International Consultant (Final Evaluation)

Location: Homebased with travel to Kabul, AFGHANISTAN Application Deadline: 03-Mar-20 (Midnight New York, USA) Time left: 5d 13h 48m Type of Contract: Individual Contract Post Level: International Consultant Languages Required: English Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 15-Mar-2020 Expected Duration of Assignment: Three months (maximum 40 working days 20 Homebased and one mission to Afghanistan of around 20 days) Background UNDP Global Mission Statement UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Afghan National Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council Elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground. Project context The Local Governance Project – Afghanistan (LoGo-Afghanistan), is a multi-year, multi-donor project funded by the European Union (EU), Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project which was initiated in October 2015 with the total planned budget of 31,073,867 USD. The project builds on the lessons learned from a previous project, the Afghanistan Sub-National Governance Programme (ASGP) and aims to improve service delivery by enhancing the accountability and transparency of the local government. LoGo-Afghanistan provides support to the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG), 13[1] Provincial Governors Offices (PGOs) and Provincial Councils (PCs), 22[2] Provincial and District Municipalities and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in 17 provinces[3]. The intended output results are:

Output 1: Capacities of PGOs and Provincial Councils improved for inclusive, accountable and transparent service delivery.
Output 2: Municipalities are able to generate more revenues and deliver improved services in a transparent, accountable and participatory manner.
Output 3: Civil Society and citizens have improved oversight capacity of local governance.
Output 4: IDLG is able to develop and implement policies to improve local government accountability and service delivery.

The LoGo project is linked to One UN Outcome 6.3: ‘More capable and inclusive provincial and municipal governments are better able to plan, monitor and budget for accountable and transparent service delivery in accordance with the Sub-National Governance Policy and National Priority Plan’[4] and UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) Outcome 1: ‘Improved legitimate, transparent, and inclusive governance at all levels that enables progressive realization of the human rights’. The Logo project is ending in June 2020 and final evaluation is required to obtain an external assessment of the LoGo project performance and to record lessons learned and recommendations for future local governance support in Afghanistan. References: [1] Bamyan, Daikundi, Helmand, Kabul, Kapisa, Khost, Kunduz, Nimroz, Paktia, Paktika, Panjshir, Sar-e-Pul, and Uruzgan [2] Aqcha, Balkh, Bamyan, Bazarak, Guzara, Hese Awal-e-Kohistan, Injil, Khost, Khulm, Kuhsaan (was replaced with Nijrab), Kunduz, Mahmood Raqi, Nili, Panjwayee, Qarabagh, Sharana/Paktika, Shirkhan Bandar, Spin Boldak, Surkhrood, Turghondi, Turkham, Zaranj [3] Kapisa, Panjsher, Khost, Paktia, Balkh, Herat, Bamyan, Daikundi, Nangarhar, Kabul, Kunduz, Helmand, Nimroz, Urozgan, Paktika and Sar-e-Pol [4] Realigned during the 2018 project revision Duties and Responsibilities SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT Evaluation Scope Final evaluation is conducted to assess the LoGo project performance against the criteria of Relevance, Effectiveness (including Impact), Sustainability and Efficiency and considering the ‘factors affecting the performance’. The evaluation is conducted to demonstrate accountability for results in line with what has been agreed with the donors and national partners. It will record lessons learnt and recommendations for UNDP’s future strategic direction, programme design and partnership building. The evaluation findings will be considered in the on-going programming efforts of the UNDP Country Office around the ‘Governance for Peace’ focus area and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Evaluation will answer the following strategic evaluation questions:

To what extent has LoGo lived up to donor and government counterpart expectations that it contributes to improved local governance structures? In this regard, what have been its most effective approaches and what can be learned from these? (effectiveness)
How has the LoGo partnerships[1] contributed to / hindered achievement of the project results? How can UNDP Afghanistan further enhance its approaches to partnerships in future planning and initiatives? (factors affecting the performance)
Has LoGo been able to identify and meet the local governance needs and opportunities (considering also different citizen groups, including women and men) to deliver the project's intended results? What lessons can be drawn from the conclusion? (relevance and effectiveness, factors affecting the performance)
Over the project’s lifetime, has LoGo been successful in responding and adapting to changes in the political and economic environment in Afghanistan? What lessons does this hold for future GoIRA initiatives.

Competencies Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Maturity combined with tact and diplomacy;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Special skills requirements

Shows ability to communicate and to exercise advocacy skills in front of a diverse set of audience
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a multi-cultural and multiethnic environment;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;

Ability to work independently with strong sense of initiative, discipline and self-motivation.

Required Skills and Experience REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: Academic Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in political science, sociology, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, social science, evaluation, or other closely related field from an accredited university.
SSAFE Certification by the UN will be an advantage

Experience:

At least 10 years of working experience in project/programme evaluation and social research with at least 5 years working with developing countries and a demonstrated understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by post-conflict countries;
Proven track-records in evaluating projects/ programmes of UN or other development agencies;
Strong understanding of evaluation and research methods with strong analytical skills,
Familiarity with UNEG evaluation norms and guidelines and processes required;
Work experience related to governance in developing countries, preferably in local governance level;
Experience working in Afghanistan is considered an advantage.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement. Knowledge of Dari, Pashto is an advantage.

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. More Information and Application Details

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