Antecedentes

Brief context

Almost ten years after the beginning of the Syria conflict, United Nations agencies and NGOs have warned that the situation of Syrian refugees and their host communities is becoming increasingly critical. According to the latest Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) estimates, more than 10 million people – including more than 5.5 million Syrian refugees and 4.8 million members of their host communities – need urgent support. This is the highest number of people in need in these countries since the crisis began, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and tough socio-economic conditions. In addition, the number of those in Iraq who remain internally displaced in 2020 is 1.35 million people (70% of which have remained displaced for over three years) with 4.1 million still in need of humanitarian assistance. 

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, restrictions on movement and enterprise affected the economy and put increasing pressures on governorates and municipalities and forced them to re-adjust priorities – which strained the relationship between state and citizens/community groups further. Thus, a virus that forces people to remain at home heightened the need for access to housing, basic services, and sustainable jobs – including those that respond to emerging market opportunities and can withstand crisis shocks.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The project to be evaluated

The project: “Strengthening the Long-Term Resilience of Subnational Authorities in countries affected by the Syrian and Iraqi Crises”, also known as” Headway,” project is a UNDP/UN-Habitat joint action intervening in countries affected by the impact of the Syria crisis over a period of 36 months with a set of tangible results achieved in Iraq. The day-to-day implementation of the Headway project was carried out by the respective UNDP and UN-Habitat country offices in Iraq.

Main goal

The main goal of the Headway project is to improve the resilience of host and refugee population in targeted communities impacted by the Syrian crisis, through strengthened local/regional multi-level governance systems, and improved access to basic services, affordable housing, and income, while complementing existing initiatives and supporting national governments address those risks and vulnerabilities where a UN joint-partnership brings a strong added value. This will be done with a view to supporting the long-term capacity of host country to address refugee flows.

Purpose and scope of the evaluation

UNDP Iraq and UN-Habitat Iraq propose to conduct a final evaluation looking at the Headway project since inception in January 2019 to 31 December 2021. The final evaluation is part of the project’s commitment to assess the achievement of project results against what was expected to be achieved and draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of similar future programming. The evaluation report promotes accountability and transparency and assesses the extent of Headway project accomplishments. The final evaluation will also consider linkages and intersections of UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) and UN-Habitat’s CPD with result areas spearheaded by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCDF) for Iraq. 

Geographically, the final evaluation of the Headway project will assess the interventions in project intervention areas only in Iraq specifically in the four target Governorates of Dohuk, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Ninewa in Iraq. 

Evaluation stakeholders include individuals and organizations from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society, and development partners. The evaluation consultant will be expected to identify these groups of stakeholders in coordination with UNDP and UN-Habitat and contact identified groups for data collection and/or consultations. Key findings and recommendations of the final evaluation will be shared with them for validation as relevant.

Objectives of the evaluation

The specific objectives of this Headway project final evaluation are to:

1. Take stock of the overall Headway project progress in Iraq, achieved against the project’s expected results, and contribution towards the UNDP and UN-Habitat CPDs.
2. Outline lessons learned and good practices that can be used in future identification, design, regular review, implementation, and monitoring of similar interventions.
3. Provide constructive and practical recommendations on factors that can contribute to Headway project sustainability and develop project transition and exit strategy.
4. Appraise Headway project achievements against its expected outputs and recommend ways to improve future partnerships with project's implementing partners/ target groups.
5. Assess relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the project.

The intended users of this Headway final evaluation include:

• Headway project staff and senior management of UNDP and UN-Habitat,

• Government of Iraq counterparts,
• Development partners and donors, and
• The general Iraqi public and beneficiaries.

Information from the evaluation will be used to:

• improve future project design and implementation,
• ensure accountability, and
• increase knowledge and understanding of the benefits and challenges of similar interventions in future.

Evaluation Criteria 

The final evaluation will generate evidence of progress and challenges, helping to ensure accountability for the implementation of the Headway project, as well as identifying and sharing knowledge and good practices. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability will be used to frame the questions and methodology of the evaluation.

An indicative list of evaluation questions is presented in the TOR and will be broadened and agreed further by the evaluation team, UNDP and UN-Habitat through the inception report. The consultant is expected to critically reflect on them during the development of the evaluation questionnaires.

Methodology

The consultant will propose a project evaluation methodology and agree on a detailed plan for the assignment as part of the application process. The methodology will be further updated after the selection process is completed, and the inception report is developed. However, in general, the consultant should adopt an integrated approach involving mixed methods of data collection and analysis tools to capture both the quantitative and qualitative results and generate evidence to substantiate all findings.

Given the multi-governorate/city nature of Headway project activities, it is important that the consultant design a data collection methodology that is representative of all components of the project in Iraq and analyze in a consistent manner within the given timeframe. The methodology should be robust enough to ensure high quality, triangulation of data sources, and verifiability of information.

It is expected that the evaluation methodology would include, but would not be limited to the elements detailed in the TOR.

Evaluation Products (Deliverables)

The Consultant will produce the following:

1. Evaluation inception Report (15 pgs. max) and presentation.

2. Evaluation debriefing after completion of the field work in Iraq.

3. Draft evaluation report (50 pgs. max, including executive summary) and presentation.

4. Final evaluation report and two summary reports

Please refer to the TOR, for details of the deliverables. 

