Job Title: Consultancy
: UNDP COUNTRY PROGRAMME ACTION PLAN (CPAP) 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW (UGANDAN NATIONALS)
Location : Kampala, UGANDA
Application Deadline : 10-Oct-12
Additional Category Management
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : National Consultant
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 05-Nov-2012
Duration of Initial Contract : 24 working days
Expected Duration of Assignment : 24 working days
Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uganda is supporting implementation of the Government’s National Development Plan (NDP) and is contributing to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF 2010-2014) outcomes through six Country Programme Action Programme (CPAP 2010 - 2014) outcomes namely:
Selected institutions at national and sub-national level have capacity and delivery credible elections
Selected institutions capacitated to deliver community security and access to justice services
Capacity of selected local governments and oversight entities have capacity and deliver accountable, inclusive, and demand-driven social and economic services
Increased productivity, competitiveness and employment in selected sub sectors, particularly benefiting women and youth.
National and local institutions have capacity to develop, implement and monitor pro-poor and Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) responsive policies/strategies.
Selected institutions have capacity for Sustainable Environment and Natural Resources Management (ENRM) as well as Climate Change (CC) Adaptation and Mitigation.
Implementation of the CPAP is being delivered through two main programme components: 1) Accountable democratic governance and 2) growth and poverty reduction. While the design of the CPAP was informed by a comprehensive Assessment of Development Results (ADR) exercise (September, 2009), commencement of its implementation was delayed (2011) due to various unforeseen circumstances, including, the recently (2012) concluded Country Office (CO) transformation process which resulted in a CO scenario of predominantly new staff. Similarly, considering the shift in programming focus of the new CPAP, majority of Implementing Partners are also new to UNDP programming policies, procedures and processes, a situation that has caused substantive delays in the roll out of the CPAP. There are concerns that unless there's improved focus and prioritization of the CPAP and systematic linkages between CO programme units work, personal and organizational accountability and; increased efficacy of Programme operations it will be difficult to deliver the intended CPAP development results.
In order to ascertain whether CPAP implementation is on track in demonstrating evaluative evidence of UNDP’s contributions to the UNDAF and NDP results, the CO wishes to undertake a results based mid-term review and assessment of programme implementation, to critically examine opportunities and constraints to the ongoing CPAP implementation strategy, CO programming and provide recommendations to enhance programme delivery and overall development effectiveness. Further to this review exercise is expected to build on the outcome of the on-going UNDAF mid-term review.
CPAP Review Objectives and Key Questions:
The key objective of this review is to assess whether CPAP implementation is on track as well as ascertain the extent of achievement of programme results, and draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits which will inform the overall enhancement of UNDP programming. The annual review will be done to track progress of UNDP CPAP results at the agency outcomes and outputs levels. The specific objectives include:
To ensure that the CPAP (2010-2014) programming processes, products and services are/will contribute to the achievement of planned results.
Ascertain that accountability for results is clearly defined and that relevant systematic quality control, monitoring, self-assessment and reporting systems are in place.
Provide/recommend a strategy(ies) for corrective action as may be necessary;
Support CO substantive accountability function to targeted beneficiaries and serve as a vehicle for quality assurance of UNDP interventions at the country level
Generate lessons to inform current and future UNDP Country Office programming
Duties and Responsibilities
This CO CPAP programming and operations review is intended to enhance UNDP's development effectiveness and project quality; be responsive to the prevailing development context, operational challenges and/or opportunities and; complementary to existing internal control, supervision, audit, quality control, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems in place.
The annual review will specifically address the following key questions:
Analysis of the effectiveness of the CPAP focus and/or progress towards expected Programme results: What progress has been made towards the realization of UNDP CPAP Outcomes and Outputs and in terms of indicators as reflected in the UNDP Country Office integrated work plans from 2011 to 2012? What are the main factors that contributed to the realization or non-realization of these outcomes and outputs (emerging operational challenges and/or opportunities)? Focus should also be on management and implementation arrangements in light of the CPAP cycle and the principles of results based management and accountability mechanisms as contextualized in Programme and Operations Policy and Procedures (POPPs) and the Internal Control Framework, respectively.
Relevance of expected results and adequacy of CPAP focus: To what extent are the UNDP CPAP Outcomes and Outputs still relevant to UNDAF and Uganda’s NDP? What are the other areas of concern/issues that fall under the UNDP mandate that should be considered as possible contribution to the United Nations (UN) in Uganda, if any?
