CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT****Issued on: 24 July 2015
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:UN-HABITAT
DUTY STATION:NAIROBI
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:Consultants (2)
DURATION:2 months over 3 months (August-October 2015)
CLOSING DATE:31 July 2015
BACKGROUND
The United Nation Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. Since its establishment in 1976, the evolution of UN-Habitat reflects the growing importance of urbanization as a priority to the United Nations and its Member states, translating into evolving mandates and strategic approaches, UN-Habitat’s focus and organizational set-up.
An in-depth evaluation in 2005 of UN-Habitat by the Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) proved pivotal in advancing the agenda of UN-Habitat. The OIOS evaluation called for a reform of UN-Habitat, with the specific goal of sharpening its programmatic focus and broadening its funding base in order to have a greater impact. This led to the formulation of the six year Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP), 2008-2013, with the overarching goal “to ensure an effective contribution to sustainable urbanization”. The intent of the MTSIP was to: (i) sharpen the focus of the work of UN-Habitat in accordance with the United Nations system-wide reform initiatives; and enhancing coherence and results based management.
The 2012-2013 biennium was a bridging biennium for UN-Habitat. On one hand, UN-Habitat was concluding the MTSIP 2008-2013, and on the other, the agency was developing the second-generation strategic plan for 2014-2019, which drew on the lessons from the MTSIP. The Strategic Plan 2014-2019 (SP) has seven priority areas. While the Strategic Plan reflects some continuity from the MTSIP in terms of focus areas and implementation approaches, it also responds to emerging urban trends, challenges and opportunities.
The Government of Sweden, represented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has been a major donor to UN-Habitat since the 1970’s. Since 2009, Swedish contributions have supported a range of country specific projects, humanitarian projects, strategic plans and initiatives through two programme cooperation agreements.
This evaluation of the Cooperation Agreement, 2012-2015, is stipulated in Article 10 the Cooperation Agreement. Through the Cooperation Agreement, Sida supported the implementation of selected Focus Areas and cross cutting issues in the MTSIP for the period 2012-2013 and the Strategic Plan (SP) for the period 2014-2015. The evaluation will provide Sida and UN-Habitat with an independent and forward-looking assessment of the programming and implementation experience of what worked and what did not work. It will assess whether intentions and objectives of the cooperation agreement for 2012-2015 were achieved and examine implementation to understand how and why certain results were achieved or not achieved. Lessons drawn from the evaluation findings are expected to inform UN-Habitat management and Sida in shaping the new cooperation agreement for 2016-2019 and feeding back lessons into the design of new project and programmes in UN-Habitat.
It is expected, that during the inception phase of this evaluation, the consultants will gather details of the programmes and projects funded under different focus areas – their intervention logic, indicators of achievements and assumptions.
The evaluation will be conducted over a period of three months, from August to October 2015.
The evaluation shall be carried out by two consultants. The evaluation shall be independent and carried out in line with the evaluation norms and standards of the United Nations system. A variety of methodologies will be applied to collect information during the evaluation. These include review of documents relevant to the Cooperation Agreement, the MTSIP and SP related documents, and other related project documents, key informant interviews and consultations with stakeholders, surveys and field visits.
The United Nation Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. Since its establishment in 1976, the evolution of UN-Habitat reflects the growing importance of urbanization as a priority to the United Nations and its Member states, translating into evolving mandates and strategic approaches, UN-Habitat’s focus and organizational set-up.
An in-depth evaluation in 2005 of UN-Habitat by the Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) proved pivotal in advancing the agenda of UN-Habitat. The OIOS evaluation called for a reform of UN-Habitat, with the specific goal of sharpening its programmatic focus and broadening its funding base in order to have a greater impact. This led to the formulation of the six year Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP), 2008-2013, with the overarching goal “to ensure an effective contribution to sustainable urbanization”. The intent of the MTSIP was to: (i) sharpen the focus of the work of UN-Habitat in accordance with the United Nations system-wide reform initiatives; and enhancing coherence and results based management.
The 2012-2013 biennium was a bridging biennium for UN-Habitat. On one hand, UN-Habitat was concluding the MTSIP 2008-2013, and on the other, the agency was developing the second-generation strategic plan for 2014-2019, which drew on the lessons from the MTSIP. The Strategic Plan 2014-2019 (SP) has seven priority areas. While the Strategic Plan reflects some continuity from the MTSIP in terms of focus areas and implementation approaches, it also responds to emerging urban trends, challenges and opportunities.
The Government of Sweden, represented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has been a major donor to UN-Habitat since the 1970’s. Since 2009, Swedish contributions have supported a range of country specific projects, humanitarian projects, strategic plans and initiatives through two programme cooperation agreements.
