FINAL TERM EVALUATION FOR THE JOINT PROGRAMME FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE TO SUSTAIN JORDAN'S MDG ACHIEVEMENTS PROJECT - UNDP - AMMAN, JORDAN

Location: Amman, JORDAN

Application Deadline: 10-Nov-12

Type of Contract: Individual Contract

Post Level: International Consultant

Languages Required: English 

Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 25-Nov-2012

Duration of Initial Contract: 35 working days during the period 25 November 2012 – 5 February , 2013.

Expected Duration of Assignment: 35 working days during the period 25 November 2012 – 5 February , 2013.

Background

In December 2006, the UNDP and the Government of Spain signed a major partnership agreement for the amount of €528 million with the aim of contributing to progress on the MDGs and other development goals through the United Nations System. In addition, on 24 September 2008 Spain pledged €90 million towards the launch of a thematic window on Childhood and Nutrition. The MDG-F supports joint programmes that seek replication of successful pilot experiences and impact in shaping public policies and improving peoples’ life in 49 countries by accelerating progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and other key development goals. The MDG-F operates through the UN teams in each country, promoting increased coherence and effectiveness in development interventions through collaboration among UN agencies. The Fund uses a joint programme mode of intervention and has currently approved 128 joint programmes in 49 countries. These reflect eight thematic windows that contribute in various ways towards progress on the MDGs, National Ownership and UN reform. The MDG-F M&E Strategy: A result oriented monitoring and evaluation strategy is under implementation in order to track and measure the overall impact of this historic contribution to the MDGs and to multilateralism. The MDG-F M&E strategy is based on the principles and standards of UNEG and OEDC/DAC regarding evaluation quality and independence. The strategy builds on the information needs and interests of the different stakeholders while pursuing a balance between their accountability and learning purposes. The strategy’s main objectives are: To support joint programmes to attain development results; To determine the worth and merit of joint programmes and measure their contribution to the 3 MDG-F objectives, MDGS, Paris Declaration and Delivering as one; and To obtain and compile evidence based knowledge and lessons learned to scale up and replicate successful development interventions. Under the MDG-F M&E strategy and Programme Implementation Guidelines, each programme team is responsible for designing an M&E system, establishing baselines for (quantitative and qualitative) indicators and conducting a final evaluation with a summative focus. The MDG-F Secretariat also commissioned mid-term evaluations for all joint programmes with a formative focus. Additionally, a total of nine-focus country evaluations (Ethiopia, Mauritania, Morocco, Timor-Leste, Philippines, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Honduras and Ecuador) are planned to study more in depth the effects of joint programmes in a country context.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Objectifes, Responsibilities and Description of the Proposed Analytical Work: One of the roles of the Secretariat is to monitor and evaluate the MDG-F. This role is fulfilled in line with the instructions contained in the Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy and the Implementation Guide for Joint Programmes under the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund. These documents stipulate that all joint programmes will commission and finance a final independent evaluation. Final evaluations are summary in nature and seek to: Measure to what extent the joint programme has fully implemented their activities, delivered outputs and attained outcomes and specifically measuring development results. Generate substantive evidence based knowledge, on one or more of the MDG-F thematic windows by identifying best practices and lessons learned that could be useful to other development interventions at national (scale up) and international level (replicability). As a result, the findings, conclusions and recommendations generated by these evaluations will be part of the thematic window Meta evaluation, the Secretariat is undertaking to synthesize the overall impact of the fund at national and international level. Scope of the Evaluation and Specific Objectives:  The final evaluation will focus on measuring development results and potential impacts generated by the joint programme, based on the scope and criteria included in this terms of reference. This will enable conclusions and recommendations for the joint programme to be formed within a period between four and six months. The unit of analysis or object of study for this evaluation is the joint programme, understood to be the set of components, outcomes, outputs, activities and inputs that were detailed in the joint programme document and in associated modifications made during implementation. This final evaluation has the following specific objectives: Measure to what extent the joint programme has contributed to solve the needs and problems identified in the design phase. To measure joint programme’s degree of implementation, efficiency and quality delivered on outputs and outcomes, against what was originally planned or subsequently officially revised. Measure to what extent the joint programme has attained development results to the targeted population, beneficiaries, participants whether individuals, communities, institutions, etc. To measure the joint programme contribution to the objectives set in their respective specific thematic windows as well as the overall MDG fund objectives at local and national level. (MDGs, Paris Declaration and Accra Principles and UN reform). To identify and document substantive lessons learned and good practices on the specific topics of the thematic window, MDGs, Paris Declaration, Accra Principles and UN reform with the aim to support the sustainability of the joint programme or some of its components.

Competencies

Sound knowledge about results-based management (especially results-oriented monitoring and evaluation). Full computer literacy.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications: A master degree or equivalent on international development, public policy, social science, engineering or related field is a requirement. Further education or a concentration in monitoring and/or evaluation would be an asset.  Years of experience: A combination of 5 years of recognized expertise in: Conducting or managing evaluations, assessments, audits, research or review of development projects, programmes, countries or thematic areas and Having thematic expertise in environment and climate change , international development programmes and or assessing or evaluating one or more of the MDG-F thematic areas; (youth and employment; economic and private sector development; environment and climate change; conflict prevention and peace building; cultural diversity and development, economic governance, children and nutrition, gender and women’s empowerment).  Language Requirements: Knowledge of English is required.

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.

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