Background

Background Information
The UN Kosovo Team (UNKT) led by the UN Development Coordinator provides guidance to strategic planning; coordinates programmatic and inter-agency activities and projects; represents and supports 21 UN development entities; promotes UNKT public information and advocacy on development issues and oversees performance of the UNKT, as is reflected in the reporting mechanism regulated in accordance with the UNDG policies.

UN Women merges the mandates of four previously distinct entities [Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)]. The Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review (TCPR) of Operational Activities for Development of the UN System called on all UN organizations to: mainstream gender and to pursue gender equality in their country programmes, planning instruments and sector-wide programmes and to articulate specific country-level goals and targets in this field in accordance with the national development strategies.  Main element of the TCRP is the ‘Accounting for Gender Equality’ Scorecard that sets minimum standards for UNKTs to assess their performance, and to identify gaps and progress across the system on gender issues.UNKT has launched a five years strategic planning document named ‘Common Development Plan (CDP) 2011-2015’, to maximize its resources and increase common impact of UNKT. The joint actions are divided to the four Strategic Themes: I. Legislative and Policy Frameworks for Social Inclusion; II. Accountability for Delivering on Social Inclusion; III. Local Participation & Empowerment; and IV. Environmental Health and Protection. Implementation of these areas ensures a more strategic and results oriented cooperation between the UN actors on policy, programming, knowledge and advocacy. One of the structural bodies of the CDP is the joint platform for policy, advocacy and communication - the ‘Knowledge and Advocacy Hub’ (Hub).
 
This inter-agency Hub serves as a virtual intellectual resource for all UNKT work, specifically geared towards achievement of CDP goals as well as the Paris and Bussan Principle of aid management for results. Its primary tasks are to provide the analytical and evidence basis to enable CDP oversight at the strategic level utilizing the work of the Theme Groups. The Hub’s three areas of operation are:
  1. Policy Research & Analysis;
  2. Monitoring & Evaluation;
  3. Communication and Advocacy

Two years into the implementation of the CDP, proper monitoring of the achievements of the results is seen as a challenge due to:

1. The CDP outputs were planned on the basis of ‘mobilized’ and ‘planned’ resources;
2. The baselines of the CDP framework were vague, in lack of reliable data. Lack of defined baselines pose problem in monitoring process.

Against this background, the UNKT is hiring an M&E expert to work on the review of the CDP strategic areas and TCPR (‘Accounting for Gender Equality’ Scorecard) in close cooperation with the UNKT members and the relevant Kosovo institutions.

Objectives of Assignment
The purpose of this review is to assess the achievements and progress made against planned outputs, and as well as to identify challenges and lessons learnt over the first two and a half years of the CDP. In addition, the TCPRs ‘Accounting for Gender Equality’ Scorecard will be implemented. AGE scorecard sets minimum standards for UNKT to assess its performance and to identify gaps and progress across the system. The review will also allow for inclusion emerging issues in the current CDP and elaboration of recommendations in response to the UN’s assistance to Kosovo’s priorities for a greater development impact. The HUB is responsible for this process, represented by designated representatives of UN agencies who are tasked to carry on with the planning, implementation and monitoring of the achievements of the CDP on yearly bases, and TCRP on triennially basis. The Expert will be supported by the HUB members and UNKT gender focal points, responsible for the initial sector programme review which will be conducted in close collaboration with their stakeholders. The achievements will synergize with the UNKT’s communications team who will promote these achievements to the broader public.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work
The M&E and Gender Consultant is required to ensure support to the UN Development Coordinator (UNDC) and her team to analyse CDP objectives against achievements, as well as implement the research related to TCRP. The consultant will review all key CDP and TCRP documents and monitoring indicators identified during the drafting process. The Consultancy will refine the existing M&E framework in close cooperation with the members of the Hub and gender focal points, and present the updates, scores and complete report to the UNKT.
 
Expected Results
The M&E and Gender Consultant will be requested to be available for a maximum of 11 weeks within 15 September 2013 to 16 April 2014 out of which 2 weeks strictly dedicated to gender score card.  All payments to the M&E Consultant will be processed on a monthly basis lump sum tranche based on completed tasks and upon submission of monthly time sheet. The consultant will be working from home with occasional work to be provided within the Office of the Development Coordinator or other UNKT offices. 