Implementation Arrangements

The final Headway project evaluation is jointly commissioned by UNDP and UN-Habitat and the joint commissioners are UNDP Iraq’s Resident Representative and UN-Habitat’s Head of Country Programme. Principally, the evaluation consultant will be reporting to the UNDP Resident Representative who will continuously collaborate with UN-Habitat counterpart and respective Headway project managers who will support the process by providing both substantive and logistical support to the consultant. 

Time Frame For The Evaluation Process

The detailed timelines for this Headway project evaluation will be agreed upon between the UNDP/UN-Habitat and the selected Consultant. The final evaluation will take place between 15 October 2021 to 15 December 2021, including a combination of the three phases of desk-review (home-based), data-collection mission (one in-country) and evaluation report writing (home-based). The consultant will be based in Erbil (Iraq) as per the requirements. Whenever possible, the consultant will be required to visit partners and activities on locations. The security situation in each location will be reviewed prior to roll out of the final field visit plan. The final deliverable is expected to be completed not later than 15 December 2021.

Indicative Payment Schedule

The consultant is expected to deliver the following deliverables. It should be noted that the following list of deliverables might be subject to review and revision by UNDP and UN-Habitat in discussion with the consultant in the event of unexpected changes to the context / working environment in Iraq during the consultancy period. Payments will be made upon acceptance and approval by UNDP focal point of the planned deliverables, based on the following tentative payment schedule:

Application Submission Process and Criteria For Selection

Interested qualified and experienced individual consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications and interest:

1. Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. Most Updated Personal detailed CV including previous experience in similar assignment;
3. At least 3 professional references relevant to the assignment announced;
4. Standard UN P11 Form
5. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a detailed methodology on how the candidate will approach and conduct the work;
6. Two samples of evaluation reports done/authored within the past three years. 
7. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. The term “all inclusive” implies all cost (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances etc.)

While preparing your proposal, kindly note that:

• UNDP will provide office space with access to the internet and printer when in-country in Erbil in Iraq.
• UNDP and UN-Habitat will provide list of additional documents as per TOR Annexes.
• The Consultant is expected to:
  • Use their own laptop/s, and other relevant software/equipment.
  • Use their own communication platforms, mobile, personal email address etc., during the consultancy period, including when in-country.
  • Make own travel arrangements to fly in-country and transportation arrangements outside work hours.
  • Be fluent in Arabic or arrange for a translator to facilitate interviews with counterparts and other respondents.

• All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal including all travel within Iraq or outside the duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket.
• In cases where UNDP arranges and provides travel and/or accommodation due to security and other reasons, it should be noted that these costs will be deducted from the payments to the consultant.
• In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon in writing, between UNDP and the consultant prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Note: Applicants must not have worked in the design or implementation of this Headway project or in an advisory capacity for any of the interventions, directly as consultants or through UNDP/UN-Habitat service providers.

Submitted proposals will be assessed using Cumulative Analysis Method. The proposals will be weighed according to the technical proposal (carrying 70%) and financial proposal (carrying 30%). Technical proposals should obtain a minimum of 70 points to qualify and to be considered. Financial proposals will be opened only for those application that obtained 70 or above in the technical proposal. For detailed criteria and points for technical and financial proposals can be found in the TOR. 

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

• Knowledge on UNDP and UN-Habitat programming principles and procedures, the UN evaluation framework, norms, and standards; human rights-based approach (HRBA).
• Demonstrates commitment to the UN values and ethical standards.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly and with impartiality.
• Good communication, presentation and report writing skills including proven ability to write concise, readable, and analytical reports and high-quality publications in English.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• Flexible and responsive to changes and demands.
• Client-oriented and open to feedback.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Demonstrates good knowledge of the Iraq economic issues, challenges, and opportunities.
• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to overall reform programmes.
• Develops deep knowledge in practice area.
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills. 
• Networks in Government, NGOs, and private sector.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Planning and organizing: Identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary and, uses time efficiently.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and, responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and, exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and, format to match the audience and, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect.
• Quality of deliverables: Professional skill required for delivering outputs will be assessed.
• Satisfactory and timely deliverables: Satisfactory and timely completion of tasks and submission of the deliverables within the provision of above explained deliverables and, outputs.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Minimum Master’s degree in Governance, Sociology, Development studies, Public Administration, Peace and conflict studies or any other field relevant to the assignment.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of professional expertise in evaluation of socio-economic stabilization, crisis response and recovery, development, or social transformation projects in post-conflict environments.
• At least 10 years of experience on project design, Results-Based Management (RBM) and participatory Monitoring and Evaluation methodologies and approaches is essential.
• Experience in data collection, instrument development and data analysis both qualitative and quantitative is essential.
• Experience in conducting evaluations for large, and complex projects in post-conflict settings is essential.
• Experience working in, and knowledge of the Arab region is essential.
• Experience in working with UN or other international organizations would be an asset.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and proven ability to draft recommendations stemming from key findings.
• Excellent report writing skills (supported by similar sample of evaluation reports) is essential.
• Experience using ICT equipment, office software packages and online meeting software.
• Experience in implementing evaluations remotely.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS:

When submitting your documents, please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application system only allows to upload maximum of one document.

Failure to submit the REQUIRED documents or Incomplete proposals shall result in disqualification

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THE ANNEXES ARE AVAILABLE AND CAN BE DOWNLOADED in the following link:  

IC-070/21 - International consultancy: Final project evaluation (Headway Project)

ANNEX I- Terms of Reference (TOR)/Procurement Notice 

ANNEX II - Offeror’s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability and Financial Proposal

ANNEX III - IC Contract template and General Terms and Conditions 

ANNEX IV - P11 Form for IC