UNDAF 2016-2020 Assessment Consultancy

Contract

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Background

The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF 2016-2020) entered into by and between the Government of Eswatini (GoE) and the UN Development System in Eswatini (UNDS) is coming to an end in December 2020. As part of the development of its next strategic framework, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the cycle 2021-2025, the UNDS wishes to undertake a rapid assessment of UNDAF end-of-term. The assessment will outline achievements, progress and gaps in delivery, including in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the UNDAF implementation period.

About UNDAF 2016-2020

UNDAF 2016-2020 is the fourth generation Programme of UN support to Eswatini. It was developed according to the principles of internal coherence among UN agencies, funds and programmes, Delivering as One (DaO) and Government ownership, as demonstrated through UNDAF alignment to Government priorities defined in His Majesty’s Vision 2022, National Development Strategy (NDS) and Medium-Term Plan 2013- 2018, as well as Government Plan of Action and planning cycles.

UNDAF 2016-2020 contributes to the overall goal of Eswatini: “reaching first world status and being a prosperous nation with a high quality of life by 2022 akin to developed countries, that aims to transform Eswatini from being a middle-income country into a fully developed country”.

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT), under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, is responsible for the implementation of UNDAF 2016-2020. Under the DaO principle, the UNCT is responsible for the oversight of the Strategic Results Groups, the Operations Management Team (OMT) and the UN Communications Group (UNCG). The National Steering Committee (NSC) co-chaired jointly by the Resident Coordinator and the Minister of Economic Planning and Development (MEPD) oversees Programme implementation and monitoring and reporting.

Purpose of UNDAF Assessment

The purpose of UNDAF assessment is (a) to undertake a review of UNDAF performance against planned results and (b) document challenges and lessons learnt drawn from UNDAF 2016-2020. The assessment will also focus on significant developments that emerged in the programming environment and how these impacted the implementation of UNDAF development agenda and achievement of programme results.

The assessment provides an opportunity to issue recommendations to effectively implement the oncoming UNSDCF in a manner that contributes to livelihood improvement of targeted and left-behind vulnerable populations of Eswatini, as well as SDGs attainment in Eswatini.

The assessment will also reflect on how the UN agencies and Government entities, through the Strategic Priority Areas result groups (SPAs), have supported UNDAF objectives and how the findings and recommendations of the UNDAF MTR of 2018 were implemented. The evaluation will identify areas requiring further support in either programme management or new implementation strategies that need to be considered in the UNSDCF to commence in 2021.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator and in close consultation with the UNCT in Eswatini and its Monitoring and Evaluation group (M&E), the Consultant (International or National) will be selected competitively to conduct the assessment remotely/not in-country during the period 1 - 30 September 2020.

Specifically, the Consultant will assess the following:

1. Progress made against stated the results chain (impact to outputs) from January 2016 to date. It will also highlight actions that have been taken to address all recommendations proposed by the UNDAF MTR with regards to challenges that were identified as affecting effective and efficient activity implementation.
2. the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability of strategies and programmes implemented during the UNDAF cycle.
3. the extent to which cross cutting issues and key principles such as human rights and Human rights-based approaches, gender equality, environmental sustainability, capacity development and results-based management were mainstreamed throughout the five- year cycle.
4. how the UNDAF has been responsive to emerging issues.
5. the effectiveness of the Delivering as One (DaO) modality in supporting programmatic work and delivery under the UNDAF, including coherence and coordination within the UN through the strategic results area groups.
6. the effectiveness of the mechanisms put in place to enhance coordination among all UN agencies and the Government in supporting UNDAF programmes in line with the national vision and Eswatini medium term goals.

Methods and process:

In view of the COVID-19 challenges, the assessment shall be conducted remotely/not in-country. It will be a comprehensive assessment detailing implementation challenges and bottlenecks, and recommend how such challenges could be avoided in the UNSDCF implementation. The assessment will comprise a comprehensive desk-review with limited consultations with key stakeholders and the issuance of a strategic report issued in accordance with the following assessment criteria:

• Relevance - Responsiveness of implementation mechanisms to the rights and capabilities of the rights-holders and duty-bearers of the programme (including national institutions and policy framework).
• Effectiveness - Assess UNDAF performance qualitatively and quantitatively to the extent to which programme results have been achieved.
• Efficiency – Assess the extent to which the programme implementation mechanisms were delivered in the most cost-effective manner.
• Sustainability – Assess the extent to which the implementation mechanisms can be sustained over time, including their effect on the environment.
• Assess design and focus – Assess the quality of the formulation of results at different levels, i.e. the results chain against the results achieved.
• Lessons learnt/ Recommendations - Identify areas for improved programme planning, especially with respect to target setting, relevance and capacity of institutions for delivery of the UNDAF results and future UNSDCF implementation.

Management and organization of the assignment

• The UN Resident Coordinator, in consultation with the UNCT, will provide oversight and direction to the UNDAF assessment, process. The National Steering Committee, which is co-chaired by the Minister of Economic Planning and Development and the UN Resident Coordinator will review the UNDAF assessment report.
• The UN M&E group will provide logistical and technical support to the Consultant in the discharge of his/her responsibilities.

Time Frame:

• The assessment shall be conducted over 20 days within a 30-days period starting on 1 - 30 September 2020.

Deliverables: The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

• Inception report outlining the assessment design and criteria, scope, methodology, data collection/review/analysis, timeframe and respondents in consultations.
• First Draft Assessment Report presented to UNCT for comments, inputs or validation
• A final Assessment report.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Excellent writing skills in English
• Strong understanding of the development context in Eswatini and national development vision and strategies
• Prior experience in evaluating UN programmes will be an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Internationally/national reputable M&E practitioner.
• Master’s degree or advanced degree in relevant fields (social sciences, development studies, international development among others)

Experience:

• 10 years of relevant experience, specifically in evaluating programmes and/or conducting complex assessments and/or evaluations
• Knowledge of and ability to apply theoretical knowledge in the design, management and assessment or evaluation of complex multidisciplinary programmes involving the national government, county governments civil society and international organizations.

Language:

• Fluency in English