VA Extended: National Individual Consultant to conduct mid-term Evaluation of the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme

Consultant Teaching & Training Programme & Policy

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, Hope...

Please refer tot he TOR attached below for more details ToR_National Consultant_Mid-Term_Evaluation_Focal_Regions-UNICEF.docx

The following results were envisaged at the inception of the Programme:

• Increased institutional capacity of LPAs for the implementation of locally-driven environmentally compliant socio-economic development strategy for integrated local growth and development;
• Improved broader stakeholder (e.g. CSO, private sector) engagement in the planning and monitoring of the socio-economic development strategy;
• Increased quality and availability of public services delivery, including in particular those targeting women; and increased performance of local public utilities;
• More favorable conditions for the attraction of investments, job creation and women and men’s entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship;
• Development and functioning of clusters in line with the smart specialization approach.

Detailed Programme Document (including logical framework or theory of change, monitoring plans and indicators), accomplishments and budget details can be found here: https://www.undp.org/moldova/projects/eu4moldova-focal-regions

How can you make a difference?

1. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES:

Tasks for the National Consultant

Tasks for the International Consultant (for information)

Deliverable

Indicative timeline

Background materials collected and analysed.

7 w.d.

All relevant input documents reviewed

6 w.d.

Deliverable 1 Evaluation outline

April, 2023

Provide inputs to methodology and work plan

1w.d.

Inception report including evaluation methodology and work plan developed and agreed upon

3 w.d.

Deliverable 2

Evaluation Methodology; Work plan

April, 2023

Organize Field visits and meetings with relevant parties

10 w.d.

Visit to Moldova. Project site visits, interviews with implementers, partners and key stakeholders conducted.

7 w.d.

Deliverable 3 Summary key findings presented to UNDP and UNICEF

April-May, 2023

Provide input to the draft evaluation report (developed by international consultant)

7 w.d

Drafting of the Evaluation report

8 w.d.

Deliverable 4 Draft evaluation report

By 25 May, 2023

Presentation of the final evaluation report

2 w.d.

Debriefing with UNDP/UNICEF/EUD

2 w.d.

Deliverable 5 Online presentation

By 31 May, 2023

Final evaluation report provided

3 w.d

Finalization of the evaluation report (incorporating comments received on first drafts)

4 w.d

Deliverable 6 Final evaluation report;

Relevant knowledge products

By 20 June, 2023

Total estimated number of working days - 30

Total estimated number of working days – 30

Required formats for the inception reports, evaluation reports and other deliverables should be included in the annexes of the TOR for the evaluation being commissioned.

2. EVALUATION TEAM COMPOSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Members of the evaluation mission must not have been associated with the Programme’s formulation, implementation or monitoring. It is proposed that the evaluation team to be composed of one international and one national consultant.

The International Consultant will undertake one field visits to Moldova (7 working days).

Specifically, the International Consultant will perform the following tasks:

14. Lead and manage the evaluation mission and assume overall responsibility for its quality and timeliness;
15. Supervise the work of the national expert (during entire evaluation period).
16. Design the detailed evaluation methodology (including the methods for data collection and analysis), propose detailed work plan and Evaluation outline;
17. Briefing with EUD/UNDP/UNICEF CO representatives, agreement on the methodology, scope and outline of the Evaluation report prior to the first mission;
18. Desk review of documents;
19. Interviews with project implementing partners, relevant government bodies, NGO, independent experts, beneficiaries and donor representatives;
20. Conduct field visit to the project sites and interviews with local stakeholders;
21. Elaborate summary key findings based on interviews and site visits performed;
22. Debriefing with EUD/ UNDP/UNICEF representatives;
23. Development and submission of the draft Evaluation report. The draft will be shared with the UNDP/UNICEF for review and commenting;
24. Finalize and submission of the final Evaluation report through incorporating suggestions received on the draft report.

The National Consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks:

14. Collection of background materials upon request by International Consultant;
15. Provision of important inputs in developing methodology, work plan and Evaluation report outlines upon request by International Consultant;
16. Assist to the International Consultant in desk review of materials;
17. Assist the International Consultant in developing the mission agenda and establishing meeting with relevant stakeholders;
18. Participation in debriefings with UNDP/UNICEF representatives;
19. Arranging field visits and assisting the International Consultant in interviewing local stakeholders at project sites, provision of interpretation in communication with beneficiaries when required;
20. Assist the International Consultant in elaboration of a summary matrix of the project implementation key findings based on interviews and site visits performed;
21. Participate in briefings with UNDP/UNICEF representatives;
22. Assist the International Consultant in developing the first draft of the Evaluation report;
23. Assist the International Consultant in finalization of the Final Evaluation Report through incorporating suggestions received.

The evaluation will be fully independent, and the evaluation team will retain enough flexibility to determine the best approach in collecting and analysing data for the evaluation.

3. EVALUATION’S ETHICS

Evaluations in UN agencies are conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) “Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation”. The Evaluation team will take every measure to safeguard the rights and confidentiality of key information providers in the collection of data.

4. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The consultant will report to UNICEF Education Officer and UNDP Project Manager, who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on his/her performance and all other necessary support so to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to consultant’s performance and quality of work.

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF and UNDP. The consultant is expected to deliver each component of the workplan electronically (in Word format) and in English. At each stage, the deliverable shall be sent to UNICEF Education Officer and UNDP Project Manager by email, with UNICEF Monitoring & Evaluation specialist in copy.

5. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS

The performance of work will be evaluated based on the following indicators:

• Completion of tasks specified in ToR;
• Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables;
• Quality of work;
• Demonstration of high standards in cooperation and communication with UNICEF, UNDP and counterparts

6. APPLICATION PACKAGE

Content of technical proposal

• Motivation Letter, explaining why they are the most suitable for the work including previous experience in similar Projects (please provide brief information on each of the above qualifications, item by item, including information, links/copies of documents that prove participation in similar assignments);

• Proposed approach and methodology (max 1500 words), including:

  • Timeline and milestones
  • Approach to work
  • Risk and mitigation measures
  • Ethical considerations and how the consultant will address them

• Curriculum Vitae including records on past experience in similar projects/assignments and concrete outputs obtained.

Annexes to the ToR

Annexes can be used to provide additional detail about evaluation background and requirements to facilitate the work of evaluators. Some examples include:

• Intervention results framework and theory of change. Provides more detailed information on the intervention being evaluated.
• Key stakeholders and partners. A list of key stakeholders and other individuals who should be consulted, together with an indication of their affiliation and relevance for the evaluation and their contact information. This annex can also suggest sites to be visited.
• Documents to be consulted. A list of important documents and web pages that the evaluators should read at the outset of the evaluation and before finalizing the evaluation design and inception report. This should be limited to the critical information that the evaluation team needs. Data sources and documents may include:
  • Relevant national strategy documents.
  • Strategic and other planning documents (e.g., programme and project documents).
  • Monitoring plans and indicators.
  • Partnership arrangements (e.g., agreements of cooperation with governments or partners).
  • Previous evaluations and assessments.
  • UNDP evaluation policy, UNEG norms and standards and other policy documents.

7. Content of financial proposal

The applicant should fill in the Financial Offer Template and specify an all-inclusive fee to complete the tasks/deliverables described in the Terms of Reference in MDL.

Other expenses directly related to the ToR assignments and deliverables such as: (translation/interpretation costs, local transportation etc.) may be included in the financial offer unless specified that UNICEF will cover them separately (see paragraph 17 and 18 below).

The final selection will be based on the principle of “best value for money” i.e. achieving desired outcome at lowest possible fee.

If not provided by ToR, UNICEF will not reimburse costs not directly related to the assignment. This contract does not allow payment of off-hours, medical insurance, taxes, and sick leave.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

8. EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF NATIONAL CONSULTANT

The candidate is expected to reflect in the submission the qualifications, knowledge and experience related to the requirements listed above. Technical evaluation will be performed through a desk review of applications, evaluation of technical proposals, and if necessary, may be supplemented by an interview.

Criteria

Evaluation Scale Points

Technical:

University degree in Management, Public Administration, Development Studies and/or other relevant fields

5

At least 5 years of professional experience in the areas relevant to the assignment (local development, participatory planning for sustainable development, including participatory monitoring and evaluation)

10

Demonstrated experience in conducting evaluation of projects in the inclusive growth area (minimum two evaluations)

15

Experience in managing, monitoring and evaluating projects for UN or other international development agencies in the region will be an asset

5

Experience in working with UN agencies is an asset

5

Belonging to the group(s) under-represented in the UN Moldova and/or the area of assignment

5

Interview (demonstrated technical knowledge and experience; communication/ interpersonal skills; initiative; creativity/ resourcefulness).

Only the first 5 applicants that have accumulated the highest technical score shall be invited to the interview.

Proven competencies in carrying out needs and capacity assessments; designing feasibility studies/ documentation/ specific regulatory framework/ standard operating procedures

25

Strong understanding and knowledge of regional/local and economic development

Solid understanding of and ability to apply communication and collaboration tools and techniques (MS Office 365, ZOOM, Google tools etc.), including the ability to analyses and use research data outside from the evaluated context

Resourcefulness and creativity

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Command of English language

Additional languages: knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian

Total score (minimum 50 points required for technical qualification)

70

The total amount of points to be allocated for the price component is 30. The maximum number of points (30) will be allotted to the lowest price proposal of a technically qualified offer. Points for other offers will be calculated as Points (x) = (lowest offer/ offer x) * 30.

The selection process is aimed at selecting the applicant who obtains the highest cumulative score (technical evaluation + financial offer evaluation points) following “best value for money” principle.

9. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The payment will be linked to the following deliverables upon satisfactory completion and acceptance by UNICEF and UNDP:

Deliverable

(delivered according to the timeline agreed upon with UNICEF)

Proportion of payment

Deliverable 1 and 2 – initial analysis and contribution to the methodology

20%

Deliverable 3 and 4 – field visits and draft report

50%

Deliverable 5 and 6 – final report

30%

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered for failure to meet deadlines.

10. DEFINITION OF SUPERVISORY ARRANGEMENTS

The specialist will work under the oversight of Education Officer of UNICEF Moldova and Project Manager UNDP, and in partnership with the international individual consultant.

Payments will be rendered upon successful completion of each tas

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University degree in Management, Public Administration, Development Studies and/or other relevant fields;
• At least 5 years of professional experience/technical knowledge in providing management or consultancy services in local development, participatory planning for sustainable development, including participatory monitoring and evaluation;
• Experience in conducting evaluation of projects in the inclusive growth area;
• Experience in managing, monitoring and evaluating projects for UN or other international development agencies in the region will be an asset;
• Fluent in English and Romanian both written and spoken. Knowledge of Russian is an advantage

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.

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.

Remarks:

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

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.

Apply now

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org