Assess the contribution of the current joint programmes to the achievement of the UNDP outcomes/outputs. Identify new opportunities for convergence and synergies across agencies programmes, joint programmes and M&E activities.
Sustainability: To what extent are there financial, institutional, social-economic, and/or environmental mechanisms and risks to sustaining long-term project results? What is the status/relevance of the stated UNDP Country Office risks and assumptions? What are the new risks and assumptions, if any?
What are the key best practices and success stories in the realization of the targeted results up to 2014?
Assess whether there any necessary revisions to programme approach, cross-cutting strategies, partnerships, resource mobilization/allocations and the M&E Plan?
What are the recommendations for follow-up in 2012-2014? Recommendations should be based on the above analysis, for changes and improvements in the UNDP CPAP implementation/management/operational policies/procedures, the functioning of the programme delivery/accountability mechanisms, and its operating and administrative procedures.
Review Approach / Methodology:
The consultants are expected to frame the review effort using the criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact, as defined and explained in the UNDP Guidance for Conducting reviews/ Evaluations of UNDP-supported projects. A set of questions covering each of these criteria have been drafted and are included in this ToR. This review must provide evidence-based information that is credible, reliable and useful.
The consultants are expected to follow a participatory and consultative approach ensuring close engagement with stakeholders including project beneficiaries, implementing partners, senior management, programme staff to assess CPAP implementation strategy and operational modalities. The review will include a CPAP stakeholder consultation process. This consultation is envisaged to include two phases. The first phase will be internal to UNDP while the second phase will include the wider CPAP stakeholders’ community.
There will be a review of all relevant sources of information, such as the project documents, project reports, project budget revisions, midterm review, progress reports, tracking tools, project files, national strategic and legal documents, and any other material that the reviewer considers useful for this evidence-based assessment. Key programme documents will be provided to the consultants.
In addition, interviews with key informants and stakeholders will be held. Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions, Interviews, Field visits, Observations, Participation of partners and Benchmarking should be used.
Implementation Arrangements:
The principal responsibility for managing this review resides with the UNDP Country Office in Uganda. The UNDP Country Office will contract the consultants and ensure the timely provision of travel (including per diems) arrangements within the country for the review team. The Project Implementing partners will be responsible for liaising with the consultancy team to set up stakeholder interviews, arrange field visits and coordinate with the Government. The CPAP annual review consultants will be under the direct supervision of UNDP Country Office Senior Management with operational support by the Management Support Unit.
Evaluation Deliverables:
The review team is expected to deliver the following Deliverable Content Responsibilities:
Inception Report
Presentation (Initial Findings will be presented to UNDP Country Office, then at the Stakeholders meeting in Kampala)
Draft Final Report (Full report, with annexes)
Final report (40 pages, MS word font 12, Times Roman (excluding annexes),including 5 bound hard copies and 1 Soft copy)
Team Composition:
The review team will be composed of two national consultants one of whom will be the Lead/ Team Leader and the 2nd Consultant, who will be the Support Consutlant. The consultants shall have prior experience in reviewing and/or evaluating similar programmes /projects.
General Description of Responsibilities :
Present and discuss an inception Report with the programme Team. This report should include, but not limited to:
Detailed Work Plan Schedule – based on the draft schedule shown below;
Detailed Data Collection Methodology
Data Collection Tools
Conduct desk review - collect and analyze:
Project data
Programme annual work plans, reports, studies and other pertinent documents
Progress against the UNDAF results (Outcomes, Agency Outcome, Outputs) and indicators.
2010 and 2011 UNDAF Annual Review Reports other related documents
Conduct participatory processes in data collection:
Meet with the programme staff to solicit input and feedback into the review
Conduct field visits to validate reported results
Collect best practices/success stories from various projects on how they have increased efficiency and effectiveness in development activities such as, but not limited to:
Achieving collective UNDAF/NDP results
UN engagement in the national development strategy
Effectiveness of joint programmes and joint programming in achieving results, etc.
Present report findings to UNDP staff:
Discuss findings with the UNDP management during the review process
Make a final presentation to UNDP staff during the CPAP review retreat.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities of Team Leader:
The Team Leader will have overall responsibility for the work and operation of the review team, including the coordination of inputs from National Consultant and stakeholders. The Team Leader is responsible and overall accountable for the production of the agreed products.
In addition to the above the Team Leader is responsible for the following:
Review of programme documentation (implementation/evaluation reports etc)
Conducting fieldwork together with the national consultant and interview of implementing partners, other stakeholders, national and local Government officials, and communities to generate authentic information and opinions.
Writing and compilation of the information and reports as needed.
