UNDP Jobs in Kampala; Mid-Term Review for the EBA in the MT Elgon Ecosystem

Job Title:        Mid-Term Review for the EBA in the MT Elgon Ecosystem
Job Location:        Kampala, Uganda
Employer:        UNDP
Additional Category    Environment and Energy
Type of Contract :    Individual Contract
Post Level :        National Consultant
Languages Required :    English 
Starting Date :        (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)    14-Apr-2014
Duration of Initial Contract :        15 days spread over 2 months
Expected Duration of Assignment :    15 days
Background
The Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) Programme for Mountain Ecosystems in Uganda, Nepal and Peru aims to strengthen the capacities of these three countries, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, to build ecosystem resilience for promoting Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EBA) options and to reduce the vulnerability of communities, with particular emphasis on mountain ecosystems. The programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) through its International Climate Initiative, and is implemented through a partnership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Climate change impacts are already affecting the functioning and integrity of several ecosystems in Mount Elgon and are adding to the stress resulting from other anthropogenic interventions such as unsustainable land use practices. The project countries and targeted ecosystems have been identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. A multitude of communities depend upon the services provided by these ecosystems. EBA is defined as the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. EBA uses the range of opportunities for the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems to provide services that enable people to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Specifically the project supports the following 4 components: • the development of methodologies and tools for mountain ecosystems; • the application of the above tools and methodologies at the national level; • the implementation of EBA pilots at the ecosystem level; and • the formulation of national policies and building an economic case for EBA at the national level.

The project creates new opportunities for experimental learning between regions and among countries within the same region. Through parallel and cooperative development and application of methodologies and tools and the implementation of pilot projects, the project is intended to shorten the learning curve of local and national institutions and fast-track the transfer of knowledge and experience in relation to building ecosystem resilience. The five year (2011-2015) Ecosystem Based Adaptation to climate Change (EBA) Project is implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with UNDP, IUCN and UNEP. The different partners are responsible for certain components through the coordination of the Programme Management Unit (PMU) within the MWE, covering the implementation in the districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, Bulambuli and Sironko. The overall programme is governed by the National Programme Steering Committee composed of up to 14 members (Annex 1).

Duties and Responsibilities
Consultancy Rationale UNDP at the country level plays the coordination role of the other partners in the implementation of the EBA project activities. The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) policy at the project level in UNDP has four key objectives namely:

• To monitor and evaluate results and impacts;
• To provide a basis for decision making on necessary amendments and improvements;
• To promote accountability for resource use; and
• 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. Mid Term Reviews (MTR) are monitoring tools to assess project status and challenges, identify corrective actions to ensure that projects are on track to achieve planned outcomes as detailed in results framework annex II. The MTRs are beneficial for project implementation as they provide an independent in-depth review of implementation progress, and this is responsive to the need for transparency and better access of information during implementation. This MTR is going to cover the project period up to date. The MTR will be conducted according to the guidance, rules and procedures established by United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) guidelines.

Scope of Work Consultancy Objectives This MTR is intended to identify potential project design problems, assess progress towards the achievement of objectives, identify and document lessons learned (including lessons that might improve design and implementation of other EBA projects), and to make recommendations regarding specific actions that might be taken to improve the project. It is expected to serve as a means of validating or filling the gaps in the initial assessment of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency obtained from monitoring. The MTR provides the opportunity to assess early signs of project success or failure and prompt necessary adjustments. The specific objectives of the MTR are to;

• Identify unforeseen project design problems;
• Assess progress towards the achievement of objectives – especially towards Strengthening Uganda’s Capacity to promote ecosystem based adaptation to climate change and to reduce the vulnerability of communities on the Mt. Elgon ecosystem and improving livelihoods in line with the 4 components of the project;
• Identify the changes caused by the project to sustainable livelihoods;
• To verify the effective and efficient use of funds to deliver results.
• Make recommendations regarding what should be done during the rest of the project life;
• Analyze the project performance up to now in the context of the institutional framework and events in Uganda.

Detailed Consultancy Activities Scope of work and Deliverables

The Lead Consultant will have overall responsibility for the work and operations of the evaluation team, including the coordination of inputs from the national consultant. The lead consultant is responsible and overall accountable for the production of the agreed products. S/He will deliver on the following:

