Individual Consultant to conduct an evaluability assessment of the Zimbabwe United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (ZUNSDCF)

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UNICEF Zimbabwe is seeking to hire an innovative individual on consultancy basis to conduct an evaluability assessment (EA) of the Zimbabwe United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (ZUNSDCF) which aims to enhance both learning and accountability as it will assess the technical robustness of the ZUNSDCF in so far as design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting on ZUNSDCF ‘results’ is concerned.

BACKGROUND

The EA will serve as a management tool that supports the development/improvement of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) plans for the ZUNSDCF drawing on the ZUNSDCF guidelines as well as international good practices for results-based management (RBM) and evaluation. In line with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Standard 4.22, this evaluability assessment (EA) also serves as an initial step to increase the likelihood an evaluation will provide timely and credible information for decision-making.

The EA constitutes an ‘early warning’ mechanism for management as it will highlight where there may be gaps associated with the coherence of the TOC and the capability to measure, monitor and report on ‘results’, that may need refinement/improvement well in advance of an evaluation of the ZUNSDCF. This information will be used by the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the MEL Group to develop a strategy and an action plan to address priority areas for any ZUNSDCF design or process improvements, as needed.

The EA Tool is intended to provide insights on three important aspects for the evaluability of the ZUNSDCF:

1. The extent that a ZUNSDCF, developed by the UNCT in partnership with its national stakeholders, is designed and implemented (including its monitoring, evaluation and reporting plan) so as to ensure quality data is available or collectable and illustrate UN contribution to the SDGs and national priorities applying the Guiding Principles (gender equality and women’s empowerment, human rights-based approaches, leaving no one behind),
2. The extent that formal mechanisms as well as governance and management are foreseen and in place to facilitate coordination across UN agencies, other development partners and national stakeholders to help ensure an appropriate follow-through on results measurement, reporting and evaluation; and,
3. The extent that there is clarity and coordination across UN agencies insofar as their alignment and input to support ZUNSDCF monitoring, evaluation and reporting on results is concerned and strategies are defined to mitigate factors that could hinder an impartial evaluation process.

The EA will be usefully employed by UNCT members as a ‘checklist’ to help reinforce and guide the ZUNSDCF monitoring, evaluation and reporting on ‘results’ design and process. If evaluability is not established, the EA will guide the identification of measures to address the problem, such as reconstructing the theory of change or readjusting MEL plans and processes.

Components of the EA process

Component 1: Evaluability assessment of the UNSDCF Macro Requirements

This is an assessment of the ZUNSDCF with a broader and macro focus, to be carried out by the UNCT and relevant UNSDCF groups (the Joint UN & Government of Zimbabwe M & E Group, working with the Results Groups and PMT) collectively looking at aspects such as joint programming, coherence, alignment to guiding principles, and the coordination and readiness of ZUNSDCF monitoring, reporting and evaluation.

Data from this component and component 2 below will inform the EA process including prioritization of results framework indicators and UN M & E plan.

Component 2: Evaluability assessment of the Agency-specific Requirements

This is a self-assessment carried out by individual UNCT member agencies, examining individual programming frameworks, how they contribute to the broader ZUNSDCF objectives, and the appropriateness and adequacy of M&E systems (including the possibility of joint monitoring). Data from this component will inform the revision of ZUNSDCF results framework and the M & E plan.

Component 3: EA capacity building and data validation workshop

This workshop will serve two purposes: (1) to review and validate the EA draft report including ToC - its envisaged approach, and assumptions taking into account any changes in the context, indicators (2) capacity building of Government officials and other stakeholders on EA. This is based on the request from the Government for capacity building on EA. The training has been cooperated into ZUNSDCF EA to enable hands on experience in conducting the EA. and M & E plan. The participants to the workshop will include UN M & E Team members, Results Groups technical leads, Government officials and Representatives of other stakeholders e.g., Academia, CSOs, Private sector, CSOs, Women’s Organisations, Organisations representing Persons with disabilities and Youths.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Evaluability Assessment (EA) of the Zimbabwe United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (ZUNSDCF) aims to enhance both learning and accountability as it will assess the technical robustness of the ZUNSDCF in so far as design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting on ZUNSDCF ‘results’ is concerned.

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Lead in the methodological design and implementation of the entire EA process, take overall responsibility for providing guidance and leadership, and be responsible for the production and timely submission of all expected deliverables in line with the ToR.
• Kick-off meeting between the UN Country Team, the UN Evaluation Management Team and the Programme Management Team. The purpose of the meeting is to review the detailed work plan, activities and clarification on the ToR.
• Production of the Inception Report (IR) for the EA. The IR provides the conceptual framework and main operational plan for the UNSDCF EA.
• Desk review: Results from EA Component 2, CCA, ZUNSDCF, ToC, Results Framework, Global SDGs Output Indicators, National Development Strategy and SDGs M & E Framework and SDGs progress reports.
• Consult result groups technical leads and collect data on Component 1 of the EA.
• Facilitate the Joint UN / Government of Zimbabwe EA capacity building and data validation workshop.
• Produce EA report including clear, concrete and actionable recommendations
• Present the EA report and recommendations to Result Groups and Programme Management Team

Major tasks and deliverables:

Tasks/Milestone:****Deliverables/Outputs:****Timeline (Days) & payment scheduleDesk review: CCA, ZUNSDCF, ToC, Results Framework, Global SDGs Output Indicators, National Development Strategy and SDGs M & E Framework and SDGs progress reports.Inception Report (IR) for the EA with the proposed revised/updated ToC.10 days

(50%)Consult result groups technical leads and collect data on Component 1 of the EA.Adjusted Results Framework indicators3 days

(25%)Facilitate the Joint UN / Government of Zimbabwe EA capacity building and data validation workshop.Draft EA report with key findings and recommendations7 days

(25%)To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: Development studies, economics, evaluation, social sciences, public administration, sociology or anthropology, demography, or related fields is required.

Experience: At least ten (10) years of proven and progressively senior evaluation experience in leading, managing and conducting evaluations of UNDAF/United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework or UN agency Country Programmes.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Extensive technical and professional evaluation skills and direct experience in applying qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods; and familiarity with UNEG Norms and Standards and Ethical Guidelines is required.

Strong experience and knowledge in the UN programming principles, including leaving no one behind LNOB, human rights, gender equality and women's empowerment, sustainability and resilience, and accountability is required.

Excellent knowledge of emerging global development issues and evaluation trends that impact the work of the UN. is desirable.

Previous experience working in Zimbabwe is an added advantage.

Languages: English

For every Child, you demonstrate…

If interested and available to undertake the individual consultancy, please submit your application online and attach the required documents including the technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal incorporating an approximate number of travel days for field (local) travel.

Technical proposal: The Technical Proposal should articulate an understanding of the TOR and include the proposed Tasks/Milestones, Deliverables/Outputs, Timeline and level of effort by deliverable. The similar table provided in the TOR is indicative. Applicants may use the indicative table as a guide or deviate as per the proposed approach. The proposal should also cost-effectively propose the local travel proposed by the applicant to undertake the assignment.

Financial proposal: The Financial Proposal should include the costs (providing a daily rate as justification) for each task, including consultant fee, proposed travel costs and perdiem, communications costs and any other proposed cost.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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 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.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.