Background
Tajikistan, with 93% of its territory covered with mountains, is disaster prone country. Mudflows, landslides and floods are most frequent, followed by avalanches and small-scale earthquakes. Disasters in Tajikistan are most often local, frequently affecting the more inaccessible piedmont and mountain areas of the country.
In 2016, Disaster Risk Management Programme (DRMP) of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tajikistan has launched the new project on “Strengthening Preparedness and Response Capacities” (SPRC) which was implemented from 2016-2018 in close cooperation with the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. The main goal of the project was to build the capacities of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense in preparedness to disaster response operations and strengthen the National disaster response system in Tajikistan.
The Component 1 of the project dealt with the establishment of a Unified Emergency Preparedness and Response System for emergency situations to ensure better coordination of the preparedness and response amongst government structures. In particular the legislation basis will be reviewed to develop a roadmap for setting this system, based on the Russian model of unified preparedness and response system, including development of the system protocols and SOPs.
The Component 2 of the project supplemented Component 1 by building the technical capacities on disaster preparedness and response, and targeted the Search and Rescue teams. In addition to already revealed gaps, a capacity needs assessment, institutional and technical with special focus to central SAR teams was conducted. Procurement of heavy machinery to improve preparedness and to enable timely and qualified response was prioritized within this component. To ensure the proper O&M of the equipment, a business plan was developed.
By the end of this project, it is expected that the government structures will be able to coordinate effectively and the development of response plan in case of disasters, and lead the search and rescue interventions.
Project interventions contributed to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework/Coutnry Programme Document outcomes that states “People in Tajikistan are more resilient to natural and man-made disasters resulting from improved policy and operational frameworks for environmental protection and sustainable management of natural resources”, and, furthermore, contribute to the overall development challenge of Sustainable Development Goal 13 that addresses combating climate change and its impacts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Goals and objectives:
UNDP in Tajikistan is seeking for an International Consultant, who, in consultation with UNDP CO Programme Analyst on Energy and Environment, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, as well as in close cooperation with key national stakeholders and other relevant counterparts will bear responsibility to conduct Final Evaluation of the UNDP project “Strengthening Preparedness and Response Capacities” (SPRC) in accordance with the guidance, rules and procedures established by UNDP and as reflected in the UNDP Evaluation Policy.
The main purpose of the Final Evaluation is to assess whether the project achieved or did not achieve results outlined in the Project Document as well as to critically examine the presumed causal chains, processes and contextual factors that enhanced or impeded the achievement of results.
The key elements of the methodology to be used during the Project Final Evaluation will consist of (but not limited to) the following:
- Documentation review (desk study);
- Interview(s) with key partners and stakeholders;
- Focus groups;
- Questionnaires;
- Participatory techniques, SWOT analysis and other approaches for data gathering and analysis.
An assessment of project performance will be carried out, based against expectations set out in the Project Logical Framework/Results Framework which provides performance and impact indicators for project implementation along with their corresponding means of verification.
Duties and responsibilities:
The International Consultant will be responsible to assess the achievement of Project results and draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming. Specifically, an International Consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:
- Detailed desk review of the documents produced during the project implementation period (both by Project and Government), development of an Inception Report, consisting of draft methodology, detailed work plan and Final Evaluation (FE) outline (No later than 1 week before the evaluation mission);
- Briefing with UNDP Country Office team, agreement on the methodology, scope and outline of the FE report;
- Interviews with stakeholders, project implementation partners, relevant Government, NGO and donor representatives and UNDP Regional Technical Advisor;
- Site visit to the project pilots;
- Debriefing with UNDP Country Office team;
- Development and submission of the first draft of FE report. The draft will be shared with the UNDP Country Office team, UNDP Regional Technical Advisors and key project stakeholders for review and commenting (within 1 week after the evaluation mission).
- Finalization and submission of the Final Evaluation report through incorporating suggestions received on the draft report (within 1 week after the receipt of final comments from UNDP);
- Supervision of the work of the National Consultant (during entire evaluation period).
The International Consultant is expected to frame the evaluation effort using the criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact, as defined and explained in the UNDP corporate policies and guidelines:
Relevance
- Assess the contribution of the Project towards the achievement of national objectives, UNDAF goals/outputs and UNDP Strategic Plan.
- Analyze whether the project’s overall interventions address the needs and demands of the beneficiaries.
Effectiveness
- Review whether the Project has accomplished its outputs.
- Assess the performance of the Project with particular reference to qualitative and quantitative achievements of outputs and targets as defined in the Project documents and work-plans and with reference to the Project baseline.
- Analyze the underlying factors within and beyond implementing agency’s (UNDP) control that affect the Project (including analysis of the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats affecting the achievement of the Project).
- Assesses to what extent the project has addressed gender considerations and promoted gender equality throughout its implementation
Efficiency
- Assess whether the Project has utilized Project funding as per the agreed work plan to achieve the projected targets.
- Analyze the role of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and whether this forum is optimally being used for decision making.
- Assess the timeline and quality of the reporting followed by the Project.
- Analyze the performance of the M&E mechanism of the Project and the use of various M&E tools (any socio-economic data available to the project etc.).
- Assess the qualitative and quantitative aspects of management and other inputs (such as equipment, monitoring and review and other technical assistance and budgetary inputs) provided by the project vis-à-vis achievement of outputs and targets.
- Identify factors and constraints, which have affected Project implementation including technical, managerial, organizational, institutional and socio-economic policy issues in addition to other external factors unforeseen during the Project design.
Sustainability and Impact
- Assess preliminary indications of the degree to which the Project results are likely to be sustainable beyond the Project’s lifetime (both at the community and government level), and provide recommendations for strengthening sustainability.
- Assess the sustainability of the Project interventions in terms of their effect on environment.
Network /linkages
- Evaluate the level, degree and representation by the beneficiaries and stakeholders, (government and donor partners etc.) in the implementation of the Project (with particular attention to the development, testing of community based approaches towards assets creation and income diversification, especially for poor and women and accessing technical assistance inputs outside the project).
- Assess the Project’s knowledge management strategy and outreach and communications to all stakeholders.
Lessons learnt/ Conclusions
- Analyze areas for improved programme planning, especially with respect to setting targets, relevance and capacity of institutions for project decision making and delivery.
- Identify significant lessons or conclusions which can be drawn from the Project in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and networking. Special attention may be given to the security situation and the coping strategies developed by the project to maintain work momentum.
For detailed information, please refer to annex 2- Terms of Reference of the below link.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
- Professionalism;
- Communication;
- Teamwork;
- Accountability.
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
- Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Management, Development Studies, Urban and Regional Planning or other relevant discipline.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of professional experience in the field of Disaster Risk Management, Climate Risk Reduction, Resilient Building, Vulnerability Reduction or a related field;
- At least 5 years of proven professional experience in conducting project evaluations, consultancies and or developing capacity building programming for UN funded projects;
- Proven experience in report writing and drafting;
- Demonstrated experience in development of recommendations focused on results and impact, with a strong understanding of value for money concepts;
- Past experience in working with the UN, and UNDP in particular, would be an advantage.
Language:
- Fluency in English is required; Working knowledge of Russian will be considered as an asset.
Application Procedure:
Please follow the link to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice:
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.