Nat Indiv Consultancy: Assessment of Policy Framework from Evaluability perspective and ToC

Consultant Programme & Policy Monitoring & Evaluation

Contract

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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, education

The UNICEF Evaluation function helps UNICEF deliver results for children by fostering evidence-based decision-making. The UNICEF is a key actor in strengthening evaluation capacity at the country level. UNICEF supported delivery of the Executive Course for Evaluation leaders (ExCEL) for national partners and UNICEF staff and Moldova was among other countries who participated in the third cohort (March 2023). The course is aimed to improve programmes and policies at national level and contribute to building a culture of evaluative thinking around the achievement of results for children and their families. As a follow up of the ExCEL course and in line with the agreement with the State Chancellery of the Republic of Moldova, UNICEF Moldova will provide support to the Government to improve the regulatory policy framework and increase the quality of public policy documents, including child-focused strategies, programmes and action plans. Strengthening the national capacity for evidence-based policymaking is also one of UNICEF Moldova priority as outlined in 2023-2027 Country Programme Document.

Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to assess existing Regulatory framework from evaluability perspectives, paying special attention to the elements of Theory of changes, to provide recommendation and pilot suggested adjustments by applying to the Mid-term Human Rights Programme, with particular focus on Child Rights . Finally, the consultant is expected to elaborate proposals to modify the normative and methodological framework. ( i.e. proposals for amendments to the Government Decision no. 386 and to the relevant Methodological Guidelines), to be agreed with the State Chancellery.

Evaluability Assessment is an assessment of the extent to which an intervention or programme can be evaluated in a reliable and credible fashion.[1] Current exercise is planned to increase evaluability of all policy documents and adjustments of existing Guidelines in line with UNICEF Evaluability Assessment Guidance [2].

The following evaluability parameter and key questions will be taken into consideration while conducting the Assessment:

Evaluability Parameter

Key questions

Assess the Regulatory framework on relevance logic and coherence of results structures, alignment to country context and coherence of the sector / national development programme

Does the Regulatory framework specify a clear theory of change/logic model? Does it address the problems identified?

Is the results framework coherently articulated and aligned to country context and national priorities? Do the outputs, outcomes and overall goal follow the result chain logic?

The results chains are coherent, logical, with clearly articulated statements

Are results statements and the results framework taking into account equity considerations to programming and gender-responsive?

Are the results clear and realistic? Are they measurable (quantitatively or qualitatively)?

Are intended beneficiary groups clearly identified?

To what extent are results and indicators measurable?

How well have key assumptions, risks and mitigation strategies been specified?

Have assumptions about the role of partners, government and UNICEF been made explicit?

Are there plausible plans to monitor these in any practicable way?

Assess the adequacy and validity of the indicators, tools and systems for monitoring, measuring and verifying results reflected in the Regulatory framework

Does the Regulatory framework specify capacity to provide data for monitoring and evaluation?

Are baselines in place for indicators?

Does the Regulatory framework specify a monitoring system to gather and systematize the information with defined responsibilities, sources and periodicity?

Do indicators and targets take into consideration equity considerations to programming?

Are indicators and targets gender-responsive?

What are the likely costs of such data collection and analysis (costs in terms of the time of evaluation staff, programme managers and staff and partners)?

Is there a complete set of documents available? Are these documents accessible and well organized?

Are there any data gaps identifies when developed policy document? If so, are there any measures planned to improve data availability and address data gaps’

Assess the adequacy of financial resources are clearly specified to meet the expected results of public policy documents in related Regulatory framework

Are the resources aligned with the results?

Are data and systems in place to allow the Government to assess the adequacy of resources to achieve intended results?

Are there resources set aside for evaluation?

Planning Evaluations

Is there demand for evaluation clearly specified in Regulatory framework? If not, why? And are demands realistic given public policy documents design, budget and data availability?

Is there adequate, monitoring, evaluation and learning in place for the sector/ public policy documents to be evaluated?

Does the Regulatory framework specify a clear plan and budget for evaluation? Is it clear who will manage the evaluation?

Accountabilities, related duties/tasks and expected results

The consultant will review existing normative documents and guidelines and conduct interviews with relevant government partners to tailor evaluability assessment checklist[3] and to provide the answers on the following:

1. Public policy documents Design (as described in a Theory of Change, Logical Framework or narrative) – clarity, relevance, validity and reliability etc.;

2. Information availability - availability of, baseline measures, indicators, gender disaggregation etc.;

3. Institutional context (practicality and utility).

The Regulatory framework will be analyzed through evaluability criteria. The report will incorporate key findings and recommendations to adjust the Regulatory framework that will be piloted by applying them to the Mid-term Human Rights Programme, with particular focus on Child Rights.

Based on the results of the piloting, the final version of evaluability criteria, including Theory of change approach, will be fine-tuned and proposals to amend the regulatory and methodological framework will be elaborated and agreed by the State Chancellery.

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[1] DFID Working paper, Rick Davies ‘Evaluability Assessment’

[2] Evaluability Assessments Guidance.pdf (unicef.org)

[3] An evaluability assessment checklist, Rick Davis

Key deliverables

Stage 1: Preparatory stage: desk review of existing documents, elaboration of methodology of the assessment (questionnaires , face-to-face interviews, FGD etc.) and detailed workplan

Stage 2: Data gathering, analysis and Report writing

Stage 3: Piloting of suggested adjustments by applying to the Mid-term Human Rights Programme, with particular focus on Child Rights

Stage 4: Finalization of Assessment and development of proposals to modify the regulatory and methodological framework

Total – 50 working days – August to December 2023

Note: consultation and preparation for approval of recommended adjustments to the regulatory framework will be conducted by the State Chancellery in January – March 2024

Work location, official travel involved and support provided by UNICEF

Considering the time period for implementation of the assignment, majority of the planned tasks could be done remotely, while face-to-face meetings will also be possible. Office space will not be provided.

UNICEF will provide the Consultant with relevant policies, documents, reports etc., as well as facilitate the contact with relevant stakeholders and partners. UNICEF will ensure timely feedback to all deliverables to be presented by the Consultant.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the social sciences is required (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy or economics), public policy, public administration, international development, or in an area relevant to UNICEF’s cross-sectoral work (e.g. Child Rights, Social Inclusion etc.);

Knowledge / Experience:

• Minimum four years of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken and led substantive programming and research on education, inclusion etc.;
• Strong Results Based Management (RBM) and evaluation skills, particularly in evaluation of national programmes, designing and managing results-based programmes/projects on education, inclusion or any other cross cutting programmes, required;
• Experience in working with international organizations (working with UNICEF/other UN Agencies highly preferred);

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in written and oral communication in Romanian;
• Advanced knowledge in English will be an asset;

Skills:

• Strong writing and communication skills especially in team environments is highly preferred;
• Ability to work independently with confidence and self-motivation is necessary;
• Highly organized and proactive with timely production of materials is necessary.

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.

For more details on deliverables and minimum requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR)

2023_ToR_Assessment of Regulatory Framework_ExCEL_va.docx

HOW TO APPLY:

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system, with copy of academic credentials;
• CV;

• Financial proposal (template below), will include rate (in MDL) to undertake the terms of reference, as well translation, travel and other costs if relevant;

  Financial Offer.xlsx

• Indication of your availability to undertake the consultancy assignment.

Applications must be submitted by: 7 August 2023

Remarks:

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

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.

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.

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Added 9 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: unicef.org