Background
The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducts independent country programme evaluations (ICPEs) to capture and demonstrate 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 effort for achieving development results. The purpose of an ICPE is to:
- Support the development of the next UNDP Country Programme Document
- Strengthen accountability of UNDP to national stakeholders
- Strengthen accountability of UNDP to the Executive Board
This is the first ICPE to be conducted in South Sudan and it will take place during 2020 in the midst of the ongoing UNDP’s programme cycle 2019-2021 in the country, with a view to contributing to the preparation of the next UNDP’s programme. The ICPE will be conducted in close collaboration with the Government of South Sudan, UNDP South Sudan country office, and the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa.
The IEO is recruiting three (3) independent evaluators to work in one or more of the following thematic areas:
a) the area of governance and conflict-related programme with emphasis in peace, community cohesion, security, justice, rule of law and democracy. It will also support the data collection of the other two areas. Click here to access the full terms of reference for this consultancy.
b) the area of inclusive growth and livelihoods, with emphasis in elements such us the programmes for recovery, stabilization, resilience, local economy, climate change adaptation and food security. It will also support the data collection of the other two areas. Click here to access the full terms of reference for this consultancy.
c) the area of health programmes and The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. It will also support the data collection of the other two areas. Click here to access the full terms of reference for this consultancy.
In all areas, gender and youth will require a focused assessment as part of the outcome analysis. Please click here to access the full evaluation TOR. The duration of the consultancy will vary depending on the specific tasks, ranging around 25 workdays.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the IEO lead evaluator (LE), the consultants will contribute to the analysis of the country programme by providing technical expertise and knowledge in the assigned area(s), including cross-cutting areas, e.g. human rights, partnerships, gender, capacity building, etc. Their responsibilities will include:
- Conduct preliminary research and desk review, on the areas he/she will cover, based on reference material provided by the IEO and produce an inception report;
- Develop a data collection plan, in consultation with the lead evaluator and country office staff and based on the overall work plan.
- Participate in data collection activities prior to and during the in-country mission (if allowed, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions). They include interviews and meetings with relevant stakeholders, either virtually (via skype/zoom/telephone) or in person. Also develop an end-of-mission presentation on the main findings, preliminary conclusions and areas for recommendations based on preliminary triangulation of data from the data collection mission and desk review.
- Analyse and synthesize data by preparing individual outcome papers on the assigned thematic area. It will include programme outcome-level analysis and it will provide the core inputs to the main ICPE report as required by the LE.
- Participate in the evaluation team’s joint meetings and analysis of key findings, conclusions and recommendations leading to the preparation of the final report, and
- contribute to the various phases of revision and quality control of the ICPE report, as per comments received from the IEO, CO, Regional bureau and other stakeholders.
Competencies
Functional competencies
- Strong analytical skills, including ability to quickly assess a diverse range of information with a discerning sense for quality of data; and
- 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 conducts during the evaluation;
- Ability to work under pressure, multi-tasking skills; and
- Available to travel and conduct required analysis within the agreed timelines.
Corporate Competencies
- Familiarity with UNDP or UN operations in the country, region, globally;
- Knowledge of the country context, development issues and challenges; and
- Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, acting with professionalism, diplomacy, tact and courtesy.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
- A Master’s Degree, preferably a PhD, in a field relevant to the assignment.
Professional Experience
- A minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in one or more of the thematic areas under review and relevant fields (e.g. governance and conflict-related programme, peace and community cohesion, security, justice, rule of law, inclusive growth, livelihoods, poverty reduction, climate change adaptation and environmentally sustainable development, institutional accountability, health);
- Extensive experience in program evaluation and/or mastery of techniques and methods of data collection, interviews and quantitative and qualitative analysis;
- Experience in gender-sensitive programming and/or evaluation is desirable;
- Experience in conducting evaluations of UNDP country programmes in challenging environments (and remotely) will be an asset.
Other knowledge and skills
- Excellent analysis and synthesis skills;
- Familiarity with UNDP or UN operations in South Sudan or the region is desirable;
- Knowledge of the country context, past and current development issues and challenges is a must;
- Availability to travel (if allowed due to the restrictions from COVID-19 pandemic) and focus on the evaluation as required to deliver the outputs within the agreed timeframe.
Languages
- Excellent proven oral and drafting skills in English.
Application Instructions
Applicants are invited to upload as one combined document the following documents 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 that highlights your evaluation experience, particularly in South Sudan and includes thematic area of interest for the assignment.
Please note that the system can only accept one uploaded document therefore all documents must be combined into a single document for upload.