MNG/IC/2022/INT/001 - Evaluation researcher and sociologist for impact assessment

Consultant

Contract

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Background

With an observed temperature increase of 2.1°C over the past 70 years, Mongolia is among the countries most impacted by climate change. Increased temperatures, coupled with decreased precipitation, have resulted in a drying trend impacting pastures and water sources and shifting natural zones. Changes have also been observed related to the frequency and intensity of extreme events, including disasters brought about by dzud (summer drought followed by harsh winters, low temperatures, and higher snowfall), drought, snow and dust storms, flash floods, and both cold and heatwaves. Responses to climate impacts by herders have, furthermore not been informed by climate information or by the potential impact of those responses on land and water resources. Unsustainable herding practices and livestock numbers are further stressing increasingly fragile ecosystems and related ecosystem services.

The “Improving Adaptive Capacity and Risk Management of Rural Communities in Mongolia’’ project funded by the Green Climate Fund was launched in March 2021. The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, and the United Nations Development Program for 7 years in Dornod, Sukhbaatar, Zavkhan, and Khovd aimags. The objective of the project is to strengthen the climate resilience of resource-dependent rural populations in the 4 target aimags through feasible adaptation measures for maintaining ecosystem services.

The project is expected to benefit an estimated 800.000 people (approximately 130.000 direct and 800.000 indirect beneficiaries), of whom 50% are women. The Objective of the project is to strengthen the climate resilience of resource-dependent rural populations in the 4 target aimags through feasible adaptation measures for maintaining ecosystem services. To achieve this goal, the following activities within the interrelated components will be implemented and reached the expected results. This includes:

Output 1: Climate information integrated into land and water use planning at the national and sub-national levels

Output 2: Climate-resilient water and soil management practices scaled-up for enhanced small scale herder resource management

Output 3: Herder capacity to access markets built for sustainably sourced, climate-resilient livestock products

The project impact evaluation based on conducting household sample surveys will be undertaken in 4 aimags in accordance with sections 2.1 and 2.2 under Component 2 and 3.2 under Component 3 of the project (As specified in the project document, the sample size should be at least 3,300 households).

Therefore, a consulting service is being announced among international level researchers for the development of a methodology to assess the conditions at the start, the progress and end of the project interventions, and the impact on the livelihoods of the rural population.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Objective of the assignment

The objective of the consulting service is to develop an impact evaluation survey methodology to identify changes and outcomes in the lives of rural people and herders during the project and at the end of the project interventions.

The consulting service consists of the following main parts. In addition, the following results should be considered in impact assessment studies and the service will cover all soums of Dornod, Sukhbaatar, Zavkhan, and Khovd aimags.

• Analyze and determine the current situation in the project area within the framework of project components 2.1, 2.2 and 3.2
• Develop a survey methodology for impact evaluation
• Recommendations for processing and analyzing collected data, and designing report content;
• Appropriateness of the project monitoring and evaluation criteria and research evaluation methodology, and recommendations for further consideration

2. Scope of work

The consultant will design the impact evaluation survey for the project interventions and the following specific assignments will be undertaken by the consultant.

• Analyze and determine the current situation in the project area within the framework of project components 2.1, 2.2, and 3.2,

• to determine the current situation of co-management of natural resources in respective 4 aimags where the project will be implemented;

• to study the degradation caused by the use of pastures and water resources, their rehabilitation, afforestation policy and planning;
• to study the activities of cooperatives, associations and partnerships in livestock;

• to identify the current situation of herder producer organizations (HPOs);

• Develop research methodology to fully evaluate the impact of the start, progress and end of the project,

• Develop a survey methodology for impact evaluation, select a sample frame and unit (household, herder), design survey map, and develop all types of questionnaires to be used in the survey;

• Develop impact evaluation survey methodology considering the potential risks to the project process as outlined in the project documents, as well as the gender action plan and indicators;

• Develop recommendations on how to conduct the survey and analyze the data,

• Develop recommendation on conducting the survey and analyzing the data and and the content of the report;

• Develop recommendations on the appropriateness of project monitoring and evaluation criteria and research evaluation methodology,

• Identify in detail the expected results of the activities to be carried out under the project in 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, define the criteria to be evaluated during the project process and in the final stage in accordance with the project document and develop recommendation

3. Expected Outputs, Deliverables and Schedule of Payments

Deliverables/ Outputs

Estimated Duration to Complete

Target Due Dates

Review and Approvals Required

Payment schedule

Deliverable 1. Detailed work plan i) estimated timing ii) draft planning on research methodology

