UNDP Jobs - 92840- Ref.2020-103_International Consultant for the fina

Ref.2020-103_International Consultant for the final evaluation of the regional project “Strengthening Community Resilience and Regional Cooperation for Prevention of Violent Extremism in Central Asia”

Location :

home based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Aug-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

35 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

August - October 2020

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

Important notice to the Applicants!

Only those applications/offers will be considered that have been submitted to the following e-mail address: procurement.kz@undp.org with the indication of Ref.2020-103 in the subject line. The application deadline is 4 PM (Nur-Sultan time) 4 August 2020. For detailed information on the position, required documents to be sent and evaluation procedure please refer to the Terms of Reference.

Background:

The ‘Strengthening Community Resilience and Regional Cooperation for Prevention of Violent Extremism in Central Asia’ project (2018-2020), supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP, is a regional project that aims to contribute to resilience to violent extremism in vulnerable communities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan through improving the socio-economic inclusion and participation of young men and women in their societies. The project activities at the country level focus on a) promoting safe and positive engagement platforms for youth to foster a greater sense of belonging and peer-to-peer support, and b) utilizing youth engagement platforms and support structures to provide young people with group-based skills and entrepreneurship development services and schemes. The project also comprises a regional component, that includes Uzbekistan and is co-led by UNDP Kazakhstan and UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH). The regional component is geared at fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration across the region’s stakeholders at different levels in Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), by generating evidence base on PVE through research, and building networks among youth, regional institutions, civil society, governments, and the international community around PVE.

Duties and Responsibilities

To assess overall performance against the project objective and the outcomes as set out in project document and other related documents.
To assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, value for money and client satisfaction of the project considering the findings for these criteria.
To prepare a methodology for evaluating project through engagement with project stakeholders. Conduct remote meetings (online or phone) and gather substantive feedback from project stakeholders (Government, UNDP, local and community-based organizations, young people and project beneficiaries), building on the criteria and questions listed above but not limited to them.
To provide recommendations for project’s next phase for the donor consideration.

In all above assessment points, gender equality, human rights and conflict sensitivity have to be reflected as crosscutting issues.

The questions listed above are not considered final and it is expected that the Evaluation Consultant will develop an Evaluation matrix, which will relate to the above questions (and refine them as needed), the areas they refer to, the criteria for evaluating them, the indicators and the means for verification as a tool for the Evaluation. Final Evaluation matrix will be approved in the Evaluation inception report.

The Evaluation Consultant is expected to work with UNDP offices involved in the project, key national stakeholders, key local leaders and focal points, implementing partners, young people and project beneficiaries.

*Scope of evaluation: The Evaluation will primarily address the criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact of the project results. Where discernible changes have occurred as a result of project interventions, the Evaluation should document evidence of this impact where it exists. The illustrative questions below examine the main planned areas of programmatic achievement as described in the Project Document, the Project Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and Global Performance Monitoring Framework. Questions are organized around each Evaluation criteria.

The evaluation will, to the greatest possible extent, be participatory, particularly with the involvement of young people as the main stakeholders of the project, but seek to be independent, credible and useful and adhere to the highest possible standards in Evaluation. It will be responsive to the needs and priorities of the region and serve as a mechanism for accountability and learning for UNDP. Moreover, the Evaluation will be consultative and engage the participation of a broad range of stakeholders. The Evaluation Consultant will be expected to work independently on the Evaluation although some organizational and technical support will be available from UNDP Country Offices and UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub.

For detailed SOW please refer to the TOR (https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=68039)

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Understand conflict sensitive and human rights-based approaches and gender mainstreaming in programming;
Understand results-based management principles, logic modeling/logical framework analysis;
Demonstrate ability to communicate with various partners including government, civil society, private sector, UN Agencies and other development donors;
Excellent organizational and time management skills;
Strong analytical and research skills and experience in undertaking of similar assignments;
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from different backgrounds to deliver quality products within a short timeframe;
Excellent report writing skills as well as communication and interviewing skills;
Be flexible and responsive to changes and demands;
Be client oriented.

Corporate Competencies:

Sound knowledge of the UNDP programming principles and procedures; the UNEG Evaluation Competency Framework, norms and standards; UNDP Evaluation Policy; conflict sensitivity and human rights-based approach (HRBA);
Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UNDP’s values and ethical standards;
Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Fulfill all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least MA in international affairs, political science, development studies, conflict resolution, economics, statistics, sociology, or a related social science.

Experience:

5 or more years of relevant professional experience is required, including previous substantive research experience and involvement in monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, result-based management (evaluations in PVE, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, conflict resolution and other relevant fields);
Experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis; participatory approaches;
Prior monitoring and evaluation experience in Central Asia (especially Central Asian countries) is an asset;
Knowledge of the social and political situation and regional development trends in Central Asian countries is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English language and proven report writing skills (in English) is required;
Russian language is an asset.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

The following documents only in PDF should be attached to the application (proposal) and sent by e-mail to the following address: procurement.kz@undp.org indicating Ref.2020-103 in the e-mail subject no later than 16.00 (Nur-Sultan time zone) 4 August 2020:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per UNDP template provided;
Detailed personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number);
Copies of higher education diplomas and other relevant documents;
A list of provided services in the field of the evaluation, monitoring and social studies in public policy, development studies, sociology or a related social science for the last three years;
Proposed methodology of final evaluation;
Evaluation Budget.

Due to the technical features of e-mail, the size of the file/s should not exceed 19 Mb per e-message.

Please make sure you have provided all requested above documents. ! ONLY fully submitted applications would be considered!!!

The type of Contract to be signed and the applicable UNDP Contract General Terms and Conditions, as specified in TOR, can be accessed at http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/procurement/business/how-we-buy.html

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.