Assessment of the Development Account Project 1819AG Rural-Urban linkages for inclusive development in Colombia

Result of Service DELIVERABLES

The assessment will include the following outputs: a) Work Plan and Inception Report. No later than 4 weeks after the signature of the contract, the consultant should deliver the inception report, which should include the background of the project, an analysis of the Project profile and implementation and a full review of all related documentation as well as project implementation reports. It should provide a detailed Work Plan of all the activities to be carried out related to the assessment of project 1819AG. Additionally, the inception report should include a detailed evaluation methodology including the description of the types of data collection instruments that will be used and a full analysis of the stakeholders and partners that will be contacted to obtain the evaluation information. First drafts of the instruments to be used for the survey, focus groups and interviews should also be included in this first report. b) Draft final evaluation Report. No later than 12 weeks after the signature of the contract, the consultant should deliver the preliminary report for revision and comments by the Programme Planning and Operations Division (PPOD) of ECLAC and the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG), which includes representatives of the implementing substantive Division/Office. The draft final evaluation report should include the main draft results and findings, conclusions of the evaluation, lessons learned and recommendations derived from it, including its sustainability, and potential improvements in project management and coordination of similar DA projects. c) Final Evaluation Report. No later than 16 weeks after the signature of the contract, the consultant should deliver the final evaluation report which should include the revised version of the preliminary version after making sure all the comments and observations from PPOD and the ERG have been included. Before submitting the final report, the consultant must have received the clearance on this final version from PPOD, assuring the satisfaction of ECLAC with the final evaluation report. d) Presentation of the results of the evaluation. A final presentation of the main results of the evaluation to ECLAC staff involved in the project will be delivered at the same time of the delivery of the final evaluation report.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND CONDITIONS

The contract will include the payment for the services of the consultant as well as all the related expenses of the evaluation. Payments will be done according to the following schedule and conditions: a) 30% of the total value of the contract will be paid against the satisfactory delivery of the inception report which should be delivered as per the above deadlines. b) 30% of the total value of the contract will be paid against the satisfactory delivery of the draft final evaluation report which should be delivered as per the above deadlines. c) 40% of the total value of the contract will be paid against the satisfactory delivery and presentation of the final evaluation report which should be delivered as per the above deadlines. All payments will be done only after the approval of each progress report and the final report from the Programme Planning and Evaluation Unit (PPEU) of the Programme Planning and Operations Division (PPOD) of ECLAC.

Work Location Santiago, Chile

Expected duration The duration of the consultancy will be initially for 16 weeks during the months of November 2021- February 2022 (TBC). The consultant will be reporting to and be managed by the Programme Planning and Evaluation Unit (PPEU) of the Programme Planning and Operations Division (PPOD) of ECLAC. Support to the evaluation activities will be provided by the ECLAC Office in Bogotá.

Duties and Responsibilities BACKGROUND

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Programme Planning and Operations Division (PPOD) is seeking an independent consultant to conduct the assessment of the Development Account project "Rural-Urban linkages for inclusive development in Colombia". The project under evaluation is part of the projects approved under this account for the 11th Tranche (2018-2021). It was implemented by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Office in Bogotá. This assessment is an end-of-cycle review of a project aimed is to incorporate rural-urban linkages into inclusive development policies in Colombia, empowering youth as peace-building agents.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this assessment is to review the efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability of the project implementation and more particularly document the results the project attained in relation to its overall objectives and expected results as defined in the project document. The assessment will place an important emphasis in identifying lessons learned and good practices that derive from the implementation of the project, its sustainability and the potential of replicating them to other countries.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The evaluation will seek to be independent, credible and useful and adhere to the highest possible professional standards. It will be consultative and engage the participation of a broad range of stakeholders. The unit of analysis is the project itself, including its design, implementation and effects. The assessment will be undertaken in accordance with the provisions contained in the Project Document, the ECLAC evaluation policy and guidelines, and with the Terms of Reference of the evaluation developed by ECLAC, to be provided upon selection of the consultant. The evaluation will be conducted in line with the norms, standards and ethical principles of the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG). The evaluation will also examine the extent to which gender concerns were incorporated into the project – whether project design and implementation incorporated the needs and priorities of women, whether women were treated as equal players, and whether it served to promote women’s empowerment. The evaluation will also include an assessment of the project´s contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

METHODOLOGY

The assessment will use the following data collection methods to assess the impact of the work of the project: a) Desk review and secondary data collection analysis b) Self-administered surveys c) Semi-structured interviews and focus groups to validate and triangulate information and findings from the surveys and the document reviews, a limited number of interviews (structured, semi-structured, indepth, key informant, focus group, etc.) may be carried out via tele- or video-conference with project partners to capture the perspectives of managers, beneficiaries, participating ministries, departments and agencies, etc. Methodological triangulation is an underlying principle of the approach chosen.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Intellectual property rights. The consultant is obliged to cede to ECLAC all authors rights, patents and any other intellectual property rights for all the work, reports, final products and materials resulting from the design and implementation of this consultancy, in the cases where these rights are applicable. The consultant will not be allowed to use, nor provide or disseminate part of these products and reports or its total to third parties without previously obtaining a written permission from ECLAC.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: - Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) political science, public policy, development studies, economics, business administration, or a related social or economic science. Experience: - At least seven years of progressively responsible relevant experience in programme / project evaluation are required. - At least two years of experience in areas related to inclusive development, in particular concerning either rural-urban linkages, youth, or post-conflict environment is highly desirable. - Experience in at least three evaluations with international (development) organizations is required. Experience in Regional Commissions and United Nations projects, especially Development Account projects is highly desirable. - Proven competency in quantitative and qualitative research methods, particularly self-administered surveys, document analysis, and informal and semi-structured interviews are required. - Working experience in Latin America and the Caribbean, preferably Colombia, is desirable. Language: - Proficiency in English and Spanish is required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.