New Job Opportunities at UNDP Tanzania, 2021
Project Evaluation and Insights Consultant
Advertised on behalf of : UNCDF
Location : home base and, TANZANIA
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : National Consultant
Languages Required : English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is
expected to start) 01-Feb-2021
Duration of Initial Contract : 50 days over 1 year
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.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and
abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination.
All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and
background checks.
Background
About UNCDF
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)
makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least
developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers
“last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially
at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic
development.
Access to Finance in Tanzania
In line with the UNCDF global strategy of Leaving
No-One Behind in the Digital Era and countries’ UN Development Assistance Plan,
UNCDF is supporting inclusive economies to help smallholder farmers and other
vulnerable populations thrive. This includes contributing to refugee response
initiatives and considering the consequences of the COVID-19 health pandemic in
terms of food security, food systems, livelihoods, financial inclusion and last
but not least, social cohesion. This programme uses a market development
approach that is rooted on five decades of fostering financial inclusion and
local development, digital economies and partnerships for the SDGs, digital and
financial literacy, as well as reaching the most underserved populations by
promoting community-based frugal innovation as well as strengthening savings
and production groups.
KIGOMA JOINT PROGRAMME
The Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP) involves 16
different UN Agencies and is being implemented in cooperation with the regional
and district authorities based on the development needs of the region and the
capacities of the UN in Tanzania. By expanding and increasing the support to
host communities the programme contributes to enhancement of co-existence
between the refugee/migrant population and the host population. Through
supporting stability and prosperity in Kigoma the programme contributes to the
stability of the Great Lakes region.
The 16 participating UN agencies are cooperating
across seven themes which are Sustainable energy and environment; Youth and
women’s economic empowerment; Ending violence against women and children;
Education with a focus on adolescent girls and young women; WASH (Water,
Sanitation and Hygiene); Agriculture with a focus on developing local markets;
and an Integrated Programme on Health, HIV and Nutrition.
UNCDF contributes to two themes, namely Youth and
women’s economic empowerment and Agriculture, in partnerships with the Kigoma
Youth Agricultural Development Organization, Danish Refugee Council, Norwegian
Church Aid and Digital Mobile Africa to facilitate access to finance; as well
as Arifu, Fundacion Kapital and Khangarue Media for edutainment material on
digital and financial education.
Duties and Responsibilities
The objective of the assignment is to conduct an
evaluation(s) of selected KJP projects in terms of their successes, challenges,
lessons learned, and way forward. The evaluation should consider the degree to
which UNCDF KJP projects met their impact objectives and contributed to
empowering beneficiaries and enabling access to finance as well as skill
development. Other considerations will be determined in consultation with the
UNCDF Country Lead for Rwanda and Tanzania. The consultant will produce at
least two publications and create communications materials (e.g. blog posts,
conference presentations) as necessary.
The consultant should have demonstrated expertise in
the design and implementation of research projects focused on access to
finance, gender, and/or youth in Tanzania, as well as relevant experience
working on financial inclusion interventions and/or in the financial services
industry. (S)He is expected to work under the supervision and guidance of the
UNCDF Country Lead for Rwanda & Tanzania or her assignee, and in close
collaboration with in-country partners.
More specific objectives follow:
Conduct a comprehensive desk review of relevant
project-related documents and draft and submit an inception report. The
inception report will be a research plan that includes the overall approach and
methodology; key lines of inquiry and any interview protocols; data collection
tools and mechanisms; proposed list of interviewees; and a proposed work plan
and timelines.
Gain good understanding of UNCDF approaches, tools
(access to finance and digital-financial education), partners (implementing, UN
and government) and target beneficiaries to evaluate comparative efficiency and
effectiveness.
The consultant may employ any relevant and
appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods (s)he deems appropriate to
conduct the project final evaluation. Methods could include: desk review of
documents; interviews with stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries; (virtual)
field visits; data analysis, etc. However, a combination of primary and
secondary, as well as qualitative and quantitative data should be used. The
consultant is expected to revise the methodological approach in consultation
with key stakeholders as necessary and should present both quantitative data
and qualitative findings and data.
