evaluation of UN-Habitat’s achievements, lessons, challenges and opportunities

BACKGROUND The United Nations Human Settlements, UN-Habitat, is the lead United Nations agency for Cities and Human Settlements. UN-Habitat’s specific mandate to assist member states in disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness, and post-disaster rehabilitation capacities in human settlements is derived from the Habitat Agenda. UN-Habitat’s engagement in Pakistan began on a small scale in the 1990’s addressing issues of secure tenure and other related problems. The extent of the humanitarian programme is also explained in terms of poverty prevalence in areas such as Baluchistan and rural Sindh as well as conflict and displacement issues in the border areas with Afghanistan since 2002. The humanitarian programmes by and large have targeted smaller human settlements in rural areas. The evaluation is conducted as part of the efforts of UN-Habitat to ensure that UN-Habitat evaluations provide a full representation of its mandate and activities, including evaluation of humanitarian interventions. The evaluation is included in the UN-Habitat evaluation plan 2012-2013. The main purpose of the evaluation is to: (i) provide evidence of results to meet accountability requirements, (ii) evaluate results achieved so far, and (iii) promote learning, feedback, and knowledge sharing through results and lessons learned of operational relevance for future project formulation and implementation. The evaluation is to provide UN-Habitat, its Governing bodies, donors, UNCT and the government of Pakistan with an independent and forward-looking evaluation of UN-Habitat’s achievements, lessons, challenges and opportunities. The evaluation will be conducted over a period of three months, September-November 2012. The evaluation will be carried out through analyses of various sources of information including desk review of relevant documents; key informant interviews and consultations with key stakeholders); surveys and field visits; and through cross-validation of data. While maintaining independence, the evaluation will seek the views of all key stakeholders. RESPONSIBILITIES The international consultant, who will be working with two national consultants, will be the team leader and have overall responsibility for producing the deliverables according to the quality standards of UN-Habitat for evaluation reports. Among the deliverables expected, there will be a) an inception report with work plan, b) draft evaluation reports, c) a final evaluation report not exceeding 40 pages not including annexes. Compliance with United Nations Evaluation Group standards and UN-Habitat evaluation report format is expected. Examples of evaluation reports are available from the website of the UN-Habitat Evaluation Unit: (http://www.unhabitat.org/evaluations). Full details of the evaluation are provided in the attached Terms of Reference. COMPETENCIES Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Communication: Excellent and effective written and oral skills. Ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner, proven ability for preparing comprehensive documents and reports. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by valuing others ideas and expertise and is willing to learn from others. Planning & Organizing: Proven ability to plan, coordinate and monitor own work and that of others. Ability to work under pressure and uses time efficiently. Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjust priorities as required. EDUCATION Advanced academic degree in relief and reconstruction, humanitarian strategies, urban development, housing, infrastructure, local governance, or similar relevant fields. WORK EXPERIENCE Extensive evaluation experience of humanitarian strategies and programme, especially participation and capacity building. The consultant should have proven ability to present credible findings derived from evidence and putting conclusions and recommendations supported by the findings. Experience of working in post-disaster environment is also required. Recent and relevant experience from working in developing countries. Experience in Asia an asset. Specialized knowledge of projects or programmes in the field of the recovery and reconstruction, urban development local governance, housing, or infrastructure. Relevant experience of other major humanitarian and development agencies or programmes (such as IFRC, UNHRC, IOM, World Bank, ADB, INGO), in particular in relation to programmes on house, land and property issues is an asset. Knowledge and understanding of UN-Habitat’s role in humanitarian interventions. Willingness to travel to Pakistan. LANGUAGE SKILLS Excellent English spoken and written; knowledge of Urdu an advantage. OTHER SKILLS Integrity, sound judgement, analytical skills, networking and interpersonal skills, and proven report writing skills. REMUNERATION Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement. Applications should include: Cover memo (maximum 1 page) Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information: Educational Background (incl. dates) Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.) Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments Expectations regarding remuneration All applications should be submitted to: Ms. Lucy Waikwa-Omondi UN-Habitat P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Email: Lucy.Waikwa-Omondi@unhabitat.org Fax: + 254 20 7623000 Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the UN-Habitat e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org Deadline for applications: 20 August 2012 UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org Download PDF Version English 10-Aug-12 Terms of Reference English 10-Aug-12