Evaluation Team Leader Consultant, LACRO, Panama City - 4 months

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Thursday 25 Nov 2021 at 04:55 UTC

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Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

Impact and damages of Haiti 2021 earthquake

On August 14th, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, causing hospitals, schools and homes to collapse, claiming hundreds of lives, and leaving communities in crisis. The three most affected departments include Sud, Grand’Anse, and Nippes, while UNICEF estimates that about 2.200 lost their lives and 1.2 million people, including 540,000 children, have been affected by the powerful earthquake. The earthquake's devastating impact was later compounded with heavy rains from the tropical depression Grace on 17 August, causing flooding in the same quake-affected areas.

UNICEF’s response

In response, UNICEF Haiti is supporting the Government and humanitarian partners to ensure the continuity of basic services, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, health, nutrition, child protection and social protection services, while facilitating disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, and interventions to address violence against children as well as gender-based violence and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Overall, UNICEF’s response to Haiti earthquake was informed by the varying scale of the disaster and the differing contexts in each department. Overall, in the first few weeks of the crisis, UNICEF provided critical life-saving assistance and recovery support to affected populations, while strengthening its support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) crisis in the metropolitan area providing WASH, health, nutrition, education and child protection services, and strengthened disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness through various modalities including cash transfers.

Approximately two months after the onset of the emergency, the immediate life-saving supply provision mode of the response was gradually phasing out, the medium-term response still needs to focus on the resumption of interrupted essential services and the continuation of essential services. The challenges linked with the recovery phase are presenting themselves in different forms from immediate responses, yet with a common underlying query of how to reconstruct and restore basic services, while laying the ground for increased resilience and more sustainable solutions (‘how to build back better’) given the fact that the country have been facing multiple crisis and the disaster-prone context remains.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF’s LACRO is recruiting an evaluation team leader as LACRO is proposing a real-time evaluation (RTE) of UNICEF’s response to Haiti’s 2021 earthquake to generate timely feedback and learning on key elements of its response, while complying with UNICEF’s Evaluation policy requirements. Given that this is a rapid-onset emergency, the value of rapidly-available evidence-based findings, and the support they can provide in informing the upcoming transition to the recovery phase, makes a strong case for an RTE of the response to Haiti earthquake to be conducted at this point in time.

Purpose: The RTE of UNICEF’s response to Haiti earthquake is expected to have a strong learning purpose on several fronts: i) providing iterative feedback loops, both operationally and programmatically, into the initial phase of UNICEF’s response to the crisis; ii) informing the direction of ongoing recovery efforts and planning of forthcoming response phases; iii) identifying lessons to strengthen resilience and the future preparedness levels of UNICEF Country Office (CO) and Government as well as key partners; and iv) supporting the learning of Regional Office (RO) and HQ vis-a’-vis the activation of emergency procedures in the future. In this sense the evaluation is expected to yield learning that will be useful and applicable not only the CO level but also with the national as well as the RO level. The RTE will finally strengthen UNICEF’s accountability towards affected populations, as well as partners and stakeholders supporting the response at large, and should be thus conceived as an intrinsic component of the humanitarian response itself.

In line with this purpose, the RTE is expected to generate actionable recommendations on how to strengthen ongoing recovery efforts from Haiti earthquake and how to improve future preparedness, response and planning for recovery after sudden onset emergencies in Haiti.

Specific Tasks:

The evaluation team leader is expected to lead and contribute to the following tasks:

  • Develop a realistic work plan for the evaluation.
  • Execute the evaluation to respond to the questions stipulated in the terms of reference (or subsequent revisions of the evaluation questions);
  • Generate evaluation products and deliverables as shown in the table below, and in accordance with contractual requirements.
  • Provide written responses to comments from the reference group, and update report; accordingly, and,
  • Provide regular updates to the Evaluation Managers.

For detail on the tasks see also in the attached ToRs RTE Haiti FINAL.pdf , the following sections:

  • Expected users (C)
  • Special considerations (D)
  • Evaluation scope (E)
  • Indicative evaluation questions (F)
  • Approach and methods (G)
  • Limitations and challenges (H)
  • Norms and standards (I)
  • Management and government arrangements (J)

Team Composition and responsibilities:

The evaluation will be conducted by a 3-person team including 2 international consultants (one team leader, one WASH and one other subject matter expert) and 1 national consultant. One member from UNICEF’s LACRO will be ‘embedded’ in the team and will provide logistical support and assist with data collection and report writing.

Individual contracts will be also issued to the other team member.