This evaluation of the Cooperation Agreement, 2012-2015, is stipulated in Article 10 the Cooperation Agreement. Through the Cooperation Agreement, Sida supported the implementation of selected Focus Areas and cross cutting issues in the MTSIP for the period 2012-2013 and the Strategic Plan (SP) for the period 2014-2015. The evaluation will provide Sida and UN-Habitat with an independent and forward-looking assessment of the programming and implementation experience of what worked and what did not work. It will assess whether intentions and objectives of the cooperation agreement for 2012-2015 were achieved and examine implementation to understand how and why certain results were achieved or not achieved. Lessons drawn from the evaluation findings are expected to inform UN-Habitat management and Sida in shaping the new cooperation agreement for 2016-2019 and feeding back lessons into the design of new project and programmes in UN-Habitat.
It is expected, that during the inception phase of this evaluation, the consultants will gather details of the programmes and projects funded under different focus areas – their intervention logic, indicators of achievements and assumptions.
The evaluation will be conducted over a period of three months, from August to October 2015.
The evaluation shall be carried out by two consultants. The evaluation shall be independent and carried out in line with the evaluation norms and standards of the United Nations system. A variety of methodologies will be applied to collect information during the evaluation. These include review of documents relevant to the Cooperation Agreement, the MTSIP and SP related documents, and other related project documents, key informant interviews and consultations with stakeholders, surveys and field visits.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The evaluation team of two International Consultants has overall responsibility for producing the deliverables according to the quality standards of UN-Habitat for evaluation reports.
Among the deliverables expected, there will be:
The evaluation team of two International Consultants has overall responsibility for producing the deliverables according to the quality standards of UN-Habitat for evaluation reports.
Among the deliverables expected, there will be:
- Inception Report with Evaluation Work plan;
- Evaluation Reports Drafts;
- Final Evaluation Report not exceeding 40 pages not including executive
summary and annexes.
Compliance with United Nations Evaluation Group standards and UN-Habitat evaluation report format is expected. Examples of evaluation reports are available from the website of the UN-Habitat Evaluation Unit: (http://www.unhabitat.org/evaluation).
Full details of the evaluation are provided in the attached Terms of Reference.
Compliance with United Nations Evaluation Group standards and UN-Habitat evaluation report format is expected. Examples of evaluation reports are available from the website of the UN-Habitat Evaluation Unit: (http://www.unhabitat.org/evaluation).
Full details of the evaluation are provided in the attached Terms of Reference.
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. 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 present information in a concise and accurate manner, proven ability for preparing comprehensive documents and reports.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by valuing others ideas and expertise and is willing to learn from others.
Planning & Organizing: Proven ability to plan, coordinate and monitor own work and that of others. Ability to work under pressure and uses time efficiently. Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjust priorities as required.
Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. 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 present information in a concise and accurate manner, proven ability for preparing comprehensive documents and reports.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by valuing others ideas and expertise and is willing to learn from others.
Planning & Organizing: Proven ability to plan, coordinate and monitor own work and that of others. Ability to work under pressure and uses time efficiently. Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjust priorities as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced academic degree in development studies, political sciences, social economy, institutional theory, communication or similar relevant field.
Advanced academic degree in development studies, political sciences, social economy, institutional theory, communication or similar relevant field.
Work Experience
At least 10 years of relevant experience working in development aid. Proven extensive evaluation experience and experience working with projects/ programmes in the United Nations system are required. The consultant should be familiar with the United Nations System and preferably specific knowledge and understanding of UN-Habitat and its mandate. A mix of experience and familiarity with aid effectiveness and results-based management issues is an asset.
At least 10 years of relevant experience working in development aid. Proven extensive evaluation experience and experience working with projects/ programmes in the United Nations system are required. The consultant should be familiar with the United Nations System and preferably specific knowledge and understanding of UN-Habitat and its mandate. A mix of experience and familiarity with aid effectiveness and results-based management issues is an asset.
Language
Fluency as well as excellent writing skills in English is required.
Fluency as well as excellent writing skills in English is required.
REMUNERATION
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• CV in the PHP format, accessible through the INSPIRA website (inspira.un.org) Please note, if using INSPIRA for the first time, you need to register in order to activate your account, which will allow you to log in and create a personal History Profile.
• The PHP should be attached to the application as a PDF file.
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• CV in the PHP format, accessible through the INSPIRA website (inspira.un.org) Please note, if using INSPIRA for the first time, you need to register in order to activate your account, which will allow you to log in and create a personal History Profile.
• The PHP should be attached to the application as a PDF file.
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
- Educational Background (incl. dates)
- Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
- Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
- Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
- Expectations regarding remuneration
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
Please also be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the
UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
All applications should be submitted to:
Ms. Brenda Gacheru
UN-HABITAT Office of the Executive Director
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: brenda.gacheru@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 31 July 2015
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
Ms. Brenda Gacheru
UN-HABITAT Office of the Executive Director
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: brenda.gacheru@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 31 July 2015
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
