Swiss Agency For Development And Cooperation Final Evaluator Independent Consultant

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST – UNRWA   UNRWA is the United Nations agency responsible for the protection, care and human development of a population of some 4.6 millionPalestinerefugees living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank,Jordan,Lebanon, and theSyrianArabRepublic. The Agency is committed to assistingPalestinerefugees in maintaining a decent standard of living, acquiring appropriate knowledge and skills, enjoying the fullest possible extent of human rights, and leading a long and healthy life. UNRWA is by far the largest UN operation in theMiddle Eastwith over 29,000 staff. Most of the staff members are refugees themselves, working directly to benefit their communities – as teachers, doctors, nurses or social workers. Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Final Evaluator Independent Consultant   Location Lebanon Field Office Type of Appointment Consultant Deadline for Application 18 October 2013 Vacancy Announcement Number 939/2013 Department/Division Office of the Director – Programme Support Office    PROJECT TITLE “Employment Services for Palestinian Refugees inSouth Lebanon”   PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project “Employment Services for Palestinian Refugees inSouth Lebanon” started in June 2011 with a total budget of USD1, 513,475. This project is implemented by UNRWA and ILO, and focuses on interventions aimed at providingPalestinerefugees inLebanonwith improved access to employment opportunities. The overall goal is poverty reduction and social inclusion ofPalestinerefugees considered particularly vulnerable in the Lebanese context.   The donor is the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). SDC is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and humanitarian aid across the world.   BACKGROUND RegisteredPalestinerefugees inLebanonhave limited social and civil rights; restrictions are also applied on the right to work meaning that only 37% of the working population is employed. The absence of employment opportunities and decent jobs maintainPalestinerefugees in hardship, and they are to a large extent afflicted by poverty both inside and outside the refugee camps; the occurrence of extreme poverty is four times higher as compared with the Lebanese population, with poverty concentrated in the South of Lebanon. Recognizing the continuous challengesPalestinerefugees face due to structural and legal obstacles impeding their entry into the formal labour market, both UNRWA and ILO have been working towards ensuring thatPalestinerefugees have access to decent jobs, which would enable them to rise out of poverty and live in dignity. Joblessness is a chronic issue across the Palestinian refugee population inLebanon, contributing to instability, extreme poverty and cycles of deprivation. Those who are employed often occupy low paid, informal or seasonal jobs, and the majority work without a written contract or other provisions which would classify the work as ‘decent’ by international standards. The provision of targeted employment services remains highly relevant, not least due to the fact thatPalestinerefugees are legally unable to access national employment services inLebanon; accordingly, the UNRWA Employment Services Centers (ESCs) remain the primary tool for the placement and referral ofPalestinerefugees to the labour market. Activities of the ESCs include job coaching, referral to relevant training providers, and youth empowerment through Active Labor Market Programmes (ALPs).  In parallel, the ILO works towards the collection and analyses of data on the Palestinian labour force, and the improvement of information on the demand-side of the Lebanese labour market.   PROJECT KEY OUTCOMES As a joint collaboration between UNRWA and the ILO, the project focuses on interventions aimed at providing better access to employment opportunities to Palestinian refugees. The overall goal is poverty reduction and social inclusion ofPalestinerefugees considered particularly vulnerable in the Lebanese context.   Reinforcement ofPalestinerefugees’ employability through referral to adequate vocational and skills training providers for low-skilled youth; apprenticeships and on-the-job training programmes; and job coaching services.   Enhancing the efficiency and coverage of the ESCs, with referral of jobseekers to quality placements.   Enhancing the capacity of UNRWA to deliver professional employment services.   Enhancing the connectivity of employment services to partners and stakeholders such as the Ministry of Labour, the National Employment Office, Employers and Workers organizations including a comprehensive approach on advocacy for Palestinian refugees under the overall ILO Decent Work Agenda.   RATIONALE FOR THE EVALUATION AND PURPOSE In an effort to assess results at the completion point of the project, this final independent evaluation will assess the extent to which and the project´s planned  results were achieved, and their impact on the involved stakeholders. Building on the project midterm evaluation findings, which was conducted in January 2013, the overall objective of the final evaluation is to assess the five pillars of project evaluation namely relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability. The final evaluation should draw out best practices as well as lessons learned throughout the project implementation.   The final evaluation aims at achieving a fair, objective and accurate assessment of the project performance, and at ensuring recommendations for similar future interventions inLebanon.   EVALUATION SCOPE The evaluation will: Measure to what extent the project achievements are in line with its stated objectives, outcomes, and outputs (both quantitative and qualitative); and explain why/why not, draw out the best practices and lessons learned to consider in future interventions; Assess the project’s contribution to reinforcing the employability ofPalestinerefugees acrossLebanon; Assess this project’s contribution to poverty reduction and social inclusion ofPalestinerefugees through access to employment services; Measures to what extent the recommendations of the midterm evaluation are implemented; and explain why and why not; Measure to what extent the resources are used in line with its listed outcomes; are the allocated resources utilized its fund efficiently and explain why/why not; Document lessons learned, success stories, and good practices and provide recommendations on how to best utilize them in future interventions; Measure to what extent the various interventions contributed toward meeting the needs of the relevant stakeholders especially the direct and indirect beneficiaries; and Identify the sustainability measures that are put in place to ensure the benefits of the projects’ interventions are going to be sustained by the relevant stakeholders and partners and explain why/why not.   METHODOLOGY APPROACH The final evaluation will be conducted by an independent evaluator. It will use methodologies and techniques as determined by the specific needs for information, the availability of resources and the priorities of stakeholders. In all cases the consultant is expected to analyze all relevant information sources, such as annual reports, project documents, internal review reports, and any other documents that may provide evidence on which to form conclusions.   