UNDP Jobs - 82269- National Consultancy Services for Terminal Evaluat

National Consultancy Services for Terminal Evaluation of Building a Multiple-Use Forest Management Framework to Conserve Biodiversity in the Caspian Hyrcanian Forest Landscape

Location :

Tehran-Golestan-Mazandaran-Guilan Provinces, IRAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

19-Dec-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

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

To apply for this jobs please refer to http://www.ir.undp.org/content/iran/en/home/procurement.html under the subject: "National Consultancy Services for Terminal Evaluation of Building a Multiple-Use Forest Management Framework to Conserve Biodiversity in the Caspian Hyrcanian Forest Landscape"

Please note that all interested applicants are requested to send their proposal to UNDP office: No. 8, Shahrzad Blvd. Darrous, Tehran, 1948773911, Iran

The project was designed to conserve biodiversity in key landscapes within the Caspian broadleaf deciduous forest ecoregion. The ecoregion is recognized for its high levels of endemism; it is also an important storehouse of threatened species. It will do this by strengthening the national and local policy framework governing land use in the Caspian forests (which cover an area of approximately 1.8 million hectares), enhancing the rights and roles of the local communities in their management and demonstrating ways and means of improving management (including land use planning, zoning, compliance monitoring and enforcement).

The project will trigger a paradigm shift from sector-focused management to multiple use management, to reduce the conjunction pressures arising from different land uses. It will put in place the necessary policy and regulatory mechanisms needed to mainstream biodiversity conservation considerations into land use plans and build the capacities of key institutions to implement the reformed planning and management approach. The project is thus consistent with GEF Strategic Objective 2 of GEF 5: Mainstream biodiversity conservation and sustainable use into production landscapes, seascapes and sectors and in particular Outcome 2.1: Increase in sustainably managed landscapes and seascapes that integrate biodiversity conservation. The successful implementation of this project will set the foundations for replication of the approach in other important forest ecosystems across the country.

The objectives of the evaluation are to assess the achievement of project results, and to draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming.

Duties and Responsibilities

Please note that all interested applicants are requested to send their proposal to UNDP office: No. 8, Shahrzad Blvd. Darrous, Tehran, 1948773911, Iran

The evaluator is expected to achieve the main following objectives:

To frame the evaluation effort using the criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact, as defined and explained in the UNDP Guidance for Conducting Terminal Evaluations of UNDP-supported, GEF-financed Projects
To provide evidence-based information that is credible, reliable and useful
To follow a participatory and consultative approach ensuring close engagement with government counterparts, in particular the GEF operational focal point, UNDP Country Office, project team, UNDP GEF Technical Adviser based in the region and key stakeholders
To attend various national meetings in Tehran and conduct a field mission to Golestan, Mazandaran and Guilan provinces.
Interviews will be held with the following organizations and individuals at a minimum: FRWO Tehran and heads of Natural Resources & Watershed Management in pilots, Department of Environment (DOE), Ministry of Jihad Agriculture (MOJA), ICHTO, District Governors, Local communities & NGOs (Provincial).
To review all relevant sources of information, such as the project document, project reports – including Annual APR/PIR, project budget revisions, midterm review, progress reports, GEF focal area tracking tools, project files, national strategic and legal documents, and any other materials that the evaluator considers useful for this evidence-based assessment.

Competencies

Please note that all interested applicants are requested to send their proposal to UNDP office: No. 8, Shahrzad Blvd. Darrous, Tehran, 1948773911, Iran

Not Applicable.

Required Skills and Experience

Please note that all interested applicants are requested to send their proposal to UNDP office: No. 8, Shahrzad Blvd. Darrous, Tehran, 1948773911, Iran

Minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience
Academic and/or professional background in institutional/governance aspects of natural resource management, forest management or biodiversity conservation
Knowledge of UNDP and GEF
Experience in the review of sustainable development projects, preferably with UNDP or GEF or other United Nations development agencies and major donors
Experience in project design, project cycle management, and project monitoring and evaluation.
Previous experience with results-based monitoring and evaluation methodologies
Technical knowledge in the targeted focal area(s) of biodiversity
Have a broad-based knowledge and international/national experience related to capacity building, local community development and natural resource/forest management
Knowledge of NIM guidelines and national laws
Excellent English and Farsi written and verbal communication skills.