7 working days

Within 2 weeks after contract signing

National project coordinator (NPC) and Programme officer (PO)

20%

Deliverable 2. Desk review on i) determine the current situation of co-management of natural resource in respective 4 aimags ii) study the degradation caused by the use of pastures and water resources, their rehabilitation, afforestation policy and planning; iii) study the activities of cooperatives, associations and partnerships in livestock; iv) identify the current situation of herder producer organizations (HPOs);

Draft report of research methodology that fully evaluate the impact of the start, progress and end of the project ( covering 2.1, 2.2 and 3.2 of the project components);

Draft planning for field mission;

20 working days

Within 8 weeks after submission of the detailed workplan

NPC, PO and Project implementation unit (PIU)

30%

Deliverable 3. Conduct Field trip

• on draft report on research methodology / it will be discussed with PIUs and other stakeholders and incorporated recommendations;/

Finalize draft report addressing comments by the discussion

20 working days

Within 8 weeks after submission of the desk review and draft report

NPC, PIU and relevant stakeholders

30%

Deliverable 4. Recommendation draft on how to conduct the survey, analyze the data, and the content of the survey report;

• on appropriateness of the project monitoring and evaluation criteria and research evaluation methodology, and considerations for further consideration

Final report in English and Mongolian

10 working days

Within 6 weeks after discussion and final draft report

NPC, PO and PIU

20%

4. Institutional arrangements

The contractor will be supervised by the National Project Coordinator and Programme Officer of UNDP country office. He or she will be expected to work closely with the local consultant with a similar scope of work. He or she is also expected to meet and liaise with Project Implementation Unit (PIU), UNDP Mongolia country office, project local coordinators, and respective ministries and agencies including Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, national and local agencies, local governors, NGOs, private sector and other international projects.

The consultant will use his/her own computer for this assignment. PIU will provide office space and internet connection when necessary. All logistical support within the country will be provided by PIU and local PIUs. The contract and payments will be performance-based and regularly assessed by the National Project Coordinator and the Programme Officer of the UNDP.

5. Duration of the Work

The total duration of the assignment is 57 working days after signing the contract. The expected date for the final report of the research methodology plus annexes and recommendations to be submitted to 30th September 2022. The consultant will work on an intermittent basis.

6. Duty Station

Home office, with one visit to Mongolia for 16 calendar days, including two field missions to the countryside/pilot landscapes.

Competencies

Experiences and education:

• International level consultants should be economists, labor economists, sociologists;
• Specialize in the development of impact methodology, environmental use, and socio-economic impact assessments;
• At least 10 years experience in conducting impact assessment and evaluation researcher;
• Master’s or doctoral degrees;
• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Understanding and knowing the specifics of Mongolia's nature and economy would be an asset.

Competencies:

• Ability to perform high-quality work in a short period of time;

• Ability to work independently, advise others and work in a team;

• Ability to summarize, report and analyze data;

Required Skills and Experience

Scope of Price Proposal

Contractor must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fees, content dissemination costs, third party involvement and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the contractor in completing the assignment. Travel costs for coming and returning to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia is borne by the consultant and should be included in the financial proposal. Travel costs for the local field mission will be paid for by the project. The contract price will be a fixed output-based price regardless of the extension of the herein specified duration.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

The professional service provider will be evaluated based on the following methodology Cumulative analysis. The award of the contract shall be made to the professional service provider whose offer will be evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%) and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

A point-based scoring system is used for the technical criteria evaluation. A detailed breakdown of each criterion and its point is illustrated in Annex III. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Detailed information and required qualifications can be found in the Terms of Reference (TOR), which is available in the list of attachments.

If you meet the qualifications of the announced assignment, please submit the following documents by the deadline of 18:00 pm, 18 March 2022 by Ulaanbaatar time (GMT +08:00).

Please submit your proposal to bids.mn@undp.org with subject line: Ref: IC/2022/INT/001 – Evaluation researcher and sociologist for Impact Assessment

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

The following documents should be submitted:

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template attached;
• Personal CV or P11 application form, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least two (2) professional references;
• Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and b) a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price in USD, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.

Note:

• Incomplete and late applications will be excluded from further consideration
• The UNDP reserves the right to accept or reject, in part or whole, any or all the proposals at any time without assigning any reason.
• Only successful candidate will be notified of contract award.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org