The evaluator will be requested to provide his/her methodology and plan and to be endorsed by the evaluation oversight management committee before the start of the consultancy. It later should be described in detail in the final evaluation report, and should contain, at minimum, information on the instruments used for data collection and analysis, whether these be documents, interviews, field visits, questionnaires or participatory techniques.   EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES The consultant is responsible for submitting the following deliverables to the Programme Support Office:   Deliverables/ Outputs Estimated Duration to Complete Inception Report During the first week First draft - final evaluation report available to the three partner  for comments During the last week and before the dissemination workshop Dissemination workshop: Presentation of key findings to the three partners During last week of consultancy Second draft - final report Within 5 days after receiving partners’ comments Final review and feedback from partners Within 5 days after receiving the second draft Final report  - Final version Within 5 days after receiving partners’ comments   INCEPTION REPORT: The inception report describes the framework the evaluator will use in undertaking the evaluation. It sets out in some detail the evaluation methodology, i.e. how each question will be answered by way of data collection methods, data sources, sampling and indicators. The report must also contain a work plan, which indicates the phases in the evaluation with their key deliverables and milestones. The inception report will be reviewed and approved by the evaluation oversight management committee.   DRAFT FINAL REPORT: the draft final report will contain the same sections as the final report (described in the next paragraph). It will also contain an executive summary that includes a brief description of the project, its context and current situation, the purpose of the evaluation, its methodology and its main findings, best practices, lessons learned, conclusions and future recommendations. This report will be shared among project partners to seek their comments and suggestions which will be considered by the consultant.   FINAL EVALUATION REPORT: (to be submitted within 5 days of receipt of the draft final report with comments). The final report will contain an executive report that includes a brief description of the project, its context and current situation, the purpose of the evaluation, its methodology and its major findings, best practices, lessons learned, conclusions and recommendations. This report will contain the following sections at a minimum: -        Cover Page -        Executive summary -        Introduction (project description, purpose of evaluation, methodology) -        Findings and analysis of: Relevance Effectiveness Efficiency Impact Sustainability -        Conclusions and recommendations -        Best practices, lessons learned and constraints -        Annexes   Best practices and lessons learned: The findings of each evaluation area (relevance, effectiveness, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability) should be followed by analysis and conclusion proposing recommendations to be carried out in future projects and initiatives. The conclusions that are to be presented in a priority order must be clear and practical taking into consideration the possible constraints.   DUTY STATION Beirut, with travel to the areas where the Employment Services Centers (ESCs) are located (within Lebanon).   PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES (A)   Academic and Professional        Advanced university degree in Economics; Business Management; Social Science, International Relations, or related discipline;   (B)   Experience i)      At least seven years of experience in project/programme management and or monitoring and evaluation, preferably in the area of employment, poverty, international development and/or humanitarian assistance; ii)     At least five years’ experience in project evaluation and/or monitoring of projects, preferably in the area of poverty, employability and humanitarian assistance;   (C)   Language Excellent command of English (spoken and written).   (D)   Skills and Competencies i)      Demonstrated ability to conduct quality external evaluations of complex projects during a limited amount of time ii)     Excellent writing and editing skills; iii)   Excellent analytical skills; iv)    Very strong communication skills; v)     Proven ability to work in close cooperation with international and local stake-holders.   DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS i)      Previous experience in UN project evaluation; ii)     Experience in the region; iii)   Knowledge of the Lebanese context; iv)    Knowledge of Arabic.   CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Fees: Offer to be submitted by the consultant. Contract Duration: One month (Extendable according to availability of Funds).   EQUIVALENCY Candidates with an equivalent combination of relevant academic qualifications, professional training and progressive work experience may also be considered.   GENERAL INFORMATION UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications equally from men and women. It is Agency Policy to give full consideration to qualified disabled candidates whose disability does not impact their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the post. Priority will be given to fully qualify registered Palestinian refugees. Prior to the commencement of services,the consultant shall confirm and acknowledge in writing,and provide proof of the existence of,self-procured adequate private insurance against medical,disability and accident for the duration of the contract. As a member of the United Nations system, UNRWA maintains a close relatives’ policy.  In this regard, if a candidate has a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter) who is already employed by the Agency, he/she can only be employed if the Agency is unable to find another suitable candidate.   UNRWA staff members with fixed term appointments may not be considered for any consultant/contractor position while in service. Candidates who are no longer employed by the Agency must have a minimum of 3 months break in service before they apply to any consultant/contract positions.   UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity,neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights,for diversity,and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staffs are expected to uphold these values at all times,both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking working environment. الأونروا هي منظمة تابعة للأمم المتحدة، وهي منظمة تفترض من موظفيها الالتزام بأعلى معايير الاستقامة والحياد والنزاهة. ويشمل ذلك احترام مبادئ حقوق الإنسان واحترام التنوع وتبني الوسائل غير العنيفة في حل كافة أشكال النزاعات.  المتوقع من موظفي الأونروا أن يقوموا بدعم هذه القيم في كافة الأوقات، سواء في أماكن العمل أم خارجه. إن أولئك الأشخاص الذين يتمتعون بالالتزام الكامل وغير المشروط بهذه القيم هم فقط الذين ينبغي أن يتقدموا بطلباتهم للعمل لدى الأونروا. الأنروا هي بيئه عمل لا يسمح فيها بالتدخين.   HOW TO APPLY Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit the following documents to Caitlin Smith (c.smith@unrwa.org) no later than October 18, 2013.   Personal CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, two samples of work, and at least three (3) professional references; Inception note, including the consultancy methodology, approach, scope and main steps.  Time line, that shows the consultancy’s proposed duration against detailed activities; and Financial proposal that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price.   CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications, methodology and the price offer will weight 100%.   Date of issue: 04 October 2013