Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Local Expert

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

Project Background

Joint UNDP-UNICEF Project “Strengthening Stability and Resilience of the Bordering Communities in Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, and Syunik regions” (3rd phase) represents a joint UNDP-UNICEF effort to advance stability and safety in the bordering communities of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions, directly affected by Nagorno Karabakh (NK) conflict, implements activities to deliver transformation at institutional (local governments, CSOs, businesses) and human development levels (skills, services, behaviour).

The Project provides evidence-based interventions, addressing conflict entailed instability and vulnerabilities in the remote and isolated bordering communities to enhance human wellbeing with specific focus on the most unsafe families and groups.

UNDP is the lead implementing partner of the joint UNDP-UNICEF Project “Strengthening Stability and Resilience of the Bordering Communities in Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, and Syunik regions” (3rd phase) and is responsible for the management of the Project and accountable to the donor funded by the UK Government though Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).

While Project implementation, each UN agency relies on its own M&E frameworks including practices, instruments, protocols and procedures. However, to enhance coherence, consistency and efficiency of the Project M&E framework, UN agencies along with their own practices, instruments, protocols and procedures have to ensure that M&E is implemented vis-à-vis agreed and approved common framework including indicators, reporting lines, frequencies, etc. provided in the respective Project Document.

The Project has indicator framework which consists of three major sets of indicators described below:

Im****plementation indicators with the strong focus on gender: mainstreamed objectives and the process of implementation; are used to gather information, measure, track, evaluate and consolidate progress towards intended project objectives and results, and to ensure timely diagnosis of, reporting on and response to any challenges or barriers encountered by the UN agencies during the Project implementation;

Conflict and interaction indicators: focused on the dynamics of the conflict and interaction between the conflict and the Project; will be used to gather information on and measure the operational context (conflict profile, triggers, actors and dynamics) and the interaction between the intervention and the context, using the indicators defined in the ‘do no harm’ analysis described in the Project Document;

Value for money indicators: focused on effectiveness, efficiency and economy of the Project activities and results; will be used to track value for money through the Project results chain, enabling best possible result for the level of investment, best rate of conversion of inputs into outputs, while minimising the cost of inputs.

The UN agencies gather, review and analyse information vis-à-vis these indicators in order to measure progress and change, and to be able to adjust the Project plan in response to developments, as well as unforeseen changes of circumstances.

In addition, the Project is monitoring the risks as identified in the project’s Risk Matrix.

Scope of Work

The objective of this assignment is to support the Project in implementation of the MEL function as per the mentioned above 3 sets of indicators through emphasizing issues of human capital development, improvement of public services to and economic empowerment of the vulnerable segments of population affected by the double crises the most; introduction of practical steps aimed at disaster risk management derived from the policy recommendations and strengthening local capacities of CSOs to mitigate negatives consequences of the compound crises.

Data vis-à-vis the Project indicator sets, as well as information on good practices and lessons learned should be gathered on regular basis, utilising UN Agencies institutional M&E practices and instruments as indicated in the Project Document, including reporting from the Project’s sub-contractors.

The monitoring reports should be prepared and submitted to the donor on quarterly basis as well as to the Project Steering Committee. However, tracked data should be available on monthly bases to meet ad-hoc requests of the Project different stakeholders including UNDP and UNICEF Senior Management, government bodies, donor, etc.

The evaluation shall utilise a consistent mix of qualitative and quantitative methods and is planned to be implemented by a MEL Expert, who will be backed by other specialists in the respective UN agencies.

MEL Expert shall further support the Project management team and subcontracted implementing partners to consolidate MEL data and to ensure that the most significant results are duly captured and reported.

MEL Expert is expected to be engaged with the Project subcontractors on a regular bases to request MEL data and shall handle and respond to the ongoing requests for data on the Project implementation and progress.

MEL Expert is expected to provide technical inputs to the Project management team related to the implementation of the MEL framework.

