Functional Title: Evaluation & Monitoring Expert (Team Member)
Duty Station of Assignment: Kosovo and home-based
Type of Contract: Individual Contract (Consultancy Assignment)
Duration of Assignment: 30 w/days over the period 3 September 2020 – 15 July 2021
Closing date for applications: 6 July 2020

BACKGROUND
The Pristina-Belgrade dialogue has presented an unprecedented opportunity to effectively address the unmet needs of citizens in Kosovo’s Serb-majority northern municipalities, and to promote better relations between Kosovo’s main communities. Yet implementation of agreements intended to facilitate integration of the northern municipalities has been slow and incomplete: critical duty-bearers in the northern municipalities need technical assistance to develop and align local municipal planning and management with Kosovo frameworks; genuine local democratic responsiveness and accountability is essential to reduce the risk of increased tension between municipalities and citizens; support is needed to build mutual confidence and cooperation between municipalities and central government, and amongst municipalities, to ensure positive results for citizens.

Successful integration of the four northern municipalities, consistent with agreements emerging from the dialogue since 2011, will be a key determinant of future stability and inclusive development, as well as Kosovo’s European perspective. UN-Habitat, PAX and Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) developed the Inclusive Development Programme to respond to the urgent demand for technical assistance on municipal planning and management in northern Kosovo, for strengthening of the social contract between municipalities and citizens, and for enhanced trust and joint action within a framework of local-central dialogue and inter-municipal cooperation. Following conclusion of a one-year inception phase, the programme is implemented over the period of October 2017 – September 2021. The Programme is financed by the Swedish International Development Agency and jointly implemented by UN-Habitat, PAX and Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) in close partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Local Government Administration. It covers 7 municipalities in the northern Kosovo region: Leposavic/Leposaviq, Mitrovica South, Mitrovica North, Skenderaj/Srbica, Vushtrri/Vucitrn, Zubin Potok, and Zvecan/Zvecan.

Given the complexity of the programme and the multi-stakeholder partnership delivering it, a an evaluation and monitoring team will support the Programme Steering Committee by carrying out objective and independent oversight and monitoring functions, providing an external perspective on implementation progress and recommendations on the way forward to reach expected outcomes and assessing the performance of the Programme.

For general information on UN-Habitat in Kosovo and the Inclusive Development Programme, refer to the website: http://www.unhabitat-kosovo.org

OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF EVALUATION & MONITORING
A team of two consultants will be engaged to undertake the assignment, an evaluation expert for governance & capacity & trust building and a technical evaluation expert. The Team Leader will be the evaluation expert for governance & capacity & trust building. The Team Leader shall propose the methodology for conducting the independent review.

The key objectives are to:

• undertake objective independent oversight of programme activities; assess the Programme’s outputs and degree to which progress has been made towards achievement of the expected outcomes/impact; Validate the approach and methodology as described in the project document and in relation to achievement of intended outcomes, and verify that programme commitments to mainstreaming women’s empowerment and in relation to environmental impact and climate change mitigation are fulfilled; identify factors which help or hamper the achievement of those outcomes;
• propose priorities and recommendations for consolidating or expanding results, further deepening the final impact of the Programme and widening the range of capacity and trust building approaches and packages developed by the Programme so as to inform the Steering Committee of the Programme;
• examine the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, stakeholders ownership, internalization and sustainability as well as the outcomes/impact of the Programme’s methods and strategy and identify challenges as well as opportunities;
• identify the lessons learned of the Programme and propose recommendations and inputs for possible additional support.

The two-step evaluation’s findings and recommendations are expected to be used to inform the Steering Committee of the Programme for the best way forward to achieve the expected outcomes, and also in future planning and decision-making processes by the concerned national and local authorities, the Swedish Development Cooperation, UN-Habitat, PAX, CBM and other stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION OF INTENDED OUTCOMES OF THE PROGRAMME
The long-term goal of the Inclusive Development Programme is to foster inclusive development and good governance in northern Kosovo through support to integration in Kosovo’s planning framework, with strong local democratic oversight, local-central dialogue, and inter-municipal cooperation.

The programme will contribute to achievement of the headline goal through the realization of three intended outcomes, in relation to which the team will conduct oversight, monitoring and evaluation activities:

1. Increased integration of northern municipalities within Kosovo’s governance framework, achieved through development of institutional capacities to progressively improve performance of their responsibilities related to integrated spatial and urban planning and development, consistent with Kosovo’s planning system and principles of sound public administration
2. Enhanced quality of local governance, achieved through extensive public dialogue, feedback and accountability mechanisms, and civil society action to demand greater municipal responsiveness and performance
3. Strengthened public confidence in local institutions and the integration process, achieved through demonstration of practical infrastructure and service delivery improvements, and delivered by enhanced mechanisms for local-central and inter-municipal trust-building, dialogue, and coordination.