The M&E and Gender Consultant will work under direct supervision of the UN Coordination Specialist,  under the guidance of the UN Development Coordinator and the UNDP Deputy Res-Rep to as well as the representative of the UNWOMEN:

  • To review and revise the UNKT CDP 2011 – 2015 Results Matrix for coherence/alignment, taking into consideration feedback from the UN Agencies, including making the necessary subsequent revisions to the indicators;
  • Assess and establish baselines, targets and means of verification aligned to CDP;
  • Provide a list of gender-sensitive outcome and output indicators that can be included in the CDP M&E framework;
  • Provide desk review  analysis and update to reflect changes in the current development context;
  • Review indicators of the UNSF results matrix;
  • Bring forward good practices of outcome indicators from other countries across the UN system or other relevant examples; Present the revised UNKT CDP 2011 – 2015 Results Matrix and M&E Framework to the Heads of Agencies for endorsement;
  • Preparation of a document reflecting CDP two year implementation achievements and gaps identified for a high level event with stakeholders and partners;
  • Provide a mid-term review on CDP implementation in close cooperation with the MERP team.
  • Assist UNKT in identifying areas in which they are meeting or not meeting minimum gender standards.
  • To stimulate a constructive dialogue within the UNKT about the current status of support for gender equality and women’s empowerment and how it can be improved.
  • To identify where technical assistance can support the achievement of minimum standards.
  • To share good practice in supporting national priorities to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Deliverables / Final Products Expected
  • Successful facilitation of a two-day M&E CDP workshop.
  • A finalized, high-quality UNKT CDP Results Matrix and M&E framework document (including indicators, baselines, targets, means of verification, reporting timelines, responsible agencies).
  • Analysis of the mid-term CDP review.
  • A draft set of indicators for inclusion in CDP results matrix and M&E framework.
  • Review of background documents of TCRP:  Scorecard and Users’ Guide, UNCT planning and programming documents, National Action Plan, UNKT joint programmes and respective budgets.
  • Approximately 15-20 interviews with: Resident Coordinator,  TG Gender , TG M&E, Other staff, counterparts,  government ministries (eg planning), and civil society.
  • Completion of draft Scorecard and narrative report.
  • Verbal debriefing with UNDCO/UNKT, completion of final Scorecard, narrative report and follow-up matrix, and debrief with UNDG Task Team

Competencies

Competencies

  • Experience in developing, implementing and monitoring of strategic planning documents;
  • High competencies in monitoring and evaluation;
  • Ability to work and deliver outputs under pressure;
  • Good communication skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment;
  • Adapt at working in a highly pressured professional environment and sensitive to deadlines;
  • Self-motivated and able to recommend constructive solutions to challenges;
  • Exceptional technical and analytical writing capabilities;
  • Ability to complete the Gender Scorecard, narrative report and follow-up matrix in English
  • Participatory and interactive approach to consultancy work;
  • Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master’s degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Economics or related Social Sciences.

Experience:

  • At least five years of professional development related work experience at the national and/or international level.
  • Experience should be related to senior levels of programme analysis, monitoring and evaluation of complex level frameworks and/or strategic plans involving multiple stakeholders;
  • At least five years’ experience of work on results based management
  • Excellent conceptual and analytical abilities;
  • Excellent technical skills in measurement and evaluation, including grasp of methodological and operational dimensions and the ability to link corporate and country level issues;
  • Knowledge of UN programmatic processes in Kosovo is needed;
  • Familiarity with the UN system would be a strong asset;
  • Proven ability work under pressure and with very demanding deadlines

Language and Computer Requirements:

  • Excellent oral and written English communication skills;
  • Superior computer literacy.
Scope of price proposal and schedule of payments
Lump Sum Amount:
  • Clearly state that the lump sum amount must be all-inclusive;
  • Clearly state that the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components;
Recommended Presentation of Offer
 
The following documents are requested:
  • Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
  • Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Offeror and at least three (3) professional references;
  • Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
  • Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.  If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP. 
Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer
  • Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%;