• Identify strengths and weaknesses in the Programme design and implementation, in particular implementation arrangements and its impacts on efficiency and effectiveness of converting resources (money, time) into results and impacts;
• Ascertain achievements and impacts to date; to what extent the Programme has moved towards achievement of the objectives and outputs under the four outcomes in the results framework and the need for continued focus (in particular achieving global environment benefits and improvement in livelihoods);
• Assess likelihood of sustainability of results and determine the key elements of the exit strategy that would increase the likelihood of sustaining critical results;
• Examine the significance of un-expected effects, whether beneficial or detrimental in character;
• Address underlying causes and issues contributing to targets not adequately achieved;
• Recommend for any necessary changes in the overall design and orientation of the project by evaluating the adequacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of its implementation, as well as assessing the project outputs and outcomes to date;
• Assess if there is evidence that sustainability of benefits is being built into the project (institutional and financial capacity)
• Provide detailed recommendations on the work plan for the remaining project period and to assess early signs of the project success or failure, and prompt any necessary adjustments;
• 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 ecosystem based adaptation;
• Verify the effective and efficient use of funds to deliver results todate.
• Assess the validity of assumptions used in the development of the EBA programme;
• Identify and assess lessons learnt and best practices in relation to achievement of the programme objectives and outputs;
• Assess how the EBA programme has adapted to any emerging/crosscutting issues and trends.

To this effect the MTR will pay attention to:
• Project formulation o Conceptualization/Design o Stakeholder participation
• Project Implementation o Implementation Approach o Monitoring & Evaluation o Stakeholder participation.
• Results o Attainment of outcomes/achievement of objectives (Relevance, effectiveness, Efficiency & sustainability o Financial delivery of resources versus the project results achieved o Organizational Structure, managerial support & coordination mechanism.

Consultancy Final Deliverables
• An Inception Report (within 3 working days of signing the contract), this should provide details of the methodological approach to be used by the consultants to undertake the study;
• A Draft evaluation report of approximately 40 pages, excluding annexes, according to the attached detailed breakdown. The report will be in English and will be prepared and submitted in MS Word, with tables in Excel where necessary;
• A PowerPoint presentation (15 – 25 slides) covering the key points of the MTR with the main findings and recommendations also provided;
• A Final MTR Report submitted within a week of receiving written comments on the drafts from Ministry of Water & Environment, UNDP, IUCN, UNEP and partners.

Consultancy Implementation Arrangements The contract will be performance-based, for 15 working days spread over a period of 2 months. Terms and conditions of service linked to the type of proposed contract will apply with overall reporting to the UNDP Country Director or her designate.

The consultant will have all technical obligations and guidance on a day-to-day basis from the EBA Programme Management Unit (PMU) and will report to UNDP on all contractual obligations or as shall be advised by UNDP. Coordination of the consultancy activities with the EBA partner/implementing organizations, and stakeholders in the Mount Elgon districts and national level, will be conducted with the PMU, to ensure appropriate communications about the project and easy access to stakeholders.

It is expected that this contract will require the consultants to closely work with the regional colleagues more especially the EBA- UNDP Global technical Coordinator. The partners in co-ordination with the Uganda EBA National Programme Coordinator will provide technical guidance during the implementation of the consultancy activities. The consultancy technical report will be submitted to the Uganda EBA National Programme Coordinator.

The contractor shall be invited to present the milestone results of the consultancy at selected workshops or meetings of the project. Costs for any such participation are not included in this tender or contract. The consultant shall be home based reporting on a weekly basis to the National Coordinator. Field based interviews shall be carried out in the districts of Sironko, Bulambuli, Kween and Kapchorwa and to the key government or NGO partners linked with the EBA.

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
• A Master’s Degree or professional qualification in Agriculture, Forestry, Environment or a related field, or natural/environmental sciences, social sciences with a specialization in climate change development, or other closely related field.

Experience
• Experience with working with various stakeholders in Uganda including civil society, government institutions, and international organizations; and experience carrying out similar assignments.
• At least 10 years of work experience at the national level, with excellent knowledge of the climate change, adaptation approaches and institutional environment
• Must have previous experience of at least 3 previous evaluations at the same level
• Demonstrated experience in policy formulation & implementation, and design and/or revision of public finance mechanisms
• Substantive knowledge of participatory M&E processes is essential, and experience with CBOs/community development processes; design, implementation and/or management of community and local level sustainable livelihoods initiatives and country experience in Uganda are advantages;
• A good wealth of experience in the evaluation of technical assistance projects, if possible with IUCN, UNEP, UNDP or other UN development agencies and major donors, is required.
• Demonstrated experience in working with senior government officials, and with bilateral or multilateral donor agencies
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations, succinctly distils critical issues, and draw forward-looking conclusions and recommendations;
• Experience in leading small multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams to deliver quality products in high stress, short deadline situations.

Evaluation Method and Criteria 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.
• 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 70 points Criteria Points
• Education (Advanced degree or higher in Public Finance) 10
• Language skills 5
• Knowledge of the Public Finance 10
• Relevant experience in conducting similar assignments 15
• Relevance of experience in report writing and drafting 10
• Description of approach/methodology to assignment 20

Application Procedure 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 II)

Interested applicants should send an email request to Justine.naiga-bagonza@undp.org and copy diana.nabbanja@undp.org requesting for the complete set of terms of reference with the corresponding annexes.

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.

Deadline Date: 07/04/2014

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