National Consultant - Good Governance at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:

Job Title: National Consultant- Good Governance

Location: Abuja
Starting Date : 29-Nov-2017
Duration of Initial Contract: 24 Working days
Expected Duration of Assignment: 24 Working days

Background
The Third United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF III-2014-2017) is the common strategic framework for the operational activities of the United Nations System (UNS) in Nigeria. It provides a collective, coherent and integrated UNS response to the country’s priorities and needs, expressed in long term vision 20:2020, the Transformational Agenda and other development policies expected to transform Nigeria to one of the top 20 economies by 2020.

Nigeria’s development priorities are also expressed within the framework of the MDGs and other commitments, goals and targets of other international conventions and human rights instruments of the United Nations.  In line with UNDG and UNDAF M&E guidelines, it is mandatory for Country teams to conduct end of cycle evaluation for accountability and learning, and improving performance of subsequent UNDAFs. 

In 2016, the UNCT conducted a light mid-term assessment of the UNDAF III to inform the formulation of the new partnership framework. The UNCT has therefore, commenced the process of evaluating UNDAF III with the Federal and State Governments.

The end of cycle evaluation of the UNDAF III is a joint UN process, conducted with national partners, to assess the progress made towards Nigeria’s development priorities selected within the UNDAF. It will also take stock of the environment within which the UN is operating and assess the effectiveness of UNDAF III as a tool of support to the achievement of national priorities and enhanced coordination and harmonization among all UN agencies.

The UN and Nigerian Government will review the results achieved from activities supported by the UNDAF III and the appropriateness of its planned results and strategies. The evaluation provides a unique opportunity to assess achievements against the planned results; and the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of UNDAF III outcomes, interventions and strategies.

This assessment will identify issues and gaps, and proffer strategic and usable recommendations that the UNS and its partners will utilize to improve the strategies, implementation mechanisms, and the management efficiency of the new United Nations Sustainable Development and Partnership Framework (UNSDPF-2018-2022).

The United Nations System in Nigeria is therefore, seeking the services of qualified independent consultants to lead the conduct of this Evaluation. Firms and companies are also encouraged to apply for this opportunity with the view of recruiting experts for this assignment.

Scope of Work, Responsibilities and Description of the Proposed Analytical Work

• The broader aim of the evaluation, as stated above, is to generate a usable evaluation report that would aid the inherent culture of learning and accountability in the United Nations system programming processes in terms of progress made towards the attainment of the main outcomes and outputs of the UNDAF III.
• The evaluation would also provide relevant information and strategic recommendations that would support the UN system in Nigeria to enrich the UNSDPF implementation in a timely and most effective manner.
• The recommendations will aim to improve the strategies, implementation mechanism, and management efficiency of UNSDPF-2018-2022.
• The Evaluation exercise will cover the current cycle of the UNDAF III from 2014-2017 and will holistically review and systematically analyze recorded achievements and the accompanying strategies and how all these aided the UN in delivering on its mandate.
• Finally, the evaluation will identify lessons in implementing the UNDAF III, with a particular focus on the governance process and Coordination mechanisms including the PMT, UNCT, UNM&E group, RC office and DaO Lead Agencies and Groups.
• The recommendations, if any, will aim to improve the implementation mechanism, and management efficiency of UNSDPF-2018-2022.

In particular, the evaluation will:

• Assess the progress or lack thereof, towards the expected results as defined in the theory of change for UNDAF III cycle. Where appropriate, the evaluation will also highlight unexpected results (positive or negative) and missed opportunities;
• Provide an analysis of how the UN has positioned itself to add value in response to national needs and changes in the national development context;
• Present key findings, draw key lessons learned, and provide a set of clear and forward-looking options leading to strategic and actionable recommendations to support and adjust the UNSDPF implementation.
• Assess the contributions made by the UNCT in the result framework of the UNDAF and its contribution to national development results(accountability);
• Identify the factors that have affected positively or negatively the UNCT's contribution, and explaining the enabling factors and bottlenecks (learning)

Evaluation Methodology and Approach

• The Evaluation shall benefit from existing or newly commissioned studies, research or evaluations conducted by an individual or collaborating Agencies including the UN Agencies.
• Based on the documented innovations, lessons learnt and findings from the research, studies and evaluations, the Consultants will work with the UN and partners to conduct in-depth analysis of progress towards results, identify lessons learnt and propose corrective actions.
• The consultants will work with state governments and UNS to produce a report on lessons learnt related to some Delivering as One focus states (Benue, Anambra, Cross River, Oyo, Lagos, etc) and FCT to feed into the Evaluation report.

Data Collection:

• In terms of data collection, the evaluation will use a mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) approach that will include document reviews, SWOT Analysis, group and individual interviews and field visits as appropriate.
• Final methods to be selected must match the above stated objectives and specific questions. It is expected that the technical proposal will:
  • Identify methodology and sample (address sampling limitations)
  • Level of stakeholders’ participation amongst other issues

Information Sources:

• The following minimum documents will be used for obtaining detailed background information on the UNDAF III: The UNDAF Document; The results matrix; The monitoring and evaluation framework and plans; Joint Annual Work Plans for the DaO states and FCT;  Mid-term/End of Year reviews report, Relevant Reports.

Validation:

• The Evaluation Team will use a variety of methods to ensure that the data is valid, including triangulation.

Stakeholders’ Involvement

• The Evaluation will be managed by the UNDAF M&E group to ensure independence of the process.
• A reference group, as per the UNEG guidance, will be created to guide the evaluation exercise.
• An inclusive approach, involving a broad range of partners and stakeholders, will be taken for evaluation process.

The Evaluation Process and Work Plan
The process of the evaluation will be divided into three phases, each including several steps: