Background

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) conducts “Independent Country Programme Evaluations (ICPEs)”, previously known as “Assessments of Development Results (ADRs),” to capture and demonstrate evaluative evidence of UNDP’s contributions to development results at the country level, as well as the effectiveness of UNDP’s strategy in facilitating and leveraging national effort for achieving development results. The purpose of an ICPE is to:

 

  • Support the development of the next UNDP Country Programme Document
  • Strengthen accountability of UNDP to national stakeholders
  • Strengthen accountability of UNDP to the Executive Board

 

ICPEs are independent evaluations carried out within the overall provisions contained in the UNDP Evaluation Policy. The IEO is independent of UNDP management and is headed by a Director who reports to the UNDP Executive Board. The responsibility of the IEO is two-fold: (a) provide the Executive Board with valid and credible information from evaluations for corporate accountability, decision-making and improvement; and (b) enhance the independence, credibility and utility of the evaluation function, and its coherence, harmonization and alignment in support of United Nations reform and national ownership.

Based on the principle of national ownership, IEO seeks to conduct ICPEs in collaboration with the national authorities where the country programme is implemented.

UNDP Sierra Leone has been selected for an ICPE since its country programme will end in 2019. The ICPE will be conducted in 2018 to feed into the development of the new country programme. The ICPE will be conducted in close collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, UNDP Sierra Leone country office, and UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Team specialist for Democratic Governance and Peace Building will work closely with the Lead evaluator during the evaluation and will focus on UNDP Sierra Leone country office activities in i) democratic governance in general (constitutional reform and election support, access to justice) and ii) peace building support.

The team specialist for Democratic governance and Peace Building will focus His/her key tasks include:

Democratic Governance

  • What has been the effectiveness of UNDP Sierra Leone’s Democratic Governance support to the country?
  • Does the UNDP Country Office have a Democratic Governance strategy and theory of change articulating support in democratic governance?
  • What has been the impact of UNDP’s Democratic Governance support in constitutional reform and support to the electoral process?
  • How has UNDP influenced and partnered with National and local government in constitutional and electoral support?
  • How has UNDP strengthened access to justice and the rule of law in the country?
  • How has UNDP integrated its Democratic Governance work with other country office outcomes?
  • Has UNDP been able to develop integration or cooperation amongst its outcome areas and leverage governance work into other areas?
  • Have the approaches taken by UNDP in Democratic Governance been aligned with the governments approach or strategy?
  • To what degree has UNDP Sierra Leone followed up on and integrated recommendations in democratic governance following the IEO Assessment of Development results of the country carried out in 2013.

Peace Building

  • What has been UNDP’s role been in supporting continued peace, conflict prevention and security in Sierra Leone?
  • What comparative advantage does UNDP hold in this area? Is this recognized by the Government of Sierra Leone and other Donors?
  • What have been the main challenges faced in the UNDPs support to the peace process and security?
  • To what degree has UNDP Sierra Leone followed up on and integrated recommendations in peace building following the IEO Assessment of Development results of the country carried out in 2013?

Supporting tasks of the team specialist for Democratic Government and Peace Building includes:

  • Review reference material provided by IEO (e.g. programme/ project documents, past evaluation reports, etc.) and conduct a preliminary analysis of the designated outcome areas;
  • Develop the outcome theory of change (if one has not been developed by the country office) and identify any gaps/ issues requiring validation during the field-based data collection phase;
  • Develop a proposed interview/site visit plan to be conducted during data collection;
  • Conduct field-based data collection activities (e.g. interviews and site visits) in accordance with the instructions given by EM/AEM and guided by the ICPE (ADR) manual;
  • Keep good records of interview notes and develop an democratic governance and peace building outcome evaluation paper;
  • Prepare, and submit in a timely manner, all required written reports on the outcomes;
  • As a member of the team, actively participate in the team’s discussions and joint analysis sessions. Participate in the programme briefing and the end-of-mission debriefing at the country office;
  • Ensure that all necessary data collection activities are conducted (during and after the mission) and manage his/her own work schedule;
  • Provide clarification, additional data, and supporting documents as requested by the EM/AEM during the preparation/finalization of the outcome papers and the draft ADR report; and
  • Team specialist will also ensure crosscutting issues are analysed across their specialist outcome areas including gender integration and mainstreaming within programmes, human rights and capacity building.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

  • Strong analytical skills, including ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information with a discerning sense for quality of data; and
  • Good mastery of information technology required for organized presentation of information.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Proven organizational skills and ability to handle a large volume of work; and
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Corporate Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling UN values and ethical standards, including UNEG norms;
  • Acts as a team player and exercises diplomacy, tact and politeness; and
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Master’s degree or higher in public policy, public administration, political science, social science, international relations or other area relevant to the consultancy.

Experience

  • A minimum of 10 years of work experience;
  • Substantive technical knowledge in sustainable human development, encompassing familiarity with democratic governance issues and/or social and economic development;
  • Experience in conducting evaluations;
  • Familiarity with the work of the United Nations and UNDP will be an advantage; and
  • Familiarity with Sierra Leone and/or being Sierra Leone-based will be an advantage.

Language

  • Good written and spoken English.

Application Instructions

Education

  • Master’s degree or higher in public policy, public administration, political science, social science, international relations or other area relevant to the consultancy

Experience

  • A minimum of 10 years of work experience;
  • Substantive technical knowledge in sustainable human development, encompassing familiarity with democratic governance issues and/or social and economic development;
  • Experience in conducting evaluations;
  • Familiarity with the work of the United Nations and UNDP will be an advantage; and
  • Familiarity with Sierra Leone and/or being Sierra Leone-based will be an advantage.

Language

  • Good written and spoken English.

Application Instructions

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

  • 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;
  • A brief cover letter (250-400 words) specifying: (a) area(s) of expertise within UNDP’s thematic programme areas (see above); and (b) details of any potential conflict of interest in having worked in a programmatic capacity for UNDP over the last 5 years; 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.

 

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.