Prepare a draft evaluation report to be submitted to
the Country Lead for Rwanda and Tanzania. Key elements of the report will be
determined in the inception phase and agreed with the Country Lead for Rwanda
and Tanzania but may include:
Evaluation criteria: e.g. relevance, efficiency,
effectiveness, impact, gender;
The main programming factors of success and
challenges;
The main implementation factors of success and
challenges;
The main gaps and challenges and ways to address
them;
The key actors to whom the recommendation is
targeted.
Produce a final report based on comments from the
Country Lead for Rwanda and Tanzania and any other relevant reviewers.
Draft documents, communications and
knowledge-sharing materials as necessary (at least two publications).
Some of the activities outlined above require
alignment with partners or may lead to conceptualization of new activities.
Such activities in these areas will be agreed upon in writing between the
consultant and UNCDF as they arise.
SCOPE OF WORK
At the end of the contract period, the consultant
will be expected to attain the following results
An inception report and research protocol and plan
At least one progress report and participation in
team calls biweekly
Draft final evaluation(s)
Final evaluation(s) including two publications and a
to-be-determined number of knowledge-sharing products that will contribute to
UNCDF visibility in the wider stakeholder community.
Consultant presence required on Duty Station/UNDP
Premises
Duty station: The consultant will be home-based with
intermittent office presence in Tanzania UNCDF office, frequent travel to
project sites in Tanzania and possible travels to other sites regionally, where
UNCDF operates. The schedule of project-related travel will be negotiated with
the consultant(s) according to the requirements of each programme.
Travel to project locations as agreed with the
Country Lead or her assignee.
Provision of Quality, Monitoring and Progress
Controls
The following supporting documents will serve as
conditions for disbursement: (i) monthly submission of an invoice and
Certificate of Payment (COP) duly approved by the Country Lead; (ii) review,
approval and written acceptance of each deliverable project by the Country Lead
and/or her designate; and (iii) an authorization of payment disbursement from a
direct supervisor.
The consultant(s) will work under the direct
supervision of the Country Lead for Tanzania and Rwanda and in close
collaboration with other relevant colleagues, experts and/or institutions
designated by the country Teams. The Country Lead or her assignee will provide
overall supervision of the consultancy and approve key deliverables.
The consultant is responsible for providing his/her
own laptop.
UNCDF shall closely monitor the performance of the
consultant, and such monitoring shall include the detailed tracking of
cumulative payments ensuring that they do not exceed the approved limit in the
contract. If the consultant fails to meet performance requirements detailed
above, (s)he will receive in first instance, a communication requesting an
improvement in performance. Continued failure to meet performance requirements
may result in termination and non-utilization of the contract.
Standard Travel Costs and Daily Supplemental
Allowance (DSA):
If the travel is to perform work or deliver outputs
that are OUTSIDE the work/deliverables agreed in the contract, the unit
supervising the consultant will fully justify in a note to file why the
consultant is being asked to undertake such travel. The said justification
should be provided along with the supporting documents uploaded in the T&E
module and in line with UNDP/UNCDF Travel Policy rules. The contractor will conduct
briefings to the UNCDF team prior to and following field visits to projects via
meetings and back to office reports (BTORs) and all supporting documentation
for F10 within two weeks.
In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of
travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed
upon in writing between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant
prior to travel and will be reimbursed according to UNDP/UNCDF Travel Policy.
Qualifications and Level of Consultants
QUALIFICATIONS AND LEVEL OF CONSULTANTS
The consultant must provide evidence of the
technical capacity to undertake this assignment. This includes capacity to
deliver the results in the timeframe provided as well as indication of prior
experience (relevant research and financial inclusion/capabilities and
experience, training, program development and evaluation).
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Demonstrates ethics and integrity;
Team player;
Demonstrates political acumen and calculated risk
taking;
Builds own and staff competence, creating an
environment of creativity and innovation;
Builds and promotes effective teams and
partnerships;
Creates and promotes open communication;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even
under pressure;
Conducts fair and transparent decision making;
Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and
adaptability;
Shows strong corporate commitment.
