Background

Youth unemployment rate in Cambodia is only 3.3% and an adult unemployment rate only 1.1%. Yet, the  vast majority of the labor force works in the informal sector.  Although estimates for the informal sector are not available, it is likely that most of the vulnerable workers are in the informal economy, where earnings are low, there is no access to social protection or security of job or income, and labor standards are usually poor. Furthermore, women are predominantly at higher risk than men to remain in vulnerable employment and are more likely to be engaged in informal employment.

The Multi-media Initiative for Youth (MIY) project is established to support the Cambodian young people (aged 15-30) to improve their knowledge and efficacy (confidence in their ability), individually and collectively, to work together better among themselves and with older people to achieve common goals. The project has been implemented in two phases. The phase I was implemented from November 2014 to June 2016 and phase II from July 2016 to December 2018. The project is co-funded by the Swedish Government and UNDP with. the BBC Media Action is the main Implementing Partner of the project.

The project has undertaken two major activities, which include: 1) Delivery of youth-oriented employment education through multi-media platforms such as TV, radio and social media; programmes; and outreach activities; 2) Capacity development for Cambodian youth through capacity strengthening activities with the National Employment Agency.

In 2016, UNDP Cambodia conducted a Mid-term Review (MTR) of the MIY project in order to assess the overall progress towards project intended objectives, CPAP and UNDAF outcomes and to inform BBC Media Action and UNDP about necessary adjustments and future directions. The findings from MTR were used to adjust the existing project approach and arrangement to maximize the impacts of the project.

According to the project document, a qualitative project evaluation is further needed to assess the overall achievements at the end of the project in light of the evolving of country context and recommend possible intervention in preparation for the development of the next phase of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The evaluator is expected to frame this evaluation exercise using the OECD/DAC evaluation criterion including relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact, as defined and explained in the UNDP’s Handbook on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluating for Results[1].

Relevance: to evaluate the relevance of the MIY’s strategy, design and implementation arrangements in Cambodia’s development context while also considering future challenges, particularly with the Middle-income transition. This includes overall relevance of the MIY strategy in responding to the national priorities.

Effectiveness: to evaluate how effective MIY was in achieving its objectives during each year of its four years of implementation. The evaluation will also look at how the project identified, managed and mitigated risks and will provide practical recommendations concerning the improvement of future project effectiveness.

Efficiency: To the extent possible, the evaluation will compare the benefits from MIY with the budget to assess how efficient the project is. The evaluation will provide practical recommendations regarding how to improve the efficiency, as required.

Impact: the consultant is expected to analyze both how capacity has been developed and how project achievements contribute to future strengthening of capacities both the youths and national institutions.

Sustainability: The evaluation will assess how the project’s achievements contribute to sustainability by engaging appropriate Government, non-Government and community level stakeholders.

Gender mainstreaming: Has the MIY project ensured that it has delivered an inclusive approach? Has gender mainstreaming at all levels of the project cycle been delivered to ensure this?

 [1] http://web.undp.org/evaluation/guidance.shtml

Interested Offerors must visit this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=49733  to download Individual Consultant Procurement Notice, Terms of Reference, and Document Templates to be included when submitting this online application

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal, communication and analytical skills, ability to coordinate and synchronize work with diverse cultural backgrounds and ability to work in different environments.
• High skill in problem identification and strong analytical skill for recommended improvement and future intervention.
• Ability to deliver quality products in high stress or short deadline situations
• Excellent written and English communication skills with a demonstrated ability to assess complex situations in order to succinctly and clearly distil critical issues and draw forward looking conclusions,
• Ability to communicate in person and writing with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, UNDP, donors and civil society, and ability to work collaboratively on-line and via e-mail.
• Be flexible and responsive to changes as part of the review and feedback process.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: A Master's Degree or higher in Communication/Media, Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Social and Political Sciences or Development Studies.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experiences in conducting monitoring and evaluations of development projects/programs in related areas,
• Strong knowledge youth employment issues in the context of Asia preferably in Cambodia
• Good knowledge on multi-media and communication approaches for development projects/programmes,
• Knowledge and experiences working in with UN agencies or multilateral/bilateral development agencies.

Language Requirement: Fluency in oral and written English

Interested Offerors must visit this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=49733 to download Individual Consultant Procurement Notice, Terms of Reference, and Document Templates to be included when submitting this online application.

UNDP reserves right to reject any applications that is incomplete.

Please be informed that we don’t accept application submitted via email.

Interested Offerors are required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system as the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email aphikovith.phin@undp.org and cc procurement.kh@undp.org . While the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 5 working days prior to the submission deadline will be entertained. Any delay in providing such information will not be considered as a reason for extending the submission deadline. The UNDP's response (including an explanation of the query but without identifying the source of inquiry) will be posted in Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain update related to this Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice.