Jobs at UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in Uganda

Job Title: Evaluation National Team Member, Home base, Uganda
Closing Date: Tuesday, 02 October 2012

The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) contributes to the achievement of the MDGs through a variety of innovative approaches in the sectors of local development and inclusive finance. UNCDF Financial Inclusion Practice Area (FIPA) operates inclusive finance programmes in 25 least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia/Pacific through a sector-based approach and, more recently, through thematic initiatives.

In 2010, UNCDF and The MasterCard Foundation launched YOUTHSTART- a partnership that will increase access to financial and non-financial services for 200,000 low-income youth, with at least 50% being young women and girls, in Sub-Saharan Africa by December 2014. As of June 2012, through their pilot tests, YouthStart partners have provided financial services to 16,891 youth (of which 39% are young women and adolescent girls), financial education to close to 20,000 youth (of which 38% are young women and girls) and have mobilized close to US$350,000 in savings.

The YouthStart programme will undergo its Mid-Term Evaluation. The objective of this evaluation is to assess the coherence of the programme's theory of change, its progress toward expected outcomes and lessons learnt to date.

The YouthStart mid-term evaluation is scheduled to start in September 2012 until January 2013:

    Pre-mission phase: September to November 2012
    Mission phase: November 2012
    Post-mission phase: November 2012 to January 2013

Duty station: home based (Uganda).

Duration of contract: short term (10-12 days).

Evaluation framework and methodology:
The methodology used for the YouthStart mid-term evaluation is based on UNCDF's core evaluation approach which involves testing the intervention logic/development hypothesis underlying a programme against evidence on its implementation performance.

Specifically, the following three hypotheses will be tested:
1. Introducing sustainable Youth Financial Services by one or two FSPs into a country results in (i) a more appropriate legal and regulatory environment that promotes youth financial inclusion, and(ii) other FSPs consider youth as a viable market and target/serve them with youth-centered products. 2. YFS contribute to increase outreach and sustainability of FSPs. 3. When accessing the right combination of financial and non-financial services, youth and young women in particular, are better equipped to make more informed financial decisions, build assets for their futures and create sustainable livelihoods.

UNCDF has developed a Financial Inclusion Evaluation Matrix based on the standard IF intervention logic. The 7 key questions are organized around the UN/OECD DAC evaluation criteria of relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, likely impact and sustainability of results. The methodology proposed, data collection, analysis methods and the evaluation report is intended to be gender sensitive to the extent possible.

Functional Responsibilities

    Documentation review;
    Contributing to the development of the evaluation plan and methodology;
    Conducting those elements of the evaluation determined by the Team Leader (or designated evaluation member);
    Contributing to presentation of the evaluation findings and recommendations at the de-briefing;
    Contributing to the drafting and finalization of the evaluation report. Competencies:
    Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and good analytical and written skills;
    Displays ability to synthesize research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subject;
    Proven capacity to produce quality evaluation reports;
    Good application of Results-Based Management;
    Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of work, even under pressure;
    Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
    Demonstrates integrity by modeling ethical standards.

    Education/Experience/Language requirements Master in international development, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Development Economics/Planning, monitoring and evaluation or related field; Or Bachelor Degree in the same areas.
    Minimum of 5 years of accumulated experience in microfinance (in youth microfinance and/or in integrated services a plus);
    Proven ability to qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods to assess programme results;
    Knowledge of CGAP benchmarks and industry best practices;
    Familiarity with issues related to youth programming, youth serving organizations and financial products and services for youth.

    Language: working knowledge of English.

How to apply:
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply via UNOPS Website by accessing the following link: https://gprs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=1163

The complete Vacancy Announcements can be also find attached

Deadline: 2nd Oct 2012