Functional Competencies:
Proven ability to manage and effectively lead a
global research agenda and research team;
Articulate ideas clearly and coherently and ability
to translate technical terms for non-technical audiences. i.e. policy makers
Quick learner with the ability to act quickly to
develop new research and initiatives;
Conceptualizes more effective approaches to research
and knowledge, development and implementation;
Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services
and identifies solutions or alternatives;
Makes effective use of UNCDF resources and
comparative advantage to strengthen knowledge partnerships;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and
innovative thinking;
Creates networks and promotes knowledge exchange
initiatives between member organizations;
Promotes knowledge and research as critical to the
success of moving towards digital remittance channels and migrant-centric
product development;
Proactively identifies, develops and discusses
solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to
undertake new projects or services.
Technical:
Understanding of key issues and international good
practice relating to savings groups, smallholder farmers, gender, youth,
refugees, digital services and digital financial inclusion;
Excellent presentation and representation skills in
multicultural contexts;
Ability to translate complex technical ideas to a
non-technical audience in both verbally and in writing.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree in economics, finance,
public/business administration, social sciences, international relations or
related fields is mandatory.
Experience:
Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in
designing and implementing research on financial inclusion/women’s and youth
empowerment is mandatory;
Professional experience in international
development, financial inclusion, or the banking/financial services industry is
highly desired;
Demonstrated relevant field experience in Tanzania
and/or East Africa is highly desired;
Experience in donor projects, developing proposals,
corresponding budgets, and monitoring and evaluation plans is preferred;
Familiarity with the development, modification and
roll out of financial services for low-income communities is preferred;
Familiarity working in refugee settlement camps is a
plus.
Language:
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills
in English is mandatory.
Proposal and Evaluation
Application:
Interested individuals must submit the documents
mentioned below as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications
(Note: the system does not allow multiple uploads of documents. Applicants must
make sure to upload all documents in one PDF file).
The following documents are requested:
Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest
and Availability;
Personal CV indicating all past experience from
similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number)
of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
Brief description of why the individual considers
him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if
applicable, on how they will approach the assignment.
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive
Daily Fee price. If an Offeror is employed by an
organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge
a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNCDF under
Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and
ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal
submitted to UNCDF.
Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on
the following methodology:
Preliminary Evaluation - Step I: Screening
Technical Evaluation Weight - 70% x (Step II: 60%+
Step III: 40%= 100%);
Financial Evaluation Weight - 30% = Step IV.
Step I: Screening
Applications will be screened and only applicants
meeting the mandatory criteria (listed under education and experience) will
progress to the pool for shortlisting:
Master’s degree in economics, finance,
public/business administration, social sciences, international relations or
related fields;
Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in
designing and implementing research on financial inclusion/women’s and youth
empowerment;
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills
in English is mandatory.
Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review – 60% out of
technical evaluation
UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a
shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate the candidates. Only
candidates that obtained 80% of the points at this stage shall be invited for
the next step.
Shortlisting scoring:
Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in
designing and implementing research on financial inclusion/women’s and youth
empowerment: 30 points
Demonstrated relevant field experience in Tanzania
and/or East Africa: 20 points
Professional experience in international
development, financial inclusion, or the banking/financial services industry:
20 points
Experience in donor projects, developing proposals,
corresponding budgets, and monitoring and evaluation plans is preferred: 10
points
Familiarity with the development, modification and
roll out of financial services for low-income communities is preferred: 10
points
Familiarity working in refugee settlement camps is a
plus: 10 points
Step III: Written Test – 40% out of technical
assessment
Candidates who obtained 80% of the points at the
desk review will be invited to take a written test and submit samples of
relevant work (evaluations, research protocol and plan), including but not
restricting to writing samples and publications (e.g. blogs, reports).
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the
total of Steps II (Desk Review) + III (Written Test) will be considered as
technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.
Step IV: Financial Evaluation
The following formula will be used to evaluate
financial proposal:
Lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being
evaluated x 30.
Both individual consultants and individual employed
by a company or institution are welcome to apply.
Any individual employed by a company or institution
who would like to submit an offer in response to a Procurement Notice for IC
must do so in their individual capacity (providing a CV so that their
qualifications may be judged accordingly). Women candidates or women-owned
businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline : 22-Jan-21 (Midnight New York,
USA)