Vacancy: International consultant to undertake the End of Project Evaluation and Formulation of Entry-Points in the Field of Statistics and Evidence-Based Policymaking, UNDP Moldova

International consultant to undertake the End of Project Evaluation and Formulation of Entry-Points in the Field of Statistics and Evidence-Based Policymaking

Vacancy Number: Pr12/00214

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	12 Oct 2012, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	21 Oct 2012, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	15 Oct 2012
Reference to the project:	Strengthening the National Statistical System
Expected Duration of Assignment:	October-November 2012, 2 months
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted online by pressing the "Apply Now" button or by email to vacancies-moldova@undp.org, no later than 21 October 2012.
Supporting Documents: Terms of Reference Individual Consultant Procurement Notice Personal History Form (P11) UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Contacts:

Mr. Roman Rosca.

roman.rosca@undp.org

Background

The Joint Project “Strengthening the National Statistical System in Moldova” (hereinafter Statistics Project) was designed on the basis of the needs identified by the National Bureau of Statistics, through which this institution can perform its basic role of coordination of all statistical system ensuring standards to statistical production, and provide relevant, accurate, timely, comparable, coherent and complete statistical data.

The Project is aimed at strengthening the national statistical system through improvement of data collection, dissemination and utilization of statistical information, with particular focus on national needs and overall conformity of official statistics with international standards. The project includes three components with specific focus on strengthening national capacities in accurate production of qualitative statistical data, their timely dissemination and proper use.

As part of the UNDP Good Governance Programme and Poverty Reduction Portfolio, the Statistics Project card available on http://www.undp.md/projects/Statistics.shtml.

Scope of work

The purpose of evaluation is to provide holistic, impartial and trustworthy evaluation of the performance, results and achievements of Statistics Project in relation to its objectives. In addition the evaluation is aimed to generate inputs for future programming related to evidence-based policy M&E and strengthening the necessary statistical capacities.

Thus, the overall scope of work under this assignment will be focused on the following issues:

End of Project Evaluation - underlying factors that impact on outputs and outcomes, capture good and bad practices as well as lessons learned, including unintended consequences, with the objective of assisting UN agencies in improving design and implementation of future UN-supported interventions in this area;
Future programming in the field of statistics and improvement of evidence-based policy planning, monitoring and evaluation: advice and provide technical support towards development of a concept note for the expansion of interventions beyond 2012, which UN Moldova can offer as support to the Government in view of strengthening national capacity to build result-based monitoring and evaluation systems, and to collect, analyze and use data, as essential components of the governance structure and provide critical information, empowering policymakers to take better informed decisions.

The Evaluation is expected to shed light on the underlying factors that impact on outputs and outcomes, capture good practices as well as lessons learned, including unintended consequences, with the objective of assisting the Government of Moldova and UN agencies in improving design and implementation of future UN-supported interventions in this area. Accordingly, the UN agencies, the Government of Moldova, key partners and stakeholders in the country intend to use evaluation findings and recommendations as a learning opportunity to improve further cooperation in this domain.

To achieve the above scope, the team will be composed of a senior team leader (international consultant), assisted by the national consultant.

For detailed information on specific tasks of the International Consultant, objectives, modality of work, activities and expected outputs, evaluation standards to be followed, please refer to the Annex – Terms of Reference

Requirements for experience

1. Academic Qualifications:

Advanced university degree in economics, statistics, social sciences, public administration, international development or related fields;
Other formal education relevant for the assignment;

2. Years of experience:

At least 5 years of working experience in the review, evaluation and assessment of the development projects and/or programmes, with budget over USD 0.5 million;
At least 7 years of work experience in the field of democratic governance, public administration, development, including participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation;
Proved practical experience of work related to the use of statistical data, evidences and informative materials, but also related to data collection and/or production;
Experience of collaboration with Government institutions (in particular National Statistical Offices) in areas relevant for the present assignment;
Previous work experience in related areas with UN partner agencies or other development organizations preferably in the region;

3. Competencies:

Sound knowledge about results-based management (especially results-oriented monitoring and evaluation) confirmed by evidences (certificate/s);
Familiarity with the political, economic and social situation in the Republic of Moldova – would be an asset;
Ability to analyse, plan, communicate effectively orally and in writing, produce well written analytical reports, solve problems, organize and meet expected results, manage diversity of views, adapt to different environments (cultural, economic, political and social);
Fluency in English; knowledge of Romanian or Russian - would be an advantage.

4. Personal Qualities and other requirements:

Good interpersonal skills, solid judgment/ decision making, having demonstrated initiative; creative and team player; self-starter and results-oriented;
Integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Availability to work with UNDP and Project’s national stakeholder during the indicated/approved period;
Cultural and gender sensitivity.

Documents to be included

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Technical Proposal:

brief explanation of how the Evaluator meets the specified criteria should be included explaining how applicant responds to each of the qualification requirements and why he/she is the most suitable for the work;
highlighting approach to the evaluation and brief description of the methodology to be applied.

Personal information (as a detailed CV or as a Personal History Form /P11) including records on past experience in similar projects/assignments and concrete outputs obtained;
Financial proposal (in USD, specifying a total lump sum amount and the number of anticipated working days).

Financial proposal

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 (is the total sum of all financial claims of the candidate for accomplishment of the task with detailed breakdown of expected honorarium, economy class travel and per diem for in-country stay related to up to 7-days mission to Moldova/Chisinau) and the number of anticipated working days. The evaluator shall bare costs for all supplies needed for data collection and data processing including possession of his own personal computer.

Disclaimer

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