Location :
Vientiane, LAO PDR
Application Deadline :
01-Nov-13
Additional Category
Democratic Governance
Type of Contract :
Individual Contract
Post Level :
International Consultant
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
31-Dec-2013
Duration of Initial Contract :
2 Months (25 working days)
Expected Duration of Assignment :
2 Months (25 working days)
Background
UNDP has been working in partnership with the government of Lao PDR since 2006 towards the strengthening of the enabling environment for civil society. The first ever community radio in Lao PDR started broadcasting programmes in three ethnic languages in October 2007 (‘Khoun Radio for Development' (KRD)). The main objective of the community radio, established through a UNDP pilot project, was to support communities in one of the poorest districts in Laos to produce relevant information for themselves and through that, become active owners of the development process. A number of studies in recent years have confirmed that radio, which can be found in more than half of the households, is the single most trusted and preferred source of information. This is particularly the case amongst ethnic people, women and the elderly, where literacy rates are lowest. Radio has the added advantage that it can equally reach non-Lao speakers and illiterates in rural and remote communities who have very little access to reliable information including development information. In this framework, Community Radio was piloted with support from UNDP in the District of Khoun, Xiengkhouang and was extended until the end of 2010. It introduced genuine ethnic language programming produced by volunteer broadcasters from local communities and paved the way for additional community radios in other parts of the country. Khoun radio station works in partnership with Thateng Ethnic Community Radio for Development (TECRD), one of the two CRs in Sekong province established through UNDP GPAR Sekong project funded by the UNDP and United Nations Volunteers. Based on the success of this initiative, MICT has requested UNDP to assist up scaling community radios to all 47 poorest districts of Laos. In this context, the Community Participation and Community Support Programme (CPCSP) has been formulated and launched in 2011. The purpose of the evaluation is:
- To assess the performance of the CPCSP against its intended outputs (and that these remain aligned to appropriate outcomes) as set out in the Results and Resources Framework;
- To assist the Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism, the Department of Information Culture and Tourism Xieng Khouang, the Department of Information Culture and Tourism in Sekong, the Department of Information Culture and
- Tourism Oudomxay, UNDP and Oxfam Novib to adapt/re-orient the approach/strategy, if required, for the second part of the programme (2013-2014).
To assess the performance of the CPCSP against its intended outputs (and that these remain aligned to appropriate outcomes) as set out in the Result and resources Framework; The up scaling of the CPCSP in the framework with two extra community radios Make recommendations with regards to the (strategic) direction to for the programme beyond 2014.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Mission team will be responsible for the following activities under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Board, the Ministry of Information and Culture and UNDP:
- Conduct the Mid-Term Evaluation of the CPCSP and compilation of the lessons learned;
- Submit a first draft of the Mid-Term Report and Concept Note for review;
- Debrief about findings of the field visits with District authorities, the station manager and volunteers in Districts
- Facilitate an internal workshop or focus group discussion about the lessons learned in Vientiane;
- Lead the national debriefing for programme stakeholders in Vientiane;
- Presentation of the inception report with a list of preliminary findings and proposed future direction to key stakeholders;
- Produce a draft Mid-Term Evaluation Report with a Draft Concept Note;
- Revise on the basis of comments received, the Final Mid-Term Evaluation Report and simultaneously revise the draft Concept Note to accurately reflect comments and inputs received;
- Agreed Final version of the Mid-Term Evaluation report of the CPCSP with an agreed final version of the Concept Note
The final products for this assignment are:
- An inception report which contains the description of the evaluation methodology/methodological approach, data analysis methods, key informants/agencies, issues to be studied, work plan;
- Note that the methodological approach will be devised by the team as a stand-alone document which will set out the approach and design for the evaluation in line with the UNEG/G (2010).
Executive Summary (max 6 pages):
Mid-Term Evaluation Report including (max 20 pages but excluding annexes):
- Executive Summary (maximum five pages);
- Programme description;
- Evaluation purpose;
- Evaluation methodology;
- Findings;
- Lessons learnt;
- Recommendations;
- Annexes (including interview list – without identifying names for sake of confidentiality/ anonymity, data collection instruments, key documents consulted, Terms of Reference).
