UNDP Jobs - 89922- EOI: Senior Evaluation Consultant (5 positions)

EOI: Senior Evaluation Consultant (5 positions) – Evaluation of the UNDP Support to Conflict Affected Countries

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

05-Mar-2020

Application Deadline :

12-Feb-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

25-40 working days spread over duration of March 2020 – August 2020

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 Programme (UNDP) is carrying out an ‘Evaluation of the UNDP's support to conflict affected countries.’ The evaluation is in response to a request by the Executive Board of UNDP during the Second Regular Session in September 2019. The evaluation will cover programmes from 2014, which coincides with the UNDP’s organisational reformulation of crisis response, the institutional structures and frameworks.

The evaluation will assess UNDP's contributions in conflict affected countries in the key areas of prevention, response (including early recovery), and transition to long-term development. This includes efforts towards prevention of crisis in fragile country contexts where a crisis is manifest or well as evolving; transition and development support in post-conflict contexts, and assessment of contribution to global and regional efforts and advocacy that have salience for country-level responses. The main objectives of the evaluation are:

To assess the role and contribution of UNDP in conflict affected countries and those with fragile contexts;
To assess the extent to which UNDP promoted integrated and nexus approaches in its support to response and stabilisation (economic revitalisation, peacebuilding, statebuilding, reconstruction);
Identify the factors that have impacted UNDP's contribution.

This call for expressions of interest (EOI) provides a profile of the expected responsibilities of senior evaluation consultants for this global thematic evaluation. The specific Terms of Reference (TOR) for the expected 5 consultants will be provided at a later date to interested candidates who meet the required qualifications set out in this EOI. The duration of consultancies will vary depending on the specific tasks and is expected to range between 20-40 working days.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Assignment
The consultants will carry out data collection and analysis to assess the performance of UNDP in conflict affected countries, in achieving the objectives of the Strategic Plans as considered through the implementation of global, regional and country-level programming. The assignment involves working from home and travel, as needed. Broadly the type of activities the consultant may be assigned includes:

Providing advice on the preparation and design of a complex, multi-layered evaluation process;
Conducting desk review pertaining to UNDP work (conceptual, programmatic and non-programmatic) within the evaluation’s scope;
Carry out data collection using the instruments outlined in the ToR of the evaluation;
Carry out and document analysis using the instruments outlined in the ToR;
Formulating findings based on the results of both qualitative and quantitative data, the broader context of evaluation issues, and the political and programmatic environment;
Provide concise and compelling evidence-based reports as inputs to the evaluation, including carrying out the country, regional, and/or thematic analysis.

Timeframe
The data collection, analysis and written inputs by the consultants will take place during Mid March to Early Mary 2020.

Competencies

Expertise in conflict related programming areas ( Conflict prevention, early recovery, resilient livelihoods, building national institutions, strengthening core government functions, building infrastructure and reconstruction, promote peace, and gender equality )
Prior experience in complex evaluations in conflict contexts;
Broad and authoritative knowledge of evaluation practices, concepts and principles;
High level of understanding of international debates related to sustainable development, resilience, stabilisation
Strong understanding of UN/UNDP mandate, operations and programmes;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to craft clear, influential messages to senior policy audiences on the basis of large multi-country data sets.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least a Masters’ degree in the social sciences or a relevant field.

Experience:

At least 15 years of international development experience;
Extensive evaluation experience, having led and managed complex evaluations of development programmes of multilateral organizations, bilateral agencies and other related stakeholders;
Demonstrated track record in areas of organizational strategic planning and institutional performance; and
Proven management experience, preferably of international evaluation teams conducting data collection and analysis.

Language:

Fluency in English. Fluency in Arabic, French, Spanish will be advantageous.

Submission Details:
Applicants are invited to submit in one combined document their (1) CV and (2) short cover letter that includes their expected daily rate and thematic area of expertise among UNDP’s work (Conflict prevention, early recovery, resilient livelihoods, building national institutions, strengthening core government functions, building infrastructure and reconstruction, promote peace, and gender equality). Only short-listed candidates shall be provided with further details of the assignment. The consultants will be selected in accordance with procedures set out in the UNDP Procurement Guidelines and UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations. This expression of interest does not entail any commitment on the part of UNDP, either financial or otherwise. UNDP reserves the right to accept or reject any or all expressions of interest without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant/s of the grounds.