfactory submission of interview reports
10% of contract value after satisfactory presentation of the initial findings of the mid-term review to the JP management
30% of contract value after satisfactory Draft evaluation report for the team review
30% of Final report, based on feedback received from the programme team
Payments shall be based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified above and deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the technical manager.
The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7-hour working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.