UNDP Jobs - 104828- Consultancy: Evaluation Consultant (Governance and

Consultancy: Evaluation Consultant (Governance and rule of law) - Independent Country Programme Evaluation, Bhutan

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Mar-22 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

End-March To December 2022

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducts independent country programme evaluations (ICPEs) to capture and present evaluative evidence of UNDP’s contributions to development results at the country level, as well as the effectiveness of UNDP’s strategy in facilitating and leveraging national efforts for achieving development results. The purpose of an ICPE is to support the development of the next UNDP country programme, strengthen accountability of UNDP to national stakeholders and the Executive Board and contribute to organizational learning and decision-making.

The Country Programme Document (CPD) 2019-2023 for Bhutan was developed in alignment to the priority areas identified in the UNSDCF. According to the CPD, UNDP Bhutan is programmatically expected to address two UNSDPF outcomes: (i) By 2023, Government institutions provide equal opportunities for all, and women and vulnerable groups hold leaders accountable (UNSDPF Outcome 3); (ii) By 2023, Bhutan’s vulnerable communities and its economy are more resilient to climate-induced and other disasters and biodiversity loss (UNSDPF Outcome 4).

The CPD plans to contribute to the following outcomes: (1) address inequality with a weak civil society and young judicial and legislative institutions, and (2) advance a climate-resilient, green and job-rich economy to continue poverty reduction.

The IEO is hiring one independent international evaluator to cover the area of governance and rule of law (outcome 1). The consultant will also support the assessment of cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, partnerships, coordination, capacity development, COVID-19 adaptation, among others and contribute to the overall preparation of ICPE 2019-2023 for Bhutan.

The assignment is home-based work (tentatively scheduled for early March to December 2022 with most work happening during April-June). The level of work is estimated at 32 working days.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the IEO Lead Evaluator, the consultant will:

Conduct preliminary research and desk review of relevant documents provided by the IEO for the assigned thematic area to feed into the evaluability and scoping efforts of the ICPE process;
Develop a data collection plan that will include a detailed list of stakeholders to consult virtually as well as finalized evaluation tools (e.g. draft evaluation matrix, draft pre-consultation questionnaire and tools will be provided by IEO and discussed within the team);
Collect, analyse and synthesize primary and secondary data for the assigned thematic area (no more than 15 interventions), through interviews and meetings (around 60 virtual interviews with relevant UN staff and key partners such as government counterparts, bilateral and multilateral partners, civil society organisations, target populations such as community leaders or beneficiaries, private sector and academia), site visits and observations (if possible). Recording will be required for all interviews;
Prepare an outcome analysis paper for the assigned thematic area and revise it as needed, as per comments received from the IEO, CO, Regional Bureau or other stakeholders;
Provide a performance rating the outputs and outcomes pertaining to the assigned thematic areas as per IEO’s new country programme rating system;
Participate in and contribute to the team’s working sessions, presentation of preliminary evaluation findings to the UNDP country office, and data triangulation as part of producing the final ICPE report;
Contribute to the preparation of the final ICPE report, as well as revisions based on comments received by relevant stakeholders;
Contribute and participate in the presentation of evaluation results to main national stakeholders via videoconference, as required.

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

Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, act with professionalism, diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

A Master’s Degree in a field relevant to the assignment is required.

Professional Experience

At least 10 years of relevant experience is required;
Substantive knowledge of governance, public administration, access to justice; knowledge of human rights and gender equality is required;
Extensive experience in programme evaluation, including mastery of qualitative data collection methods and techniques;
Excellent quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, with demonstrated experience in robust data triangulation;
Experience in gender/disability-responsive evaluation is desirable;
Familiarity with UNDP or UN operations in the country or region is desirable;
Knowledge of the country context, development issues, and challenges is desirable.

Languages

Ability to work in English is mandatory;
Excellent proven analysis, synthesis and writing skills in English is required;
Knowledge of local languages is desirable.

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 and Submission of Financial Proposal Form that indicates your daily rate for this consultancy;
A short cover letter, highlighting previous evaluation experience, preferably in Bhutan, and any thematic experience related to areas of the UNDP’s work. The candidates should indicate in the cover letter the period available for the assignment and confirmation of having no conflict of interest, no prior engagement with the technical design and delivery of UNDP Bhutan projects between 2020 and the present.