Evaluation of Knowledge Management in UNDP – Individual Consultancy

In 2008, UNDP stated that the organization is suffering from a “cognitive surplus” of experience, talent and knowledge which often goes unleveraged or unrecognised. Acknowledging the important role that knowledge plays in UNDP’s core mandate of assisting development partners in responding to crisis, contributing to the achievement of the MDGs and fostering human development, the UNDP Knowledge Strategy 2009-2011 captures prior organisational challenges and achievements, presenting a new way forward to share and utilize UNDP’s global expertise. It does this by collecting, contextualising and distributing the enormous amount of knowledge available, positioning UNDP as a “knowledge organisation”. For the purpose of implementing this strategy, the Knowledge Management Group within UNDP’s Bureau for Development Policy established the project “Knowledge Management (KM) in UNDP: The Next Generation” which focuses on the following outputs: OUTPUT 1: A secure, web-based extranet (Teamworks) implemented to simplify, encourage and enhance collaboration and connection. OUTPUT 2: UNDP leverages knowledge assets to drive organisational performance. OUTPUT 3: UN multi-agency knowledge sharing and engagement enhanced for more effective response to development priorities. OUTPUT 4: Corporate knowledge management group reinforced to implement the UNDP knowledge strategy. Through these elements the project aims to ensure that UNDP’s vast knowledge resources and expertise are fully leveraged and accessible whenever and wherever needed. It is designed to streamline the delivery of policy advisory services by supporting UNDP’s client-facing staff in providing knowledge-based services and results-based solutions to partners working to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The project intends to strengthen global and local partnerships both within and outside the UN system by making relevant knowledge readily available to UNDP staff and partners wherever located, improving and expanding UNDP’s knowledge networks and the contextualization of knowledge and skills in support of development outcomes. Having UNDP’s knowledge readily available enables doing more with less, increases cost effectiveness, maximizes investments made in external expertise and ensures retention of experience from staff and consultants. The project has been designed to be operational at global, regional, and country levels, in collaboration and coordination with relevant partners, including other UNDP units, programmes, and initiatives, other UN agencies and organisations, as well as partners from civil society. The project document states that “the project will be evaluated in 2011 as part of the evaluation plan of BDP projects”. This evaluation will serve as the final review of the project during the 2009-11 period of the Knowledge Strategy, and will support the process of preparing the Knowledge Strategy for 2012-14, building on the achievements of the current strategy and translating them into a model for enhanced and diversified knowledge services to UNDP partners and clients.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose The purpose of evaluation is to assess to what extent the objectives of the project “Knowledge Management (KM) in UNDP: The Next Generation” have achieved the results defined in the project framework. Based on a thorough analysis of the results, the review will identify challenges and lessons learned to strengthen the components institutionalized by the project and to feed the results and learning points back into the process of updating the UNDP Knowledge Strategy for 2012-14. The assessment and analysis of progress and results achieved will reference core documents, including: (i) indicators outlined in the project document “Knowledge Management (KM) in UNDP: The Next Generation”; (ii) Global Programme results and resources framework; (iii) implementation of the BDP evaluation plan and available evaluative evidence including thematic evaluations; and, (iv) approved resource frameworks. Objectives and Scope To plan and conduct an evaluation of the project “Knowledge Management (KM) in UNDP: The Next Generation”. This will include reviewing project implementation progress and results achieved against indicators and relevant funding sources. To develop a draft chapter drawing upon the outcomes of the evaluation of the “Knowledge Management (KM) in UNDP: The Next Generation” as substantive input to the Knowledge Strategy 2012-14 document, highlighting achievements and learning elements of the past project phase and substantiating the rationale for the strategies’ different recommendations regarding future directions and initiatives for knowledge management in UNDP. To plan and conduct an evaluation of the project “Knowledge Management (KM) in UNDP: The Next Generation”. This will include reviewing project implementation progress and results achieved against indicators and relevant funding sources. Evaluation Questions These questions should be considered indicative only and the final questions would be refined with the IC during initial consultations with the KMG. Were the stated project outcomes fully achieved? Where outcomes were not fully achieved, what were the barriers to full achievement? Were project risks mitigated appropriately? What factors contributed to the success of the project? What changes are recommended, if any, to ensure continued success and effectiveness of the project? Timeline and Methodology The final evaluation report is to be submitted by February 28, 2012. During the initial period of discovery, the IC will be expected to determine and agree with the KMG upon the best methods and tools for collecting and analyzing the data necessary to complete the evaluation. The IC is expected to carry out the following activities: Desk review of key documents Receive briefings from KMG and other stakeholders Finalise the evaluation design and methods and prepare the detailed inception report Data capture, as required and agreed at the inception stage Preparing the draft report Stakeholder meetings to review draft and final report (quality assurance) Incorporating comments and finalizing the evaluation report Providing briefings to stakeholders on evaluation outcomes. Contributions to the Knowledge Strategy 2012-13 to be submitted by January 31, 2012. The evaluation is to be conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the UNEG ‘Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation’.

Competencies

Core Competencies: Very strong written communication skills, and the ability to follow a format appropriate and compliant with UNDP’s official writing. Strong verbal skills to engage in research and interviews in a multi-cultural setting. Leadership and strategic management skills. Strong understanding of knowledge management and social media, evaluation, international development issues as well as knowledge of the UN system. Excellent interpersonal skills and objectivity; Ability to analyze large sets of electronic data in a short period of time. Experience working collaboratively in small teams with tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Masters or PhD in a relevant field, and at least 12 years of international development experience. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in knowledge management or organizational development, including social media within the enterprise; Familiarity with UNDP, the UN system and the international development landscape; Background in knowledge management, organizational development, strategic planning; Demonstrated previous experience drafting or contributing to UN development documents; Sound methodological skills and knowledge of evaluation methods and techniques; Strong monitoring and evaluation background. Link to procurement notice: Applicants should note that the full procurement notice is posted at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=7909 including all requirements for submission, as well as Terms of Reference and General Terms and Conditions of Service. Please note the deadline for submission is extended to Thursday 17th November. Please ensure your financial proposal is included in your submission, in the terms detailed in the procurement notice. DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED 1. Proposal: (i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work (ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable) 2. Financial proposal 3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

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Evaluation of Knowledge Management in UNDP – Individual Consultancy