International Consultant: ZUNDAF Evaluation - Harare

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)Duration of Initial Contract :

The 2012-2015 Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF) is the United Nations’ strategic programme framework to support the implementation of National Development Priorities and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

The 2012-2015 ZUNDAF incorporates principles of recovery and development through 7 National Development Priority areas which are:

Good governance for sustainable development;Pro-poor sustainable growth and economic development;Food security at household and national levels;Sound management and use of environment;Access and utilisation of quality basic social services for all;Universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support;Women’s empowerment, gender equality and equity.The ZUNDAF elaboration process, jointly led by the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) with active participation of other partners, promotes national ownership and inclusiveness. Increased effectiveness through UN coherence, a robust M&E framework and the fostering of strong partnerships are key underlying principles of ZUNDAF implementation. 

In going forward, the Government of Zimbabwe has developed a new economic blue print, the 2013-2018 Zimbabwe Agenda for Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset). The objective of the Zim Asset is to provide an enabling environment for sustainable economic empowerment and social transformation. Accordingly, the GoZ and UNCT, through the 2013 ZUNDAF Annual Review and 2014 ZUNDAF Planning Process, have worked to ensure that the ZUNDAF remains aligned to National Development Priorities as stated in the Zim Asset.

In line with the 2014 UNCT Annual Work Plan, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) will engage an international consultant to conduct the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF evaluation. The evaluation will cover the first two and half years of the implementation of the ZUNDAF (January 2012 - June 2014). The consultancy will provide valuable analytical inputs by drawing key lessons learned from the implementation of the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF into the ongoing UN programmes and the formulation of the next ZUNDAF.

The purpose of the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF Evaluation is to assess the relevance of the ZUNDAF, as well as achievements and progress made against planned results. This exercise will assess progress made, challenges encountered and provide lessons learned as well as concrete recommendations in going forward. The analysis and the assessment and recommendations from the evaluation will provide guidance for the UNCT in the implementation of the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF for the remaining period and ensure that it responds to emerging and evolving National Development Priorities and make recommendations to achieve a greater development impact in Zimbabwe.

In addition, the results of the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF Evaluation will substantially inform the design of the next ZUNDAF to ensure that the UN continually enhances its support for the achievement of National Development Priorities articulated under the Zim Asset and to internationally agreed development objectives.

Assess the effectiveness of the ZUNDAF in terms of progress towards agreed ZUNDAF outcomes.To the extent possible, assess the impact of the ZUNDAF on the lives of intended beneficiaries, i.e. determine whether any major changes in the development landscape can reasonably be attributed to the ZUNDAF. Did the UNCT respond and adapt to major national changes effectively through the ZUNDAF; Assess the role and relevance of the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF: first, in relation to the identified issues within the 2010 Country Analysis and the underlying causes and challenges; second, as a reflection of internationally agreed goals, norms and standards guiding the work of UN agencies and adopted by Zimbabwe, with a focus on those relating to the normative programming principles;Assess the effectiveness of the ZUNDAF as a coordination and partnership framework. To the extent possible, assess the efficiency of the ZUNDAF as a mechanism to mobilise resources and minimize transaction costs for UN agencies, the GoZ and Donors. Appraise the extent of stakeholders’ participation in the ZUNDAF process;Analyse the sustainability of ZUNDAF supported results and strategies as a contribution to national development and in terms of the added value of ZUNDAF for cooperation among individual UN agencies, including risk and mitigation approaches; Determine to what extent cross-cutting issues (poverty, environmental sustainability, human rights, gender equality and empowerment of women, and HIV/AIDS) were systematically incorporated in the ZUNDAF reviews, UN agency assessments and evaluation processes in order to assess whether they were mainstreamed in all relevant outcomes;Assess the validity and relevance of the stated collective comparative advantage of the UN System. Determine the relevance of these comparative advantages in going forward and how these can best be capitalized on.;Identify best practices and lessons learned from ZUNDAF assessments and reports to inform the implementation of the ZUNDAF. This should include the design and implementation of programmes and projects and provide substantive recommendations for the successful completion of the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF cycle, taking a Human Rights Based Approach into consideration; Appraise the ZUNDAF M&E process, programming and decisions making, and propose methods to enhance the integration of ZUNDAF Programming Principles and their overall strategies within projects and programmes. How effective were UN agencies in using the ZUNDAF process for their programme delivery and internal M&E process;Based on the current development landscape, national development priorities, policies and strategies, as well as the major outcomes of the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF Evaluation, provide substantive and practical recommendations for the design of the next ZUNDAF. These recommendations should also be informed by the latest UN Development Group (UNDG) guidance and best practices observed in other UN programme countries.

