UNDP Jobs - 81070- Evaluation Consultants: Independent Country Progra

Evaluation Consultants: Independent Country Programme Evaluation - Afghanistan

Location :

Home-based with mission travel to Afghanistan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2018

Application Deadline :

01-Oct-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

30-40 days spread between Nov 2018 and July 2019

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will conduct an Independent Country Programme Evaluation (ICPE) in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in 2018/2019. The ICPE will inform the elaboration of the new country programme with evaluative evidence of UNDP’s contribution to national development priorities. This is IEO’s third country programme evaluation conducted for Afghanistan. It will examine UNDP’s work during the ongoing programme cycle 2015-2019. Results of the evaluation are expected to provide a set of forward-looking recommendations as input to the new CPD process for the next country programme.

The IEO is seeking three senior evaluation consultants who work in one or more of the following areas:

Accountable governance
Justice and rule of law
Equitable and inclusive development, resilience and disaster risk reduction/management
Strategic policy guidance, change management and coordination in crisis/conflict setting

In all areas, a gender-focused assessment is part of the programme analysis. The specific Terms of Reference will be provided to interested candidates who meet the required qualifications. The duration of the consultancy will vary depending on the specific tasks, ranging between 30 and 40 work days. For more information on the IEO, visit http://web.undp.org/evaluation/.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the IEO lead evaluator, the consultants will contribute to the analysis of the country programme by providing technical expertise and knowledge in the assigned area(s), including cross-cutting areas, e.g. human rights, partnerships, gender, capacity building, etc. Their responsibilities will include:

Conduct preliminary desk review research based on reference material provided by the IEO;
Develop a data collection plan, in consultation with the lead evaluator and country office staff, based on the overall work plan and design provided by the IEO;
Participate in data collection activities prior to and during the in-country mission. They include interviews and meetings with relevant stakeholders (virtual, Skype/telephone, and in person);
Preparation of individual reports, including programme outcome-level analysis; and
Participation in the evaluation team’s joint meetings and analysis of key findings, conclusions and recommendations leading to the preparation of the final report.

Competencies

Functional competencies

Strong analytical skills, including ability to quickly assess a diverse range of 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

Adhere to the principle of confidentiality and ethical code of conducts during the evaluation;
Ability to work under pressure, multi-tasking skills;
Available to travel and conduct required analysis within the agreed timelines; and
Strong oral and written communication skills in English and preferably in local languages.

Corporate Competencies

Knowledge of UNDP work in Afghanistan, UN programmes in conflict-affected countries; and
Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, acting with professionalism, diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s degree or higher in interested thematic area(s) indicated above, Social Sciences, Public Policy, International Relations, or other relevant fields.

Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of work experience in one or more of the thematic areas under review and relevant fields (e.g. governance, justice and rule of law, human rights, gender, social equity, inclusive development, peacebuilding, disaster risk management, climate change, aid coordination, policy and strategic advisory services in complex crisis/post-conflict countries);
Familiarity with UNDP/UN programmes in Afghanistan, integrated UN missions, or coordination of complex UN programmes in conflict-affected countries, a significant asset;
Experience in conducting evaluations in development and crisis/conflict setting, and familiarity with techniques and methods of data collection and quantitative and qualitative analysis; and
Experience of gender-focused evaluation of development programmes.

Languages

Fluency in English required; Skills and knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto an asset.

Application Instructions

Applicants are invited to upload as one combined document the following documents to the UNDP Jobs site:

CV in the format known as P11;
A completed Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Form that indicates your daily rate for this consultancy;
A short cover letter that includes their thematic area of interest for the assignment (Accountable governance, Justice and rule of law, Equitable and inclusive development resilience and disaster risk reduction/management, Strategic policy guidance, change management and coordination in crisis/conflict setting)

Candidates not sending any of the requested information will be disqualified. Please note that the system can only accept one uploaded document therefore all documents must be combined into a single document for upload.