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For every child, Care.
Objective :
The primary purpose of the MTR will be to review the progress achieved to date towards the expected results of the CP as outlined in the CPD 2018 – 2022, taking also into consideration any Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) that Egypt is contributing to (ie. Multi-country Syrian HAC from 2018 to 2020 and COVID-19 HAC 2020; to take stock of changes in the programming context; and to review performance of the country office in implementing programme strategies and principles underlying the country programme. The conclusions of the MTR, including the lessons learned, will be incorporated into the planning of the remaining period of the country programme and inform the planning of the next cycle.
The Mid-Term Review (MTR) aims to :
- Assess progress in implementing the 2018-2022 CP and the extent to which its goal and expected results as described in the CPD are being met, and to assess bottlenecks and opportunities encountered by the CP ;
- Review the assumptions and context of the CP, including, but not limited to any changes in national priorities and any changes brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, and determine the continuing relevance of the CP ;
- Identify and make provisions for adequate adjustments in the key elements of the design of the country programme as established in the CPD including programmatic results framework, strategies, office and staffing structure, funding allocations and management arrangements. The MTR will identify these adjustments putting into consideration situation of children rights, political developments, UNICEF mandate; positioning and the Humanitarian and Gender equity agenda.
This consultancy will support the country office in conducting the Mid Term Review (MTR) of the Egypt CP (2018 – 2022). The consultant’s primary responsibility is to provide analysis and write all the reports of the MTR as well as revising as required the CPD 2018 – 2022. Additionally, the consultant will support the implementation of the MTR timeline, design the workshops, and support the facilitation of workshops. The consultant, with the appropriate experience, will also provide the external and independent review of the Country Programme through the agreed processes and workshops.
Methodology :
Scope and Critical Components of the MTR
To ensure the purpose and scope of the Mid-Term Review (MTR) are achieved, the methodology will include the following key components :
- Desk review of progress towards planned results (internally and with government partners) ;
- Review of changes in the programming context including any changes in national priorities and context changes due to COVID-19 pandemic ;
- Sectoral review meetings with line ministries (before the involvement of the consultant) ;
- External cross-sectoral review meetings with line ministries ;
- Internal Strategic review meetings on programmes ;
- Internal Strategic review meetings on governance.
1) Desk review of progress towards planned results (internally and with government partners) :
- Desk review of progress towards the expected results as stated in the CPD and Syrian multi-country HAC, as well as COVID-19 HAC. The review process will analyse whether activities and outputs are leading to desired outcomes, and are consequently substantiating the theories of change that underlie programme results and specific interventions as outlined in the CPD and HACs. The process will include both national level progress as well as field level in programme implementation ;
- The assessment should include assessment towards all programmatic results including annual workplan, AMP priorities, COVID-19 response, including any progress made in cross-sectoral issues. The assessment will also examine how the Country Programme focuses on equity-related issues within the national settings, including how effectively it addresses the relevant barriers and bottlenecks or gaps for vulnerable populations, including refuges/migrants, children on the move, children with disabilities, children living under the poverty line among other groups. Additionally, the assessment should also include any assessment towards the strategies employed to achieve these results (eg.system strengthening, any strategic partnerships, communication for development etc), as well as approaches in the interventions, such as human-rights based approaches, and mainstreaming prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) ;
- The programme sections will individually review sectoral progress prior to the engagement of the consultant through desk review as well as consultations with line ministries. The consultant will be responsible for independent desk review of the sectoral progress (including but not limited to through reviewing the reports produced by the programme sections during the MTR process) as well as any progress made towards cross-sectoral results through desk review and consultations through cross-sectoral workshops with government counterparts ;
- The desk review should include review of CPD (including available information on each indicator, as outlined in the monitoring and evaluation section of the CPD), annual workplan and annual management plans and Result Assessment Module (RAM, an UNICEF internal results monitoring system) report, Country Office Annual Reports, MIS and M&E Systems, Resource Mobilization and Advocacy Strategies, key research and other assessments and evaluations, as well as the SitAn and Diagnostic Papers ;
- The cross-sectoral review with government counterparts will be a workshop where relevant cross-sectoral government counterparts are invited and focus on cross-sectoral themes such as GenU, EVAC, ECD, gender equity and other themes as appropriate. This workshops follows the sectoral consultations done by sections previously, and should be informed also by any recommendations through the sectoral consultations.
