RC Office Evaluation Consultant

Title of Consultancy: RC Office Evaluation Consultant
Type of Contract: SSA – Special Service Agreement
Duration of the assignment:: 4 Weeks
Duty station: Nairobi
Expected places of travel: Somalia
Supervisor: Head of RC Office UN Somalia
Anticipated presence at UNDP premises: Intermittent
Date of Issue: 2nd November 2010
Closing Date: 7th November 2010

II. Organizational Context

DFID’s support to the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Hargeisa, Somaliland is directed towards improving coordination within the UN system and facilitating the interaction of the government with the international community in Somaliland.

The RCO for Somalia was created in December 2006 to support the UN Country Team’s strategic planning with a specific emphasis on developing a coherent UN-wide framework for recovery and development.

The RCO in Hargeisa opened in the summer of 2007 in order to decentralize coordination from Nairobi to the operational level and to engage national decision makers in the context of development in Somaliland. Nineteen UN Agencies have offices in Somaliland: UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, UNHCR, UNFPA, ICAO (observer), FAO, UNESCO, UNAIDS, OCHA, UNHABITAT, UNMAS, UNOPS, IOM, UNDSS, WORLD BANK, UNPOS and RCO. The ILO office was closed in 2010 and the UNMAS office opened in 2010.

The RDP adviser post was first created in June 2008. It is a national post covering south central Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland. The RDP adviser is expected to develop, promote and support the implementation of Somalia’s national priorities as articulated in the RDP.

In addition to the UN agencies, funds and programmes based permanently in Somaliland the UNCT for Somalia also includes the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNIFEM, UNODC and UNV as full members, and UNSOA and SMG as observers.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Scope of work
The consultant will be based in Hargeisa & Nairobi for the duration of this contract. Other travel may be arranged at the discretion of UN Somalia office.

a. Methods and outputs
The purpose of this mid-term review is to look at the relevance, effectiveness and value of the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Hargeisa, Somaliland and to determine the effectiveness of the RDP adviser project. The review will identify whether or not the RCO has achieved its intended results at this mid-point. It will recommend changes to the way the RCO operates in future.

The stated aims of the RCO in Hargeisa were:
1. To improve UN coordination in order to deliver more effective UN programmes
2. To make it simpler for government to interact with the international community
3. To oversee the implementation of the UN Transition plan and ensure the successful plan reflects local priorities.

b. Monitoring and Progress controls
The consultant will be monitored by the Head of Office, UN Somalia and the UN Resident Coordinator.

c. Final product/deliverable

Deliverables
- After 3 days, the consultant will develop a work plan detailing the approach and indicative list of stakeholders to interview and questions to be asked.
- After 1 week the consultant will develop an outline for the report.
- After 2 weeks the consultant will develop a first draft of the report on preliminary findings which should include recommendations on how to address the identified challenges. The UN RCO will have one week to provide comments and clarify any questions, and the consultant will have one week further to revise and finalize the report.
- After 3 weeks the consultant will submit the final report (maximum of 20 pages with a 2-page executive summary.)
- After 4 weeks a final version will be agreed upon.
Scope of the Mid Term review

The scope of the mid-term review is to:
1. Assess the achievements of the RCO in Hargeisa within the period of DFID funding and recommend adjustments or changes to ensure relevance, effectiveness and value added. (Ref: Improve coordination within the UN)
2. Assess the achievements of the RDP Adviser project, specifically reviewing the consultations on priority issues; the updating of the RDP volumes; efforts to support the balanced implementation of the RDP.
3. Provide strategic advice on how the UN RCO could better support governments, especially the new Somaliland government, in order to ensure government priorities are adequately incorporated in UN programming decisions. (Ref: Reduce burden on government and promote national development priorities)
4. Assess the role of the RCO in progress, efficiency and effectiveness of UN agencies, funds and programmes that are implementing the UN Transition Plan and recommend changes that can be incorporated into the RCO’s role in management and oversight of the new UN Somali Assistance Strategy in Somaliland, focusing especially on the links between the RDP and the UNSAS and the challenges of linking humanitarian to recovery and development at a local level (Ref: Increase programme impact & Decentralisation)
5. Propose changes to the UN’s ways of working to ensure that cross-cutting issues are adequately reflected in future UN programming, focusing on issues for which there is no dedicated UN lead agency in Somaliland. (Ref: Cross-cutting issues)
6. Propose financial requirements for the continuation/strengthening of the UN RCO Hargeisa, from April 2011 onwards when the DFID funding ends, indicating how much of that funding the UN will provide.
7. Assess costs, efficiency, resourcing and potential Value For Money improvements – including alternatives to RCO playing these roles

IV: Review/approval time

4 weeks within, when consultant submits invoices.

V. Competencies:

Core Values and Ethics
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and able to work in a multi-cultural environment
- Support the organizations corporate goals and values
- Comply with UN rules and regulations and code of conduct
- Demonstrates a high degree of integrity

Teamwork
- Builds effective client relationships and partnerships
- Interacts at all levels of staff/organization
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Building and sharing knowledge
- Provides guidance and support to others
- Makes valuable practice contributions to the unit and the office

Communication
- Excellent oral and written skills
- Listens actively and responds effectively

Task Management
- Plans, prioritizes and delivers a variety of tasks on time
- Exercises sound judgment/analysis
- Develops creative solutions and risk management solutions

Learning
- Promotes a learning environment in the office
- Provides constructive feedback and coaching for others

Leadership
- Able to plan and manage the overall work of the evaluation at a senior management level

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education: Post-graduate degree in international relations, political science, international development or a related subject.

Experience:
- Relevant Work Experience
- Minimum 10 years Ten years experience in evaluation in fragile states/conflict settings
- Previous experience working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment-previous experience working in Somalia highly desirable
- 10 years experience in M&E systems and joint programmes within the UN an advantage.
Technical Expertise
- Substantive knowledge of best practices and expertise in mainstreaming, including of gender, human rights and HIV/AIDS.
- Willingness to spend time working in Somaliland.
- Excellent drafting skills in English.
- Knowledge and experience of UN Reform
- Experience in One UN Pilot Countries an advantage

Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and spoken English is essential
- Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable

Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it together with Curriculum Vitae on the online application.

UNDP will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.

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