International Individual Consultant: To Undertake a Terminal Evaluation at UNDP - United Nations Development Programme in Uganda

Position title: International Individual Consultant: To Undertake a Terminal Evaluation of the Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management in Activities of Six Cattle Corridor Districts, Kampala
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required : English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start): 04-Nov-2013
Duration of Initial Contract : 20 Working Days
Expected Duration of Assignment : 20 Working Days

Brief Job Background
The Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management (SLM) in activities of six cattle corridor districts of Uganda project is being implemented in Nakaseke, Lyantonde, Nakasongola, Kamuli, Sembabule, and Kaliro districts. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and benefits from financial support provided by the Royal Norwegian Government through the UNDP Drylands Development Centre. The programme in Uganda was started in 2003. During this phase the programme supported Sembabule District to mainstream/integrate drylands issues into its District Development Plan (DDP). This was achieved through supporting District Environment Action Planning (DEAP) processes. Using the lessons learnt from this experience, a second phase was developed in 2008 to support the above 6 cattle corridor districts also known as the drylands to mainstream SLM activities into their District Development Plans. The project (PRODOC) covering the period 2009-2011 was signed by Government and UNDP in late 2009 and full project implementation began in 2010. The project was scheduled to end on 31 December 2012; however various challenges and constraints derailed the implementation process and led to delays in the full delivery of all intended outputs of the project. UNDP therefore requested a further no cost extension from the donor to enable Uganda to conclude the on-going project activities under implementation as well as to carry out final project evaluations and reporting by 31 December 2013. The project to mainstream SLM activities in the six cattle corridor districts of Uganda was developed to contribute to the UNDP Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) outcome 'Enterprises and communities, particularly women, are able to access alternative energy, adapt to climate change and sustainably use natural resources for productive purposes'. The main project objectives are: (i) to support mainstreaming of SLM issues into District Development Plans (DDPs) and budgets, (ii) to support adoption of sustainable livelihood and land management practices by local communities in the cattle corridor districts, and (iii) to strengthen the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and National Action Plan (NAP) Focal Point Office in the Ministry of Agriculture animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in implementation of the National SLM Investment Framework.

The programme component targeted 3 outputs which included:
    Priority SLM interventions integrated in the DDPs and budgets of 6 districts;
    Priority SLM interventions implemented by rural communities in the 6 target districts;
    Capacity of the UNCCD/NAP focal point strengthened to support SLM country program;
    Lessons learned and best practices synthesised and disseminated.

A Mid-Term Review was carried out from January to March 2013. The MTR was aimed at assessing the implementation of the Project as well as the extent to which it had achieved its intended objectives and results, and generating lessons learnt to guide the implementation of the remaining activities of Project. MTR findings highlighted that the Project is very relevant for both the communities , the district and Uganda as a nation in their needs to alleviate poverty through improved land productivity, and relevant for the implementation of the UNCCD. The MTR highlighted that the project had significant impacts at the community and district levels and its institutional framework was good enough to ensure sustainability of results at the national, at sector level, at district and community levels. The project built capacity of districts to mainstream SLM into their development plans and budgets, trained established CBOs in resource mobilisation and carried out activities that addressed long term environmental challenges and addressed all risks that would deter sustainability. As a way forward the MTR recommended that the current project is finalized through a no-cost extension and further phases of the project are followed to ensure full implementation of UNCCD issues in Uganda.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
The Objective and the  Scope of the assignment:

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) policy at the project level in UNDP has four key objectives namely:
    i) to monitor and evaluate results and impacts;
    ii) to provide a basis for decision making on necessary amendments and improvements;
    iii) to promote accountability for resource use; and
    iv) to document, provide feedback on, and disseminate lessons learned. A mix of tools is used to ensure effective project M&E.

These might be applied continuously throughout the lifetime of the project, e.g., periodic monitoring of indicators, or as specific time-bound exercises such as mid-term reviews, audit reports and independent evaluations. The UNDP M & E policy stipulates that projects undergo a Terminal Evaluation (TE). TE is beneficial for project performance assessment as it provides an independent in-depth review of project outcomes and impact. TEs are intended to identify unforeseen project design problems and implementation challenges, assess progress towards the achievement of objectives, identify and document lessons learned (including lessons that might improve design and implementation of other UNDP projects), and to make recommendations regarding specific actions that might be taken if a follow up project is to be designed. The proposed TE will cover the project period up to the end. The TE will be conducted according to the guidance, rules and procedures established by UNDP in the UNDP Evaluation guidelines.

The main objective is to:
To assess the extent of achievement of the intended results defined in the PRODOC, and identify opportunities, challenges and lessons learnt during implementation, and determine relevance of a next phase.

The Scope of work and deliverablesThe Consultant will deliver on the following:
    Assess the validity of assumptions used in the development of the SLM mainstreaming programme;
    Appraise the innovativeness of the SLM programme as a delivery mechanism for the implementation of the UNCCD;
    Identify strengths and weaknesses in the Programme design and implementation;
    Ascertain achievements to date; to what extent the Programme has moved towards achievement of the objectives and outputs under the three outcomes in the results framework and the need for continued focus;
    Assess achievemnst likely sustainability of results;
    Examine the significance of un-expected effects, whether beneficial or detrimental in character;
    Assess to what extent the Programme has contributed to building capacity at national, district and community levels to formulate, implement and monitor actions/activities for sustainable land management;
    Identify and assess lessons learnt and best practices in relation to achievement of the programme objectives and outputs;
    Assess how the SLM programme has adapted to emerging issues and trends such as climate change, energy and other emerging issues, etc.;
    Determine the relevance of continuing the support of the Government of Norway beyond this phase of the Programme (end of current agreement), including possible financial and institutional arrangements to pursue cooperation.

In addition to the Consultant is responsible for:
    Review of documentation to be provided by the project (implementation/evaluation reports);
    Conducting fieldwork together with the technical expert and interview of stakeholders, national and local Government officials, and communities (especially private forest owners) 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 Terminal Evaluation Report.

The Expected Outputs and Deliverables:
    Desk review of documents and preparation of inception Report (home-based);
    Presentation of Inception Report;
    Fieldwork;
    Prepare and submit Draft Report to UNDP for review by Regional Technical Advisor, Project Coordination Unit, GEF;
    Operational Focal Points;
    Draft report presentation to stakeholders workshop to validate draft report findings;
    Preparation and submission of Final Terminal Evaluation Report.
 
Key Skills and Competencies
Functional Competencies:

    Excellent Analytical Skills;
    Positive, constructive attitude towards work;
    Ability to act professionally and flexibly to engage with government officials, donor representatives, and local communities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

    PhD or MSc degree and at least 10 years experience in natural resources management, climate change adaptation/ mitigation, socio-economic development or related fields.

Experience:

    Familiarity with integrated ecosystems development projects in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, either through managing or evaluating donor-funded projects;
    Substantive knowledge of participatory M&E processes is essential, and experience with CBOs/community development processes; experience in Sustainable Land Management and the design, implementation and/or management of community and local level sustainable livelihoods initiatives, and country experience in Uganda are advantages;
    Experience in the evaluation of technical assistance projects, if possible with UNDP or other UN development agencies and major donors, is required. A demonstrated understanding of UNDP principles and expected impacts in terms of poverty reduction and sustainable development is essential;
    Familiarity and knowledge of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, integrated approaches to dry lands development and capacity development projects would be an asset;
    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;
    Experience in leading small multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams to deliver quality products in high stress, short deadline situations.

Language Requirements:

    English is required & high level writing skills are essential.

Duration of the Work: The assignment will be executed in a period of 20 working days staggered between November 4, 2013 and December 5, 2013. The Consultant is expected to adhere to the specific dates due to the urgency to commence implementation of this planned assignment. Any delays or deferment of the assignment may hamper budget allocations for the interventions. UNDP / Other designated authority will approve each deliverable within a maximum of 3 days following the submission of the product by the Consultant.

Price Proposal and schedule of payments: Payment to the Consultant will be made in two installments upon satisfactory completion of the following deliverables:

    30% of the contract amount upon submission of an acceptable inception report;
    70% of the contract amount upon submission, presentation and approval of draft report and upon submission, presentation and approval of final terminal evaluation report.

Lump Sum Amount approach shall be used with the following expectations:

    The lump sum amount must be 'all-inclusive';
    The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components;
    The initial payment indicated in deliverable one includes the actual cost of the IC's travel to arrive at the designated Duty Station.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

    Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
    Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 70%-30%;
    Technical Criteria weight; [70%];
    Financial Criteria weight; [30%].

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation Technical Criteria – Maximum 100 points

    Expertise of the Individual – 30 Points;
    Description of approach/methodology to assignment – 70 Points.

The Procedure For Application:
Interested individual required to submit an online application by 30th October 2013 through the UNDP Jobs website (http://jobs.undp.org) including the following documents/information in a single document (preferably in Adobe PDF format):

Documents to be included when submiting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

    Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);
    Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Technical proposal:

    Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
    A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment;
    Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (Annex G);
    Interested applicants should send an email to: justine.naiga-bagonza@undp.org and copy agnes.kintu@undp.org for a detailed copy of the Terms of Reference.

Annex I: Individual Contractor General Terms and Conditions; Annex II: Template to Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Submission of Financial Proposal.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing Date: Wednesday, 30 October 2013
View the source website for this Job