2) Review of changes in the programming context including any changes in national priorities and context changes due to COVID-19 pandemic :
Changes in the programming context, including significant developments in the political, economic, emergency risk and security context, including any changes in national priorities will be analysed. In preparation for the UNPDF MTR, UNCT has finalized a series of comprehensive diagnostic papers outlining the changes in context, including any progress Egypt has made towards SDGs. UNICEF has also conducted many assessments and evaluations during the first half the CP including but not limited to the research on presidential priorities that should be taken into consideration. Similarly, any changes and updates in UNICEF organizational mandates such as the enhanced emphasis on gender equity programming, PSEA, accountability to affected populations, disability mainstreaming should be considered. The changes in external and internal context will inform the continuing relevance and gaps in the CP and any necessary adjustments to the CP in its results frameworks, strategies and indicators, for the remaining period of the CP as well as for the next CP.
3) Internal strategic review meeting on programmes :
The internal strategic review meeting on programmes will serve as a plenary where outcomes from previous stages will be shared, including the main achievements, constraints and lessons learned, and to discuss the recommendations and agree on the way forward, including proposed revisions for the remaining period of the country programme.
Activities, deliverables and timelines, plus budget per deliverable :
To conduct this exercise UNICEF will contract a national consultant who has outstanding expertise and experience in this field of work. The consultant will be based in Cairo and there are no expected travels within or outside of Egypt.
The MTR timeline that the consultant will be engaged in consist of 7 weeks in total (not including previous preparatory sectoral consultation work by the country office), starting from the agreed date. Throughout the MTR process, the consultant will report on progress to the CMT every 2 weeks. The consultant will also report to and consult as necessary the Deputy Representative, Planning Officer and the M&E specialist.
The MTR will result in a limited number of strategic, time bound and actionable recommendations that provide future direction to UNICEF’s engagement in Egypt, for the ongoing and the next Country Programme, both short and long term, and include an analysis of resource implications.
UNICEF will confirm the outcomes of the MTR through a signed copy of the full MTR report. Agreed MTR recommendations and formal amendments to the CP, will be reflected in the rolling work plans for the subsequent years of the CP cycle.
The key tasks and deliverables outlined here below are a summary, followed by “Specific Tasks” section where details are laid out. The consultant will support the implementation, provide analysis and write all required reports for the MTR process under the direct supervision UNICEF Egypt’s Deputy Representative. Additionally, a detailed timeline of the MTR process has been developed (to which these deliverables align) which will be shared and discussed with the consultant upon signing of the contract.
Table of Key Tasks and Deliverables – summary :
|
MTR (Programme) Key Tasks
|
Deliverables
|
Timeline
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| 1 |
The design of Cross-Sectoral Programme Review Workshops |
Agenda, definition/criteria and agenda for sub-groups (if necessary), any presentations, appropriate participation from ministries |
By Monday, 25th January 2021 |
| 2 |
Lead the facilitation of Cross-Sectoral Programme Review Workshops |
Agenda, any presentations slides from Dep Rep office (overview, opening, context, cross-sectoral issues), quality assurance of section slides. Participation and facilitation of the meeting, recording of the meeting. Capacity Gap assessment, feasibility analysis. |
On Monday, 25th January 2021 |
| 3 |
Draft an interim MTR report on findings and recommendations from cross-sectoral consultations |
Interim MTR report on cross-sectoral consultation. |
By Thursday, 28st January 2021 |
| 4 |
The design and facilitation of Internal Programme Review. |
Agenda, any presentations slides from Dep Rep office (overview, opening, context, cross-sectoral issues), quality assurance of section slides. Participation and facilitation of the meeting, recording of the meeting. |
By Monday, 1st February 2021
|
| 5 |
Draft the MTR final report |
Draft MTR report consisting of executive summary and analysis of sectoral and cross-sectoral results (details in previous section of the TOR) |
By Monday, 8th February to Dep Rep Office,
By Sunday, 14th February to CMT |
| 6 |
Presentation of finding to the CMT and finalization of the MTR report, taking into consideration all comments and input by the CMT |
Final MTR report, after revision based on comments from relevant colleagues |
By Thursday, 25th February 2021 |
The task of the consultant include the following (in chronological order) :
- Design of Cross-Sectoral Programme Review Workshops : Under the guidance of Deputy Representative, Planning Officer and the M&E specialist, design agenda, presentations, participation and logistics (with admin support) for cross-sectoral review workshop inviting relevant line ministries.