Concept Note development:
Using the information gathered during the Mid-Term Evaluation exercise, concurrently review and assess the information specifically around lessons learned to identify the key issues. Propose thematic and/or programmatic interventions, activities, indicative timelines and budgetary implications for the second part of the CPCS programme (2013-2014) including. Make concrete recommendations with regards to the second phase of the CPCSP beyond 2014. The concept note will also focus on the up scaling of the CPCSP with two extra community radios and the improvement of the current programme implementation (project management and programme implementation in line with the signed ProDoc). Provides recommendations for the (strategic) direction to the up scaling of the programme beyond 2014 Based on comments received on the drafts, the Mission Team Leader will finalize the deliverables, with inputs from other evaluation team members, as required, and submit to UNDP as Managing Agent of the Programme by the agreed date. Power point presentation of preliminary findings to the key stakeholders for dissemination purposes. The final report will be delivered 1 week after comments are received. The final report will be delivered in English and Lao.
Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls Output-based fees will be paid as per approval of reports by the CPCSP Programme Manager (MMD/MICT) and UNDP Governance Unit, who are responsible for the overall implementation of this task. This is a two (2) months assignment (end of December 2013 to end of February 2014). Timeline
The detailed timeline for the preparation of the finalization of the Mid Term Evaluation of the CPCSP and all outputs will be developed by the Consultant at end of December 2013.
Required Experience and Qualifications
The evaluation team will be headed by an international expert on civil society regulatory frameworks and their implementation. He/she will evaluate the results, achievements and constraints of the implementation of CPCSP and provide recommendations for the second part of the CPCSP [mid-2013-2014] and the formulation of a second phase of the CPCSP beyond 2014. The Team Leader will be responsible for delivering the final version of the Mid-Term Evaluation Report in a timely manner. Responsibilities of the Team Leader :
- Documentation review and framing of evaluation questions;
- Provide a global perspective and insights about governance, civil society and community radio practices;
- Leading the evaluation team in planning, execution and reporting;
- Deciding and managing division of labour within the evaluation team;
- Use of best practice evaluation methodologies in conducting the evaluation;
- Hold consultations and interviews with relevant stakeholders and strategic partners, (Lao) civil society organizations, mass organizations, international NGOs, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), a selection of ministries (Ministry of Post and Telecommunication, Ministry of Planning and Investment), a selection of Line offices and the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism in one or two provinces, UNDP, Oxfam Novib;
- Data collection and data analysis;
- Identify possible capacity development/enhancement issues;
- Evaluate the CPCSP results, achievements and constraints;
- Facilitate an internal workshop or focus group discussion about the lessons learned;
- Lead the national debriefing for programme stakeholders in Lao PDR;
- Lead the drafting and finalization/quality control of the evaluation report;
- Supervise the work of the other Mission Team member and distribute roles and responsibilities amongst the team.
Monitoring arrangement The Team Leader will report to UNDP's Head of the Governance Unit
Competencies
- Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills;
- Excellent organizational skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team (strong task management and team leading competencies);
- Ability to work under pressure and in a highly political environment;
- Demonstrated cultural sensitiveness and sound judgment.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master's Degree or equivalent experience in the field of media or other relevant areas.
Experience:
- Minimum of ten years of professional experience of which at least 5 in community radio or media related projects;
- Sound knowledge and experience in evaluation of development programmes/projects;
- Demonstrated project evaluation experience;
- Demonstrated experience with UNDP in similar missions an advantage;
- Thorough understanding of key elements of results-based programme management;
- Strong communication skills;
- Substantial knowledge of community radio or other community media;
- Sound knowledge and understanding of gender sensitivity and social inclusion;
- Ability to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of programme structure and implementation modalities to inform UNDP;
- Working experience in remote areas;
- Experience in working with ethnic / indigenous people.
- Fluency in English, both in speaking and writing;
- Working knowledge of Lao language (is an asset).
Evaluation of Proposals Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology: Cumulative analysis Evaluation of Proposals Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology: Cumulative analysis
Evaluation of proposals and award criteria: Only a consultant obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical rating would be considered for the financial evaluation
For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1- Terms of Reference (TOR). TOR and General Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultants can be also downloaded at http://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/operations/jobs/ Note: Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to the following e-mail: vilaykham.lasasimma@undp.org UNDP Lao PDR will respond in writing by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. The copies of the response will be also placed on our web-site at http://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/operations/jobs/ and linked to the current Procurement Notice. All interested candidates are encouraged to visit the above web-site for updates. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more detailed information about UNDP Lao PDR please visit our website at http://www.la.undp.org/lao_pdr/en/home
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.
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