Expected Results:

The objectives of the evaluation are as follows:

a. In line with the learning component mentioned above, the evaluation will determine UNICEF’s response to Haiti’s earthquake vis-a’-vis issues of appropriateness/relevance, effectiveness [1] , coverage, connectedness[2] and coherence (coordination/partnerships).[3]

b. Assess the extent to which UNICEF adhered operationally and programmatically, to the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs)

c. Examine the extent to which UNICEF effectively responded to the needs of the most affected population in timely manner and identify gaps and appropriate strategies to improve operational coverage and effectiveness.

d. Assess the extent to which emergency preparedness and organizational readiness have enabled Haiti to respond more effectively. This should include reviewing the extent to which UNICEF has systematically incorporated lessons learned from previous Independent Review of UNICEF’s

e. Operational Response to the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti7 and the 2019 ALNAP 16 lessons on responding to earthquakes8 into its preparedness strategies in the current response; how the Emergency Preparedness Platform (EPP), SOPS, HR/surge capacities; data and monitoring systems; social protection/shock responsive systems in place, etc. have all enabled the Haiti country to respond rapidly. The experience on Huracan Mathew in the same area of disaster will be used as reference8.

f. Examine the extent to which the Haiti Country Office have considered gender and equity during the response, including how UNICEF has been gender-responsive across its efforts and sensitive to the needs of the most vulnerable groups affected by the emergency (e.g. communities in hard-to-reach areas; people with disabilities; separated, unaccompanied children etc.).9 Along these lines, the evaluation should be informative about the ways in which Haiti earthquake affected different categories of people and the extent to which UNICEF has, in turn, incorporated this knowledge as a key driver of its response.

g. Finally, the evaluation is expected to distil lessons and make recommendations for adjusting and improving the response and planning for recovery after sudden onset emergencies.

By showcasing what UNICEF has done well so far and identifying key gaps and the areas that will require more focus (in terms of efforts and funds) in the next stage of the response, the evaluation is also anticipated to have an instrumental role in supporting fundraising efforts for the recovery phase


[1] The timeliness of UNICEF’s action will be looked at as part of the ‘effectiveness’ criterion.

[2] Connectedness can be conceived as the equivalent of the ‘sustainability’ criterion applied to humanitarian action.

[3] Reference to the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria is made, https://www.oecd.org/dac/evaluation/revised-evaluation-criteria-dec2019.pdf

Evaluation Deliverables, Team Leader working days and payments

Task/Deliverable

Team leader working days

Timeline

Payments upon validation and approval of deliverables

Inception report validated and approved

15

December-January 2022

Inception report validated and approved 30% Payment

First draft of evaluation report validated and approved

20

January-March 2022

Draft final report validated and approved 30% Payment

Final evaluation report validated and approved

10

March-April 2022

Final report validated and approved 40% Payment

Total

45 days

Total Level of effort Expected: 45 working days for the team leader out of the 70 working days total for the team

The RTE is expected to produce the following:

  • Brief Inception Report (including draft timeline summarizing key events and response) (maximum 15 to 20 pages excluding Annexes)
  • Short interim reports (to be submitted prior to the consolidated report)
  • Concise and fully edited report in English (maximum 20.000 words excluding Annexes), including detailed timeline summarizing events and response
  • The Executive Summary should be translated in French

Oral briefings/PPT/workshop for different audiences at different points in time of the evaluation cycle, containing preliminary findings and emerging conclusions/recommendations To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

Advanced university degree in evaluation, social sciences, or other related fields. (Master)

Work

Experience

At least ten years or more of relevant professional work experience:

Extensive experience in emergency response, preferably with a UN agency

Experience in conducting and managing multi-disciplinary evaluations, including evaluating rapid onset emergencies for UNICEF, other UN agencies or other international partners at the global, regional, or country levels.

Experience managing a team

Experience with the ethics of evidence generation; experience collecting data from vulnerable groups; familiarity with ethical safeguards

Languages

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French.

Technical knowledge (if applicable)

Highly qualified professional technical knowledge/expertise in evaluation, including data management and qualitative analytical information:

Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods

Knowledge of latest methods and approaches in humanitarian evaluation, especially participatory methods and accountability to affected populations, and RTEs

Familiarity with UNICEF’s emergency response, including the Core Commitments to Children preferred

Other skills and attributes (optional)

Flexibility and adaptability to shifting conditions and work demands.

• Capacity to communicate effectively and work collaboratively

• High level of Integrity and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.

• Analytical and conceptual ability, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.

Administrative Details:

Supervision: The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Evaluation Adviser and in close collaboration with the Multi Country Evaluation Specialist.

Workplace: Home-Based - but will need to travel to Haiti (Field Visits). Travel will be covered by UNICEF as per policy.

  • Travel costs will be estimated and added to the contract once they are determined based on UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations.
  • For agreed country visits, the contractor/consultant will be responsible in administering their own travel. UNICEF will reimburse travel related expenses based on actual costs or on the below criteria whichever is lower and upon presentation of receipts.
  • Any travel involved should be budgeted according to UN Travel Standards as a ceiling.
  • UN Secretariat Administrative Instruction on Official Travel, ST/AI/2013/3: Sect. 4, para. 4.2, numerals (d) and (e)

For information on Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), can be found on the International Civil Service Commission website (all countries and destinations can be found by navigating on the map).

How to apply? Application should be submitted online and should include: Resume, Cover Letter, University Degrees/Certificates and Financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit daily and monthly fees in their financial proposal.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Duration of contract: Estimated start date of this consultancy is mid December 2021 for a period of 4 months.

Vacancy Announcement Remarks:

Please note only short-listed candidates will be contacted. UNICEF reserves the right to make additional assessment of the pre-selected candidates, if needed UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org