- Lead the facilitation of Cross-Sectoral Programme Review Workshops : Assist in the facilitation of the above Cross-Sectoral Programme Review Workshops, planned on Monday, 25th January 2021.
- Draft an interim MTR report on findings and recommendations from cross-sectoral consultations : Using the findings and recommendation from results of the cross-sectoral workshop, the consultant will draft an interim analysis report of the MTR (5 – 10 page). The MTR interim report is intended to inform senior management on the MTR progress thus far, especially on the cross-sectoral consultations, before the internal programme review. The detailed outline of the report will be agreed with the Deputy Representative prior to the cross-sectoral workshop outlined in item 2, however, it should include analysis on gaps as well as recommendations based on the cross-sectoral consultations at this point. The interim analysis report should be shared with the Core Management Team(CMT) by Thursday, 28st January 2021 ;
- Design and facilitation of UNICEF Internal Strategic Programme Review : The consultant will support design and facilitation of the internal Strategic Programme Review meeting, planned to be held on the Monday, 1st February 2021 ;
- Draft the MTR final report : Draft the MTR report (20 – 30 pages not-including annex). The report can draw from the interim analysis report produced in item 3, however should be revised based on the internal programme review outlined in item 4. The report should also include a section outlining the process of the MTR, summary and highlights of sectoral consultations based on the reports drafted by the programme sections (sections will draft 3 – 6 page reports on the sectoral and cross-sectoral findings and share with Deputy Representative’s office by Thursday, 28th January 2021), and consolidated (not fragmented) final recommendations taking into consideration sectoral and cross-sectoral consultations with ministries and the internal programme review meeting, as well as any relevant documents. Additionally, the report must include an executive summary and clearly outline the recommended adjustment to the Theory of Change as well as any adjustment to the results framework of the CP and funding strategies, noting the recommendation not to adjust and the justification, if any. The executive summary should not exceed 4 pages. The first draft of the final MTR report should be shared for comments with the Deputy Representative, Planning Officer and M&E Specialist by Monday, 8th February 2021. The revised report will then be shared with the Core Management Team(CMT) by Sunday, 14th February 2021 for comments (and also for CMT information before the internal governance review outlined in item 6 ;
- Presentation of finding to the CMT and finalization of the MTR report, taking into consideration all comments and input by the CMT : Presentation of the finding of the report to the CMT to be conducted on Monday, 15th February. The consultant will then finalize the report based on any feedback and comments from the CMT (to be given between 15th February and 20th February) and submit the final report by Thursday, 25th February to be signed off by senior management.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- The required skills and experience for the consultant is as follows :
- Advanced degree in the social sciences (such as sociology, social anthropology, and development studies), Economics/Statistics or related fields relevant for the assignment ;
- At least 7 years of experience in management, planning, and facilitating and undertaking programme reviews. MTR or program and management reviews. Prior experience conducting MTR in UNICEF or other UN entity a strong asset ;
- Experience with UNICEF Mid-Term Reviews (MTR) or within the UN system a strong asset ;
- Excellent analytical, conceptual and writing skills ;
- Strong facilitation and coordination skills, including participatory group discussion ;
- Institutional knowledge of UNICEF ;
- Familiarity with Egypt current national development priorities and challenges is an advantage ;
- Excellent command of English, both written and oral ;
- The consultant will be also expected to submit 1 or 2 samples of previous similar work produced and at least 3 references.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks :
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.