The assignment methodology will include a combination of in country monitoring, evaluation and learning missions (e.g., monitoring missions, spot check visits, interviews with the representatives of project implementing partners, sub-contractors, stakeholders and beneficiaries, etc.) and desk study of the project documentation (e.g., progress reports, documents produced under various activities, etc.). Specific site visits or online evaluation tasks will be discussed with the project management to prevent and mitigate risks related to COVID-19 pandemic and ensure compliance with the national regulations related to the safety and security for the interviewer and interviewees.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and in close cooperation with the Project’s Task Leads, MEL Expert shall perform the following tasks:

Desk Review

During the desk review, the written material that should be examined may include but not be limited to:

• The original and revised Project Document
• Project reports with key budgetary information;
• Information on the activities of project implementation team;
• Project’s communication materials;
• Documents produced by the project implementation team and subcontractors, as well as documents prepared by other stakeholders as related to the project interventions (e.g., draft regulations, policies and reports)
• Any other material that would deem relevant.

Field Visit

• Online and/or where possible face-to-face in-person interviews with the Project stakeholders and beneficiaries, including members of the Project implementation team.
• MEL Expert should provide, some days in advance of their visit, a note summarizing those issues that (s)he would particularly look to explore further and propose a schedule.
• Discussions with the Project key implementing partners, target audience, and relevant stakeholders.
• Track implementation of the Project interventions across target communities of the three target regions as per 3 sets of the Project indicators: 1. implementation indicators with the strong focus on gender; 2. conflict and interaction indicators; 3. value for money indicators.
• Other visits as may be required to fulfil the MEL function effectively vis-à-vis the available project resources allocated for MEL and approved project work plan.

Presentation of Results, Reporting and Final Submission

• Contribute to the preparation of the Project status monthly updates as per the Project implementation activities across all target communities of the Project 3 target regions, including collection of quantitative data vis-à-vis the project Results framework and the MEL framework.
• Contribute to the development of the Project Quarterly Report (October-December, 2021).
• Provide recommendations and prepare narrative materials on lessons learned from the Project implementation in order to improve its performance, result and effectiveness for the next quarter.
• Contribute to the development of the Project Closure Report (August, 2021-March, 2022) by collecting quantitative data and qualitative information vis-à-vis the above- mentioned 3 types of indicators.
• Provide recommendations on lessons learned from the Project implementation in order to improve its sustainability and contribute to the development of a new project concept.

MEL Expert is expected to produce the following deliverables and will be responsible for the completion of the tasks and duties assigned.Expected deliverables:

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Deliverables

Delivery time

1.

Comprehensive and duly disaggregated data collected vis-à-vis 3 types of indicators: 1. Implementation indicators with the strong focus on gender; 2. Conflict and interaction indicators; 3. Value for money indicators for project October -December 2021 quarterly report

January 10, 2022

2.

Comprehensive and duly disaggregated quantitate and qualitative data collected vis-à-vis the 3 types of indicators: 1. Implementation indicators with the strong focus on gender; 2. Conflict and interaction indicators; 3. Value for money indicators for project January -March 2022 quarterly report

March 20, 2022

3.

Report on the implementation of the Project Communication Strategy

March 25, 2022

Payment mode:

Payment will be issued in 3 instalments upon completion of the tasks under each of 3 deliverables by the UNDP:

• Deliverable 1: 35% of the total sum
• Deliverable 2: 35% of the total sum
• Deliverable 3: 30% of the total sum

Competencies

• Good understanding of resilient communities concept including economic and social resilience, as well as disaster risk managements and civil protection mechanisms and instruments
• Proven capacity to produce comprehensive MEL reports
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• Good understanding of UNDP-UNICEF mission and values
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different backgrounds.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability with a proactive and collaborative style that works well in teams
• Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills
• Result oriented, evidence-based data gathering approach

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Public Administration, Economics, Social Science and Development, Business Administration, Statistics, etc.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of extensive experience in project and/or program M&E.
• Previous experience in implementation of MEL function for development organizations/projects
• Proven practical experience in data collection and analysis, and the knowledge and skills on statistical production, dissemination, analysis and research methodology (experience in data analysis by using innovative approaches will be an asset).
• Proven experience working with UN-based projects related to building stability and resilience of vulnerable communities in Armenia is plus.

Language Skills:

• Proficiency in Armenian and English is required (written and oral)

CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications, experience and financial proposal.The contract will be awarded to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR and received the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

• Financial Proposal and Availability form: OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP (A total lump sum option is applicable for this assignment)
• CV shall include Education/Qualification, Processional Certification, Employment Records /Experience

General Conditions of Contract is available here: GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents that should be included in the application in one single PDF file and upload it).