EVALUATION AND MONITORING PARAMETERS
The evaluation ultimately seeks to gauge the overall result of the efforts invested in the whole Programme, and particularly in the three objectives, and in the cross cutting / integrated activities in order to achieve the Expected Outcomes.

The following parameters are proposed to guide the evaluation and monitoring mission. Findings in the evaluation should be exemplified with evidence-based data emanating from specific contributions.

A. Relevance: Are the Programme’s adopted strategies valid? Does the Programme have a comparative advantage in the sector?
– Rationale of the programme and its objectives
– Changes in project context during implementation
– Institutional and partner priorities
B. Effectiveness: Are the activities contributing to the achievement of the expected outcomes?
– Actual or expected achievement of objectives at the time of the evaluation
– Factors and processes affecting the achievement of objectives
C. Efficiency: Are the activities implemented in a cost-efficient and timely manner?
– Programme Progress compared to plans, budget and overall performance
– Relevance and implementation efficiency of Catalytic Funds
D. Outcomes and impact: What real difference is the Programme making to the national and local partners? What is the extent to which the Programme is contributing to positive changes? How does it influence the work of the national and local institutions and CSOs?
– Outcomes/impact (positive/negative, foreseen/unforeseen) on the Kosovo Central Institutions, partner municipalities, CSOs and grassroots groups, and other stakeholders;
– Outcomes/impact (positive/negative, foreseen/unforeseen) on local collaborating partners, consultants and professionals involved in the implementation of the Programme
E. Institutional Arrangements: How appropriate are the partnerships and other institutional relationships in which the operations of the Programme are engaged in?
F. Sustainability, ownership, internalization: To what extent are the indications that the benefits of the Programme will continue after it comes to an end? To what extent and how the Local Ownership and the Internalization of the Programme is perceived?
– Factors affecting or likely to affect sustainability of the project
– Established networks among Institutions, Local Authorities, CSOs; established partnerships
– Experiences exchanged, amount of information shared
– Capacities
– Trust and confidence, conflict-sensitive mechanisms, dialogue
– Implementing capacity of the cooperation partners to take the activities forward
G. Responsiveness to Opportunity: How responsive is the Programme to opportunities and demands that arise from partners, other local / central institutions / bodies, CSOs?
H. Conclusions and recommendations
– Summary on Programme relevance, performance and success (actual or potential)
– Summary on major problems previously and currently faced by the Programme that are contributing to its setback
– Recommendations for the future.
I. Lessons learned:
– Operational Lessons: What are the major lessons learned from the Programme implementation with reference to capacity building, dialogue, trust building and the sustainability of its results?
– List of all lessons learned from the evaluation point of view that may be applied to other programme phases or other projects / programmes

EVALUATION AND MONITORING PROCESS
The evaluation will be carried out by a two-member team with relevant professional background and with well documented experience from evaluation and assessment of projects/programmes. The Team Leader shall propose a detailed approach and the methodology for conducting the evaluation.

The evaluation process shall include;

1. Desk review of relevant documents, including project document, work plans, progress reports, cooperation agreements, activity reports, training and capacity building reports and materials, publications, website, etc. These documents will be provided by UN-Habitat and PAX/ CBM;
2. Writing of a short inception report ( the proposed methodology, time plan, a list of specific questions, and other aspects relevant to the assignment);
3. Visit to UN-Habitat Kosovo Office to hold discussions with the Programme management and staff who are primarily involved in the different activities evaluated. A list of proposed names/titles of these officers will be provided by UN-Habitat and PAX/ CBM;
4. Interviews with relevant partner representatives. Field visits to conduct interviews with staff and decision-makers from central institutions, partner municipalities, CSOs and other relevant stakeholders. A list of proposed names/titles of these officers will be provided by UN-Habitat and PAX/ CBM;
5. Debriefing: presentation of initial findings to the Programme management in the end of the mission to Kosovo, and discussion on the way forward;
6. Writing of initial report with a focus on documentation and consolidation of findings, insights and perspectives including identification of critical factors, processes and decisions impacting achievement of intended outcomes, and immediate recommendations;
7. Presentation of initial consolidated findings to the Steering Committee;
8. Mission to Kosovo to assess the progresses during the intermediary period so as to check out the implementation of recommendations;
9. Writing of the draft evaluation report: the draft evaluation report will contain, amongst others, draft assessment of general performance of the Programme; draft assessment of the general effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the Project.
10. Presentation of the draft evaluation report to the Steering Committee;
11. Writing of the final evaluation report.

