UNDP Jobs - 80650- Terminal Evaluation of the Project Electoral Suppo

Terminal Evaluation of the Project Electoral Support to the Gambia, 2016-2018.

Location :

Banjul, GAMBIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

03-Sep-2018

Application Deadline :

30-Aug-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

25 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

25 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

Further to a formal note from Government endorsing the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) request for support to the electoral cycle, 20216 to 2018, the CO facilitated a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) in July 2015. Following consultations with all relevant stakeholders, the NAM recommended the formulation of project document based on flexible and open enough approach to absorb additional resources that may be made by other donors. The mission further recommended that support to the electoral process should focus on civic and voter education, training of voter registration personnel, strengthening of the Inter Party Advisory Committee as a forum for dialogue and conflict management, building capacity of women potential candidates for elective office, capacity development for the media on election coverage and CSO observation of elections.

In accordance with the NAM’s recommendations, the project employed a strategy aimed at developing the capacities of the key holders in the conduct of the elections, thus contributing to the strengthening and building of a sustainable election management process in The Gambia.

Efforts were made to provide logistical/operational support and build capacities beyond the IEC for an inclusive and process-oriented approach, which ensured other relevant institutions of governance such as the National Council for Civic Education(NCCE), Gambia Press Union(GPU), Women’s’ bureau(WB) and CSO-Coalition on Elections played their roles before, during and after elections. The NCCE took measures which sensitiz the Gambian electorate on the non-technical aspects of voter education and generally raise civic awareness and responsibilities. Capacities of the Media houses and CSO-Coalition on Elections were strengthened for professional coverage of elections devoid of sensationalism and for conducting election observation through training, data collection and analyses during elections. Women’s electoral and political participation was promoted through skills and capacity development for women candidates and raising public awareness on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

An important intervention was support for review of the mandate of Inter-Party Advisory Committee(IPAC) including the holding of its meetings and dissemination of its reports. This reduced tensions between the IEC and the opposition parties thus increasing the confidence of all stakeholders in the electoral process.

The project was implemented within the framework of the Gambia Government-UNDP Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP 2012-2016) and it’s successor Country Programme Document (CPD 2017-2021) using the Direct Implementation modality at a total estimated cost of $350,000, with an additional $232,000 from the EU for support to the National Assembly Elections of March 2017.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a terminal evaluation of the Election project which began in June 2016 and ended in May 2018. The project had the primary objective of ensuring internationally recognised elections accepted by all major stakeholders. Perceived as an expression of the will of the Gambian people, the project has further consolidated the democratic process in the Gambia.

At the end of a project, the UNDP country offices undertake an evaluation of the project at the terminal end. Since the Election project was designed for a duration of two years, it is important to undertake a terminal evaluation to assess project effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact on beneficiaries directly or indirectly. The planned terminal evaluation must observe the parameters of the UNDP guidance, whilst ensuring an inclusive approach which involves stakeholder representation in key decision-making processes. This is critical to ensure the Evaluation is nationally owned, encompasses topics of national interest and has application in the wider national sphere.

The purpose of the evaluation is twofold:

To support greater accountability of the UNDP to stakeholders – The evaluation will enable the various stakeholders in the Election project process, including national counterparts and other partners, to hold the PMT and other parties accountable for fulfilling the aims and objectives.
To support learning – the evaluation must provide clear recommendations for strengthening project management and results at the country level, specifically informing the decision-making for the next UNDP project / programme cycle. The UNDP and the Government of The Gambia stakeholders should be able to learn from the process of documenting good practices and lessons learned which can then be shared within and for the benefit of other countries.

Objectives:

The evaluation has four key objectives:

To assess the contribution project in the realization of project objectives and set targets;
To identify the factors that have affected the project’s contribution, identifying, understanding and explaining the enabling factors and bottlenecks that influenced this contribution (learning).
To reach conclusions concerning the project’s contribution across the scope being examined.
To provide actionable recommendations for improving the project's contribution, especially for incorporation into the new UNDP programming on promoting credible, transparent and sustainable electoral processes and management. These recommendations should be logically linked to the conclusions and draw upon lessons learned identified through the evaluation.

The terminal evaluation will review delivery and achievement of results across all project objectives and targets. It should also include analysis of the level of mainstreaming of the five UN programming principles (human rights-based approach, gender equality, environmental sustainability, results-based management, capacity development) in the programme.

Competencies

Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
Exercise the highest level of responsibility and can handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Proven familiarity with UNDP project evaluation.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

PhD in Social Sciences Preferably Governance and Human Rights, Sociology, development studies project management, OR a Master’s degree and at least 15 years of experience.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant working experience project/programme evaluation;
At least 5 years’ experience working with international donors and UNDP;
At least 5 years’ experience working with a variety of stakeholders in the Gambia or similar country, including government agencies, NGOs, Civil Society, communities, etc. will be an added advantage.

Language skills:

Fluency in English both written and spoken.