International consultant for final project evaluation

In accordance with UNDP/GEF Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) policies and procedures, UNDP Project “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Kazakhstan Part of Altay-Sayan Eco-region” supported by GEF should undergo a final evaluation upon completion of implementation. The objective of UNDP\GEF project is to conserve the globally significant biological diversity in the Kazakhstani part of Altai-Sayan ecoregion. The primary objective of the project is to improve the efficiency of SNPA national system in Kazakhstan to conserve the biodiversity by showing sustainable and replicable approaches to the management within the protected areas in the Kazakhstani part of Altai-Sayan ecoregion. Six outcomes will be achieved on the completion of the project: SNPA network will be increased and the efficiency of SNPA system management will be improved; the degree of the awareness of different stakeholders on the conservation of the biodiversity and SNPA activity will be improved; the existing legal and institutional frameworks will be improved in order to strengthen SNPA national system; the conditions for involvement of local population into the process of the biodiversity conservation and the development of alternative economic activity within SNPA and buffer zones will be created; the exchange of information and the cooperation between SNPA will be improved; it is supposed that the positive experience and the project outcomes will be disseminated to be replicated in other regions of SNPA national system, forests protection as natural carbon storages. The key stakeholders of this project are: Ministry of Environment of RK Committee for Forestry and Hunting Sector under the Ministry of Agriculture of RK SNPA within the project area Regional Committee for the Project Management National Committee for the Project Management and working group for the project development Akimats (mayor’s offices) of the districts and regions Local communities NGO Private sector GEF Secretariat which is not involved into the implementation of the project but the Report on the Final Evaluation Prepared according to the Terms of References will be provided to the Secretariat The World community The concept of the project was approved on May 16, 2001. The preparatory stage of the project PDF-B was singed on July 2, 2001. The design project with all the relevant documents was submitted to GEF secretariat on June 2, 2005. It was considered by GEF secretariat on June 16, 2005. After receiving the comments the final submission of the design document was done on August 2, 2005. The approval of GEF CEO for the implementation of the full-scale project within the operating program framework No 4 – Mountain ecosystems as a part of the Strategic priority No 1 “Improvement of SNPA sustainability” defined in GEF business-plan was received on September 21, 2006. UNDP-GEF signed the Document in the Government on January 10, 2007. Thus, the beginning of the project implementation was marked. The first payments were done on January 27. The setup workshops were organized and the setup report was prepared in August 2007. Objective: 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 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 similar projects and programmes. Evaluation Aims: Evaluation aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the project and provides an opportunity to assess the strategies, results, problems and limitations. In this activity the project will be evaluated on the basis of the indicators presented in the logical framework of the project (see Annex E to the TOR). The main purpose of the evaluation is to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of project activities in relation to the stated objective. The evaluation is expected to produce possible recommendations on: The key elements of success of the project and further steps to be taken to secure successful initiatives in all project sites. Gaps remaining after the project implementation to be addressed in further initiatives by the partners and the Government. Identify risks to the sustainability of the project initiatives to be considered by the partners in the course of management of wetlands in future.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and manage the evaluation mission. Design the detailed evaluation scope and methodology (including the methods for data collection and analysis). Assist in drafting terms of reference of the national consultant. Decide the division of labor within the evaluation team. Conduct an analysis of the outcome, outputs and partnership strategy (as per the scope of the evaluation described above). Draft related parts of the evaluation report Finalize the whole evaluation report taking into account feedback from the project staff, UNDP and the project implementing agency. Coordinates activities and reports any action to UNDP Country office. Provides compliance with the requirements of technical assignment stated in Terms of Reference in time and at a high quality level. Provides unconditional fulfillment of the requirements specified in the Individual Contract.

Competencies

Competent in Adaptive Management, as applied to conservation or natural resource management projects. Recent experience with result-based management evaluation methodologies Experience applying participatory monitoring approaches Experience applying SMART indicators and reconstructing or validating baseline scenarios Recent knowledge of the GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policy Recent knowledge of UNDP’s results-based evaluation policies and procedures Recognized expertise in the management and sustainable use of wetlands in Central Asian ecosystems Familiarity with policies and management structures of protected areas, agriculture, fishing and hunting industries in Kazakhstan. Demonstrable analytical skills. Work experience in relevant areas for at least 10 years. Experience with multilateral or bilateral supported conservation projects Project evaluation experiences within United Nations system will be considered an asset Excellent English communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education : Advanced University degree in Natural Sciences Years of experience: Minimum ten years relevant work experience. Language: Fluency in written and spoken English Application Procedure: Technical proposal Cover page, explaining why he/she consider himself/herself the most suitable candidate for the work, Financial proposal Personal CV including past experience in relevant field\area. At least 2 (two) references Other documents confirming the work experience, knowledge and skills (not compulsory) should be sent to aliya.akhmetova@undp.org Financial proposal as a separate document should be emailed to Environment.kz@undp.org Important Note!- Please refer to www.undp.kz/ vacancies / Individual Contacts to download the Terms of References, Procurement Notice & Financial Proposal template. For more details please contact aliya.akhmetova@undp.org

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.

International consultant for final project evaluation