Consultant for Independent Evaluation of the project “Preparing for HCFC phase out in Countries with Economies in Transition”

In accordance with UNDP/GEF M&E policies and procedures, all projects supported by the GEF should undergo a final evaluation upon completion of implementation. The Final Evaluation is intended to assess the relevance, performance and success of the project. It looks at signs of potential impact and sustainability of results, including the contribution to capacity development and the achievement of global and national environmental goals. The Final Evaluation also identifies/documents lessons learned and makes recommendations that project partners and stakeholders might use to improve the design and implementation of other related projects and programs. The evaluation is to be undertaken in accordance with the “GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policy”(see http://thegef.org/MonitoringandEvaluation/MEPoliciesProcedures/mepoliciesprocedures.html). This Final Evaluation is initiated by UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre as the GEF Implementing Agency for this project and it aims to provide managers (at the level of national ministries and UNDP/GEF) with a comprehensive overall assessment of the project and with a strategy for replicating the results. It also provides the basis for learning and accountability for managers and stakeholders. The project’s primary goal (UNDP related activities) was s to develop country strategies for HCFC phase out based on in-depth surveys of HCFC consumption and where applicable production, in eligible Article 2 countries with economies in transition (CEITs) in Europe and Central Asia (specifically Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine), and to identify needs for further activities to assist these countries to remain in or attain compliance with their Montreal Protocol obligations, particularly noting the accelerated HCFC phase out requirements adopted by MOP 19. The project was implemented during 2008-2011 with the budget of 255.000 USD. Terms of Referenc: full ToR and Annexes could be found at: http://dl.undp.sk/ToR_ConsultantForIndependentEvaluation .

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of the Evaluation is to examine the achievement of project objective, the affecting factors, the broader project impact and the contribution to the general goal/strategy, and the project partnership strategy. The Evaluation will include the assessment of the achievements of the project, measured against planned outputs set forth in the Project Document in accordance with rational budget allocation, and the assessment of features related the process involved in achieving those outputs, as well as the impacts the project. The evaluation will also address the underlying causes and issues contribution to targets not adequately achieved. For future development support in the region, UNDP is especially interested in the assessment of the support model applied in the project, its implications for the long-term impact and sustainability of the project results. The Evaluation Report will present recommendations and lessons of broader applicability for follow-up and future support of UNDP and/or the Government, highlighting the best and worst practices in addressing issues relating to the evaluation scope. The scope of the Evaluation will cover all activities undertaken in the framework of the project. The evaluators will compare planned outputs of the project to actual outputs and assess the actual results to determine their contribution to the attainment of the project objectives. It will evaluate the efficiency of project management, including the delivery of outputs and activities in terms of quality, quantity, timeliness and cost efficiency. The evaluation will assess the aspects as listed in evaluation report outline attached in Annex 1. Products expected from the evaluation The key product expected from this final evaluation is a comprehensive analytical report in English that should, at least, follow minimum GEF requirements as indicated in Annex 1. The Final Evaluation Report will be stand-alone document that substantiates its recommendations and conclusions. The report will have to provide to UNDP complete and convincing evidence to support its findings/ratings. The Final Evaluation Report will formulate lessons learned and recommendation for replication and transfer of the experience related mainly to: post-project sustainability of the efforts both in terms of governance and in terms of environmental benefits; capacity building ; successes and challenges. The report together with the annexes, shall be presented in electronic form in MS Word format. Responsibility for Expenses and their Reimbursement: The Consultant will be responsible for all personal administrative and travel expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies incurred in this assignment. Evaluation approach An outline of an approach for the review is provided below; however it should be made clear that the consultant is responsible for revising the approach as necessary. Any changes must be cleared by UNDP before being applied by the consultant. The review must provide evidence-based information that is credible, reliable and useful. It must be easily understood by project partners and applicable to the remaining period of project duration. The review will take place in consultant´s home office, using communication media for interviews and consultation of key project stakeholders. The consultant is expected to follow a participatory and consultative approach ensuring engagement with the project team, project partners and key stakeholders. The consultant is expected to consult all relevant sources of information, such as the project document, project reports – incl. progress reports, project files, national strategic and legal documents, and any other material that s/he may consider useful for evidence based assessment. The consultant is expected to use interviews as a means of collecting data on the performance and success of the project. The methodology to be used by the consultant should be presented in the report in detail. It shall include information on: Documentation reviewed; Interviews; Questionnaires; Participatory techniques and other approaches for the gathering and analysis of data. Although the Consultant should feel free to discuss with the authorities concerned, all matters relevant to its assignment, it is not authorized to make any commitment or statement on behalf of UNDP or GEF or the project management. The Consultant should reflect sound accounting procedures and be prudent in using the resources of the assignment. The timeframe and duration of activities are estimated to be broken down as follows: Desk review - 2 days Briefings by UNDP and NOUs - 2 days Interviews, questionnaires, de-briefings (5 countries) - 6 days (average 1 day per country) Drafting of the report - 2 days Validation of preliminary findings with stakeholders through circulation of draft reports for comments, meetings and other types of feedback mechanisms - 2 days Finalization of the report (incorporating comments received on first draft) - 1 day TOTAL - estimated 15 days The reports shall be drafted within 2 months after the signature of the contract.. Prior to approval of the final report, a draft version shall be submitted for comments to UNDP. UNDP and the stakeholders will submit comments and suggestions within 10 working days after receiving the draft. The finalized Review Report shall be submitted latest on 5 December 2011. If any discrepancies have emerged between impressions and findings of the consultant and the aforementioned parties, these should be explained in an annex attached to the final report.

Competencies

Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities Keeps abreast of available technology, understands its applicability and limitations, willingness to learn new technology

Required Skills and Experience

Master degree in chemistry, physics, engineering, environmental science or equivalent experience. (Criteria A) Significant experience related to the application of ODS substances, their phase out and related global (environmental issues including climate change, POPs and chemicals management. (weight x2) (Criteria B) Knowledge/understanding of the Montreal Protocol issues; (weight x2) (Criteria C) Recent knowledge of the GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policy; (weight x3) (Criteria D) Recent knowledge of UNDP’s results-based evaluation policies and procedures (weight x3) (Criteria E) Recent experience in evaluation of international donor driven development projects; (Criteria F) Excellent English writing and communication skills (Criteria G) Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and email communication software; (Criteria H) Evaluation of Applicants Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points: Criteria A– max points: 5 Criteria B – max points: 10 Criteria C – max points: 10 Criteria D – max points: 15 Criteria E – max points: 15 Criteria F– max points: 5 Criteria G – max points: 5 Criteria H – max points: 5 Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30points Application procedures The application should contain: Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, office costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

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.