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
The consultancy work is foreseen for a total of 30working days plus travel days during the period September 2020 – July 2021. The consultancy will include work from home office (11 working days) and four missions to Kosovo (19 working days).

DELIVERABLES
The consultant will work closely with the team leader and will deliver the following outputs in accordance with the contractual requirements:

• Provision of substantive inputs to the Inception Report at the latest by 7 September
• Provision of substantive inputs to the initial findings Report by 30 October
• Support Presentation 1 to the Steering Committee
• Provision of substantive inputs to the Draft Evaluation Report at the latest by 14 May
• Support Presentation 2 to the Steering Committee
• Provision of substantive inputs to the Final Evaluation Report at the latest by 15 July

All reports shall be written in English, produced in an electronic version and a hard copy, and be presented in a concise format.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The team leader will be responsible for finalizing the independent review and for producing the required deliverables.

UN-Habitat Kosovo will be responsible for:

• Providing all required documentation and briefings to the Consultant
• Facilitating access to key reviewers/informants
• Providing logistical support
• Providing comments, in consultation with PAX/ CBM and the Steering Committee members, to the draft reports
• Sharing the results with partners, donors and stakeholders

The consultant will be responsible for:

• Providing inputs for conducting and delivering results of the evaluation as outlined above
• Demonstrating professional and ethical standards in conducting the task
• Performing the task in line with the allocated time-frame
• Supporting presentations at the Steering Committee meetings
• Informing the Programme management about progress of the assignment
• Delivering high quality final report of the evaluation

COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject areas. Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Communication: Excellent and effective written and oral skills. Ability to convince people through constructive argumentation and to present information in a concise and accurate manner. Negotiating skills and ability to enable good communication and understanding between different interest groups, organizations etc. Planning and Organizing: Proven ability to plan, coordinate and monitor own work and that of others. Ability to work under pressure and use time efficiently. Identifies priority activities and assignments, and adjust priorities as required. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by valuing ideas and expertise of others and is willing to learn from others.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education

• At least a Master Degree in Development Studies, Local Governance, Social Sciences, or other relevant discipline. The candidate should preferably be specialized in the field of capacity building and institutional change management.

Work experience and other requirements

• A minimum of ten years professional practical experience in related fields, incl. in transition countries.
• Very good knowledge of international experience and best practices regarding institutional change management and human resource development, and/or spatial planning, environmental management, sustainable development, and local governance, incl. civil society oversight and monitoring (esp. in relation to local governance), capacity development, and coordination

• Relevant knowledge of human resource development and well documented experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects/development programmes.
• Good ability to evaluate development assistance projects/programmes in the municipal, urban development and CSOs sector with the focus on capacity building.
• Understanding of and experience with demand-driven processes and methodologies of capacity building required.
• Good understanding of spatial planning, sustainable development and the associated responsibilities at municipal and national level.
• Good analytical, solution defining and creative skills.
• Deep understanding of Kosovo political and social context and conditions and/or South-East European experience is an advantage.

Language

• Excellent proficiency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Special considerations

• Familiarity with and loyalty to the goals of UN-Habitat and the UN
• Enthusiasm and willingness to share experiences and transfer knowledge
• Sensitivity to gender issues and issues of concern to vulnerable groups
• Flexibility and preparedness to pursue goals through teamwork
• Availability for the suggested project schedule

 The consultant should not have been substantially involved in operations of the Programme in the past.

PAYMENT INSTALLMENTS
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. The fees will be paid in installments upon completion and acceptance of the outputs as specified in section – Deliverables- above.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must submit an email quoting the post title and the duty station to the email address:    recruitment@unhabitat-kosovo.org

with the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable for the work.
2. Completion of a CV in P11 Form which can be downloaded at: http://unhabitat-kosovo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/p11_form.doc. The CV shall include information on the past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.
3. Technical Proposal specifying how the project would be approached and providing a brief methodology on how they would approach and conduct the work.
4. Financial Proposal. The offeror’s letter including form for the financial proposal can be downloaded at: http://unhabitat-kosovo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Financial_proposal_IC.docx  

Deadline for applications: 6^th July 2020

UN-Habitat does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or  companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org 

Lump sum contracts: The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).Travel: All envisaged travel costs (to be covered by the Project) must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general only travel costs will be accepted that do not exceed those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. Evaluation: Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology: Cumulative Analysis: When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made available to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as responsive/compliant/acceptable and having received the highest score out of a set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Technical criteria weight: (70%); Financial criteria weight: (30%)