International Evaluation Specialist for Lesotho 2019-2023 UNDAF

Result of Service- Draft inception report - Final inception report (including final data collection tools) - Presentation of preliminary findings - A complete first draft Evaluation report - A final presentation of key findings, conclusions, and recommendations - A final complete evaluation report - Other agreed dissemination products, e.g., an evaluation brief, evaluation poster, etc.

Work Location Maseru, Lesotho

Expected duration 3 months

Duties and Responsibilities Background

Under the coordination of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s office in Lesotho and working with the Ministry of Development Planning – Monitoring and Evaluation Department and with resident and nonresident UN agencies, United Nations Lesotho is seeking for the services of the international consultant to undertake the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) Evaluation. UNDAF is a medium-term strategic planning document that was produced by the United Nations (UN) Country Team in Lesotho including Non-Resident Agencies as a collective UN vision and response to national development priorities during 2019-2023. The UNDAF was prepared in collaboration with the Government of Lesotho and other stakeholders, and informed by the Common Country Analysis, as well as innovative initiatives including foresight, scenario building, public engagement, and other processes. Building on the experiences gathered from the adoption of the Delivering as One modality in 2009, UNDAF, with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its core, contributed to the achievement of the National Strategic Development Plan II objectives and supported the Lesotho Government’s aspiration to achieve the 2030 Agenda. Through UNDAF, the Government of Lesotho and the UN Country Team committed to working through partnerships and under the Delivering as One modality in the best interests of the people of Lesotho.

As a way of assessing its implementation performance, UNDAF 2019-2023 is to be evaluated in 2022 by an independent evaluation team, to draw critical insights to understand if the UN System in Lesotho is fit for purpose to deliver on the promise of the SDGs in the changing development landscape, to provide recommendations for improvement, building on current strengths and achievements; to bring out emerging needs to be addressed and recommendations for accelerated progress, to provide practical recommendations as basis for development of the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) as well as the development of individual UN entity Country Programme documents. The results of this evaluation will be disseminated to the intended users such as UN agencies, Government of Lesotho, development partners, Civil Society, academia, Private Sector, implementing partners and other secondary users including the public through several platforms. The evaluation results will further provide strategic and programmatic lessons to promote accountability and visibility around the achievements and work of the UN in Lesotho.

Working under the direct supervision of the RCO Team Leader, the International Consultant (with support from 2 National Evaluation Specialists) will work closely with support from the Data Management and Results Monitoring and Reporting Officer and UNDAF Evaluation Managers to implement and deliver the key evaluation deliverables as per the agreed evaluation milestones. The deliverables will be signed off by the RCO Team Leader before payment is made.

Responsibilities

Inception Phase - Secondary data collection and desk review - Preliminary stakeholder analysis - Development of inception report, which include: ¿ Development of the methodology ¿ Assessment of the UNDAF Theory of Change and reconstitution (if necessary) ¿ Constitution of the sampling frame ¿ Sampling approach ¿ Fieldwork planning ¿ Detailed workplan - Engagement with stakeholders on the inception report validation - Finalize inception report based on feedback received

Data Collection - Finalize fieldwork logistics - Conduct interviews with key stakeholders - Prepare interview notes/reports - Populate evaluation matrix with data/findings

Reporting Phase - Data analysis and drafting of preliminary findings - Preparation of a presentation on emerging findings, conclusions, and recommendations - Engagement with stakeholders on preliminary findings - Produce and submit a first draft evaluation report for comments / quality assessment - Based on feedback received, produce a final evaluation report and a final presentation of key findings, conclusions and recommendations

Management Response, Dissemination and Use Phase - RCO and UNCT to develop the evaluation management response and action plan - Implement the communication/dissemination activities planned - Use evaluation findings, conclusions, and recommendations during the design of the next UNSDCF

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) in public administration, development studies, economics, human rights, or any other relevant field is required. A first level degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Experience: - Minimum seven years of relevant professional experience including previous experience as team leader designing and conducting evaluations is required. - Excellent knowledge of and experience with the UN system and UN common country programming process. Previous experience in UNDAF evaluations and development of UNDAF frameworks is desired. - Extensive knowledge of, and experience in applying, qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods and use of secondary data to complement primary data is required. - Demonstrated expertise in evaluating institutional support systems, including operations and the human resource function is required. - Demonstrated managerial competence and experience in organizing, leading and coordinating multicultural and multi-disciplinary evaluation teams is required. - Prior experience in working with multilateral agencies is desired. - In-depth knowledge and strong research record of Lesotho socio-economic development is desired. - Process management skills, such as facilitation skills and ability to negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders is required. - Good knowledge of the UN system and role, UN reform process and UN programming at the country level, particularly UNDAF and including principles such as Leaving no one behind, human rights, gender equality, sustainability, and resilience, RBM approach etc. is desired. - Excellent writing, spoken and reporting skills in English, as well as communication and interviewing skills is required. Language: English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English 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.