UNDP Job Vacancy for International Consultant on Mid-Term/Outcome Evaluation

UNDP has continued to play key roles in support of strategic planning both in national and sub national governments. Recognizing the need to provide reliable information to enable effective planning. UNDP continued its support to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) focusing on information management and the development of tools for evidence-based planning and decision making. State Statistical systems have continued to be strengthened and strategically linked with national statistical analysis database systems. Support was provided to the Office of the Special Advisor to the President on MDGs to produce the Millennium Development Goals Reports at the national level that has continued to provide critical information for planning and up scaling action for achievement of the MDGs. Management and harmonization, as well help advance implementation of the Paris Declaration. A macro-economic framework for MDGs based planning on pro-poor policies is being developed to facilitate MDG based planning at national level. However, a critical barrier to planning for achievement of the MDGS in Nigeria continues to be the availability of up to date data on most of the indicators.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PURPOSE, USE AND USERS OF THE EVALUATION:
The purpose of the evaluation is to assess progress with implementation of programme components and achievement of the outcomes on development planning in-order to draw lessons that will enable the UNDP and its partners (National Planning Commission, National Bureau of Statistics and State Planning and Statistical Agencies) to make necessary mid-course adjustments.

OBJECTIVES OF THE EVALUATION:
The main objective of the evaluation is to conduct a mid-term/outcome evaluation to assess programme implementation in the first half of the programme and chart a way forward for the remaining period of the Country Programme Action Plan. The evaluation will specifically address the following key issues:

- Are we really underpinning development planning with work on statistics (evidence-based) or are these just two separate areas with two separate IPs?
- Are we really making a difference in the substance of statistics, or are we just spending millions of dollars on equipment?
- Are there opportunities to tighten up and integrate our work on statistics - development planning state planning public procurement fiscal responsibility i.e. ensuring that Nigeria public funding ends up where it is supposed to?
- Should we also expand our overall concept and start being concerned with delivery rates of public funding?
- Assess relevance of the tools and mechanisms applied by the development planning programs in attaining strategic goals.
- Identify gaps/weaknesses in the current Programme design and provide recommendations for the refocusing the programme.

SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION:
The evaluation team will have to review and assess the progress of the development planning outcomes during 2009-2010 taking into consideration UNDPs contribution to:

- Policy analysis, formulation and implementation
- Capacity building for sustainable human development
- Resource mobilization and coordination;
- Planning, monitoring and evaluation practices

METHODOLOGY:
The evaluators are expected to apply the following approaches for data collection and analysis:
- Desk Review
- Structured interviews with principal partners and stakeholders

FIELD VISITS TO STATES:
Where appropriate a Stakeholders workshop would be necessary

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES:
The consultant is expected to produce interim and final reports of the evaluation which highlights the findings, recommendations and lessons learnt, and give a rating of performance. This report should follow the Outcome Evaluation Report Template and include all sections recommended therein

RESPONSIBILITIES:
- The international consultant should have an advanced university degree in Economics and at least 15 years of work experience in strategic planning, development management and or statistics
- Extensive knowledge about results-based management (especially results-oriented monitoring and evaluation) will be an additional advantage. S/he must be fluent in speaking and writing English

The International consultant will perform the following tasks:

- Lead and manage the evaluation mission
- Design the detailed evaluation scope and methodology (including the methods for data collection and analysis) for the report
- Decide the division of labor within the evaluation team
- Draft related parts of the evaluation reports
- Finalize the whole evaluation report

APPLICANTS COMPETENCIES:
- Advanced University degree in one or more of the following areas: political science, demography, economics, social sciences, public health, law
- At least 15 years experience in development programming
- Expert knowledge of and working familiarity with results-based management, human rights based and gender mainstreaming approaches.
- Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodology
- All-round understanding of the UNs mandate and modus operandi
- Excellent facilitation, communication and writing skills in English
- Ability to work with a team and deliver results

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- International Expert

EDUCATION:
- Applicant should have an advanced university degree in Economics.

EXPERIENCE:
- At least 15 years of work experience in strategic planning, development management and or statistics is required
- Extensive knowledge about results-based management (especially results-oriented monitoring and evaluation) will be an additional advantage.
- Applicant must be fluent in speaking and writing English.

LOCATION:
Abuja, NIGERIA

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
26-Oct-10

ADDITIONAL CATEGORY MANAGEMENT
TYPE OF CONTRACT:
SSA

POST LEVEL:
International Consultant

LANGUAGES REQUIRED:
English

STARTING DATE:
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Nov-2010

DURATION OF INITIAL CONTRACT:
4 Weeks

EXPECTED DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT:
4 Weeks

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