Timeframe and main deliverables

The place of assignment is Harare. The consultant will have a temporary office in the UNRCO with frequent visits to UN agencies. The duration of the assignment will be six weeks, from 2 June to 11 July 2014. The Evaluation will be developed, presenting the findings of the assessment, in line with the scope as detailed in these terms of reference.

First week: Meetings and communication with the UNRCO, ZUNDAF Steering Committee and ZUNDAF Thematic Group technical leads, and collection of required documents, as well as an annotated outline of the Evaluation agreed to;Third week: Analysis of assessment and evaluation documents with interim reporting to the UNRCO/ZUNDAF Steering Committee;Fourth week: Feedback from ZUNDAF Steering Committee and Government et al on preliminary findings of the review of and analysis of assessment and evaluation reports;Fifth week: Completion of the report and presentation of review findings to the UNRCO/ZUNDAF Steering Committee/UNCT;Sixth week: Preparation and execution of a stakeholders validation workshop.

The 2012-2015 ZUNDAF Evaluation will be wide-ranging, participatory, and inclusive, entailing a combination of 2012-2015 ZUNDAF and UN agency specific reviews, analyses and interviews. While interviews are a key instrument, all analyses must be based on observed facts to ensure that the evaluation is sound and objective.

UN agencies, ZUNDAF Thematic Groups, and GoZ counterparts will provide the necessary information, data, support and guidance required to carry out planned activities and prepare the ZUNDAF Evaluation. The Evaluation will be reviewed firstly, by the ZUNDAF Steering Committee and the GoZ before it is presented for validation at an all stakeholders workshop.

The Evaluation is commissioned by the UNCT and overseen by the ZUNDAF Steering Committee and the Office of the President and the Cabinet (OPC) at the design, implementation, reporting and finalization stages. Day-to-day management of this exercise at technical level will be supported by the UNRCO.

The UNDG Guidelines for UNDAF Evaluations should be closely understood and adhered to. Based on the guiding documents and in consultation with the GoZ and the UNCT, the consultant will develop a tailored methodology for this specific exercise.

Data collection methods and process shall consider all Programming Principles identified in the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF (Capacity Development, Environmental Sustainability, Gender Equality, Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA)[1] and Result-Based Management (RBM), as well as other cross-cutting issues as appropriate.

2012 Zimbabwe Millennium Development Goals Report (MDGR);2012 and 2013 ZUNDAF Review Reports;2012-2015 Joint Implementation Matrix and UN Flagship programmes;Health and Education Transition Funds Evaluation Reports;Country Program Document (CPD) and Country Programme Action Plan of UN agencies;End-of-programme evaluation reports of all UN agencies that participated in the ZUNDAF Process;UN Evaluation Group Guidance Note on Application of Programming Principles to the UNDAF (2010);Any other relevant documents and guidelines provided by the UNRCO and UN agencies.Excellent knowledge of the UN system and UN joint country programming processes (CCA/UNDAF);Good knowledge and experience with the national development frameworks, especially Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), PRSP, SWAP, key legislation, etc.;Specialised technical knowledge, including in data collection and analytical skills, mainstreaming the HRBA to programming and gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations;Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork and adept at working with people of diverse cultural and social backgrounds; An understanding of and ability to abide by the core values of the United Nations.Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Development Studies, Social Studies, International Relations or other related field.At least 10 years of relevant experience and proven expertise with CCA/UNDAF processes, evaluations and reviews, including strong understanding of UN’s relevant Programming Guidelines on Gender Equality, HRBA, Capacity Development, Environmental Sustainability and RBM;Excellent report writing skills, analytical skills as well as good computer skills;Previous experience in UNDAF or related evaluation process and practical experience in the Southern African region and/or knowledge of the development issue in low-income countries is an asset;Experience in working with teams and team processes;Proven track record in evaluation and review writing.Proven excellent command in written and spoken English.

Other relevant information regarding the post

Reporting and Quality Control for the assignment:

The Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Head of UNRCO and overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator. The UNRCO will provide liaison support in identifying institutions and individuals that the consultant is expected to engage with in the course of the assessment. The UNRCO will also provide support at each stage of the assignment in terms of availing documents and facilitating meetings relevant to the assessment.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals

Letter explaining why the consultant is the most suitable for the work;Brief Description of Approach to Work/ Methodology;Financial proposal;Personal CV and P11 form which can be downloaded from this website: http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable deliverables (qualitative and quantitative). The financial proposal must include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).  

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

 Having received the highest combined score of the technical and financial scores.

Technical Criteria weight; 70% Financial Criteria weight; 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points out of 100 points at the technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

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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