Background

As the custodian of the evaluation function, the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of UNDP supports the Administrator in his/her substantive accountability function, and contributes to informed decision-making by the Executive Board, managing for development results by the organization and enhancing the evaluation function across the UN system by engaging with partners in the evaluation and development community.

IEO undertakes independent country programme evaluations (ICPEs) – previously known as Assessments of Development Results (ADRs). The ICPEs cover the UNDP country portfolio over a 5 year period and are timed to provide evaluative evidence to feed into the development of new UNDP Country Programme Documents. ICPEs/ADRs also support UNDP’s accountability to national stakeholders and the Executive Board.

In 2019, an ICPE will be conducted in Malaysia. The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of UNDP is looking to hire two consultants (preferably national/regional but international consultants will also be considered) to support the ICPE of UNDP Malaysia. The consultants will serve as team specialists and support the assessment of the programme and/or specific thematic/outcome areas. Under the guidance of the lead evaluator, the consultants will conduct preliminary research and data collection activities, undertake data/information analysis, and contribute to the preparation of the final ICPE report. The consultants will work closely with the lead evaluator and associate lead evaluator from the IEO in all phases of the evaluation.

For more information on IEO activities, visit undp.org/evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultants will provide technical expertise and knowledge in one or both of the following UNDP country programme components: (1) inclusive development and growth; and (2) sustainable and resilient development. Under the first component the country programme aims to contribute to efforts to enhance capacities of federal and state institutions responsible for economic and urban development in designing, implementing and monitoring of programmes aimed at reducing spatial inequalities and inclusive and sustainable urbanization and rural development.  The second programme component aims to contribute to enhancing the country’s resilience to climate variability and change by promoting innovative mitigation actions such as the use of clean and renewable energy and universal modern energy access for the underserved population, disaster risk reduction, natural capital valuation, reduction of environmental impacts and mainstreaming of biodiversity into development and growth policies.

Under the supervision of the IEO lead evaluator, consultants will undertake the following tasks:

  • Conduct initial desk review of available reference material provided by IEO (e.g. country programme strategic documents, project documents, evaluation reports, and national reports) and prepare and submit an inception report covering context analysis for assigned portfolio (country programme thematic/outcome areas); analysis of the UNDP programme and the progress towards anticipated results. The template of the inception report will be shared by IEO.
  • Based on the preliminary analysis above, identify and map out respective theory of change (TOC). In addition, identify information gaps to be filled during the in-country data mission. The TOC will be validated with UNDP and national stakeholders during the in-country mission (July 2019).
  • Conduct field-based data collection activities (e.g. interviews and project site visits) in accordance with the evaluation design and methodology as guided by the IEO. Thoroughly assess and fill all information gaps during the field work as inputs for the finalization of preliminary findings and formulatation of evaluation conclusions and recommendations for the assigned portfolio. Keep record of interview notes.
  • Be responsible for following up on individual work schedules (e.g., scheduling and conduct of required interviews and field visits) in consultation with the IEO and the country office staff.
  • As a member of the ICPE team, actively participate in the evaluation team’s discussions and joint analysis sessions.
  • Contribute to the debriefing of country office staff at the conclusion of in-country field work.
  • Submit draft evaluation report for the assigned portfolio.
  • Finalize the draft evaluation report based on comments received from IEO.
  • Provide clarifications and/or additional information in response to comments received from the UNDP country office and national stakeholders on the draft evaluation report.

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, social science, with specialization and/or experience in upper middle-income country development context and priority areas of the country programme, i.e. inclusive development and growth agenda (leave no one behind), energy efficiency, biodiversity conservation.  

Experience

  • A minimum of 10 years of work experience;
  • Substantive technical knowledge of inclusive development and growth and/or energy efficiency;
  • Familiarity with the work of the United Nations and UNDP will be an advantage; and
  • Familiarity with Malaysia developmental context will be an asset.

Language

  • Good written and spoken English.

Application Instructions

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

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.