Responsibility for presentation of key findings highlighting achievements and constraints, and making practical recommendations to decision makers and stakeholders.
Finalization of the CPAP Report.
Specific Duties of the 2nd (Support) Consultant:
The Support Consultant will support the Lead Consultant and work with stakeholders to deliver the agreed product.
In addition to the above the 2nd (Support) Consultant is responsible for the following:
Review of documentation to be provided by the project (implementation/evaluation reports)
Conducting fieldwork together with the Lead consultant and interview of stakeholders, national and local Government officials, and communities to generate authentic information and opinions.
Writing and compilation of the information and reports as needed.
Responsibility for presentation of key findings highlighting achievements and constra
ints, and making practical recommendations to decision makers and stakeholders.
Duration and timing:
Item Timeline
Desk review of documents and preparation of inception Report (home-based) 4 days
Presentation of Inception Report 1 day
Fieldwork 11 days
Analysis and Preparation of the Draft Report 4 days
Draft report presentation to stakeholders workshop to validate draft report findings (in Kampala) 2 days
Incorporation of comments from the stakeholder workshop 2 days
Submission of Final report by Lead Consultant to UNDP
Competencies
Both Consultants should have the following competencies:
Excellent analytical and communication skills with the ability to conceptualize
Politically astute and culturally sensitive
Required Skills and Experience
Required qualifications for the Team Leader:
PhD or Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Economics or related social sciences
Required skills and experience for the Team Leader:
15 years of relevant experience at the national and international levels in Uganda, East Africa on international development issues, both in the field and Head Quarters
10 years experience in monitoring and evaluation with a background in the analysis of socio-economic issues and related policy matters
10 years experience with conducting research using different methodologies / tools.
10 years experience of participatory processes
Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems
Solid knowledge of the UN system including the UN agencies and policy frameworks in Uganda
Desirable:
Familiarity with the UNDAF, UN agencies, mandates, programmes and activities
Experience working in Uganda.
Experience working with the UN
Knowledge of Uganda political and social culture, policies/laws and programmes is an asset.
Experience in leading small multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams to deliver quality products in high stress, short deadline situations.
Required qualifications for the 2nd (Support) Consultant:
PhD or Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Economics or related social sciences
Required skills and experience for the 2nd (Support) Consultant:
10 years of relevant experience at the national and international levels in Uganda, East Africa on international development issues,
Substantive knowledge of participatory M&E processes is essential, and experience with CBOs/community development processes, and country experience in Uganda are advantages.
Experience in the review/evaluation of technical assistance projects, if possible with UNDP or other UN development agencies and major donors, is required.
Excellent English writing and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations in order to analyse critical issues succinctly and clearly and draw forward-looking conclusions.
Language Requirements:
Both Consultants should have excellent English writing and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations in order to analyse critical issues succinctly and clearly and draw forward-looking conclusions.
Application Procedure:
Applicants are requested to apply online at http://jobs.undp.org . Applicants are required to submit an application and proposal, which should include the following:
Job Proposal:
Letter of Interest.
Explanation as to why you consider yourself suitable for the assignment.
A brief methodology on the approach and implementation of the assignment.
Personal C.V:
Highlighting past experience in similar projects.
Work references - contact details (e-mail addresses) of referees.
Financial Proposal:
Financial proposal indicating consultancy fee, lump sum fee or unit price together with any other expenses related to the assignment (e.g. travel costs, translation interpretation, holding of workshops/focus group discussion etc). A lump sum fee will be paid against the completion of specific, measurable deliverables as identified in ‘Key Deliverables’
Payment Schedule:
The project will be completed in 24 working days (spread over a total period of 1 month). Payment will be made against submission and approval of the outlined deliverables by the team. Please note that payment shall be made to individual consultants upon confirmation of completion of and contribution to all consultancy deliverables.
The payment schedule to be followed is as below:
20% of the cost after submission and approval of the inception report
20% of the cost after completion of the presentation
20% of the cost after submission and approval of the draft report.
40% of the cost after submission and approval of the final report.
Important:
Applicants should clearly indicate the position being applied for; either(i) Team Leader: or (ii) 2nd (Support Consultant). Aplications/proposals without clear indication of the above will not be disqualified.
The System will only allow you to upload one document. Therefore, the proposal and CV should be saved in a single document (WORD or PDF) and uploaded at the same time.
Any form of canvassing will lead to dis-qualification of application
How to Apply:
http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=33002
Deadline: 10th Oct 2012
1:43 AM
Harriet