Background

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducts independent country programme evaluations (ICPEs) to assess UNDP’s contribution to national development priorities and the effectiveness of its strategy. The purpose of an ICPE is to: i) support the development of the next UNDP Country Programme Document; and ii) strengthen UNDP’s accountability to national stakeholders and to the Executive Board.

The IEO will conduct the ICPE for UNDP country programme in Nepal in 2021, covering the period of 2018-2022. Results of the evaluation are expected to feed into the preparation of a new programme starting from 2023.

The IEO is seeking national or international evaluation consultants for the assessment of the following programme outcome areas as defined in the UNDP country programme in Nepal and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The candidates may apply for one or more outcome areas below based on their expertise. Analysis of cross-cutting issues such as gender will be part of all areas.

1. Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth supports poverty reduction, sustainable job creation, and livelihood at national and subnational levels, improvement of the business environment, access to energy, and pro-poor development planning, monitoring, and policy support.
2. Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights supports government effectiveness, participation, and accountability, in the context of the federalist structure introduced in 2015.  Key areas include access to justice, local governance, and capacity building for the parliament and elections.
3. Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change supports climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk reduction and disaster preparedness, early recovery, promoting pro-poor environmental management, and renewable energy access.

The evaluation is expected to address the following evaluation questions, based on which data collection and analysis will be carried out. Given that the Global COVID-19 pandemic has presented UNDP with considerable challenges in implementing its ongoing programme of work in line with its initial plan, this ICPE will include the assessment on the degree to which UNDP has been able to adapt to the crisis and support Nepal’s preparedness, response to the pandemic and its ability to recovery meeting the new development challenges that the pandemic has highlighted, or which may have emerged:

1. What did the UNDP country programme intend to achieve during the period under review?
2. To what extent has the programme achieved (or is likely to achieve) its intended objectives?
3. To what extent has UNDP been able to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and support country’s preparedness, response and recovery process?
4. What factors contributed to or hindered UNDP’s performance and eventually, to the sustainability of results?

The main evaluation phase, including desk reviews, data collection and analysis, report drafting, are expected to take place between Q2 and Q3, starting from April 2021.  The duration of the consultancy will vary depending on the specific assignment but ranging between around 20 to 35 working days per outcome. The Terms of Reference for the specific positions will be provided to the candidates who meet the required qualifications. The general information about the IEO and its publications, including past ICPE reports, are available at its website: http://web.undp.org/evaluation/.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultants will work closely with the IEO staff as part of the evaluation team. 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 the assessment of cross-cutting areas, e.g. human rights, partnerships, gender equality and women’s empowerment, capacity building, etc. Their responsibilities will include:

• Conduct desk reviews of reference material provided by the IEO and prepare a preliminary analysis based on the provided assessment framework.
• Conduct data collection activities in accordance with the terms of reference for the post, including interviews and meetings with relevant stakeholders (*Virtual and/ or in person, if feasible).
• Prepare individual reports (programme outcome-level analysis).
• Participate in various meetings organized by the IEO Lead Evaluator, including the launch meetings, regular briefings, and those with the country office as required.
• Review and contribute to the draft ICPE report. Once a draft ICPE report has been prepared by the IEO, review and comment on the overall report, including the contextual analysis. Correct any errors and/or misinterpretation in the initial analysis and data. Contribute to the formulation of the ‘recommendations,’ which should be sensible to and reflect Nepal’s context.

Competencies

Functional competencies

• Strong analytical and organizational skills, including ability to digest, assess and keep track of a diverse range of information with a discerning sense for quality of data
• 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 conduct during the evaluation
• Ability to work under pressure, multi-tasking skills with flexibility
• Ability to conduct required analysis in a timely manner, within the agreed timelines.

Corporate Competencies

• Familiarity with UNDP or UN work; 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 each of fields relevant the outcome area(s) that the candidate wishes to collaborate with the IEO under this assignment. The candidate may select one or more of the outcome areas. The outcome areas and required fields of expertise are listed below:

• Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth: economics, inclusive development, development studies or a relevant field;
• Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights: human rights, rule of law, justice, public policy, social policy, public management, democracy studies or any other relevant field;
• Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change: environmental studies, energy, disaster risk reduction, climate change, natural resources management, sustainable development or a relevant field.

Professional Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of work experience in the interested topical areas;
• Experience in conducting evaluations in development setting, and familiarity with techniques and methods of data collection and quantitative and qualitative analysis;
• Knowledge of UN/UNDP mandate, operations, and programme areas, preferably in Nepal or in the South Asia region;
• Familiarity with the Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals, and international development and policy mechanisms;
• Experience in providing strategic, policy-level advisory services; gender analysis for development programmes.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required with strong writing skills.
• Native or working knowledge of Nepali is an asset.

Application Instructions

Applicants are requested to upload as one combined document the following material to the UNDP Jobs site:

• CV in the format known as P11;
• A completed  Confirmation Of Interest Form  that indicates your daily rate for this consultancy;
• A short cover letter, highlighting previous evaluation experience, preferably in Nepal or the Eastern Europe region, and any thematic experience related to areas of the UNDP’s work. The candidates should indicate in the cover letter the outcome area(s) of their interest under the assignment, the period available for the assignment (*The evaluation is expected to take place from April throughout Q2/3), and confirmation of having no conflict of interest, no prior engagement with the technical design and delivery of UNDP Nepal projects between 2018 and the present.