The objective of the assignment is to conduct an evaluation(s) of selected KJP projects in terms of their successes, challenges, lessons learned, and way forward. The evaluation should consider the degree to which UNCDF KJP projects met their impact objectives and contributed to empowering beneficiaries and enabling access to finance as well as skill development. Other considerations will be determined in consultation with the UNCDF Country Lead for Rwanda and Tanzania. The consultant will produce at least two publications and create communications materials (e.g. blog posts, conference presentations) as necessary.

The consultant should have demonstrated expertise in the design and implementation of research projects focused on access to finance, gender, and/or youth in Tanzania, as well as relevant experience working on financial inclusion interventions and/or in the financial services industry. (S)He is expected to work under the supervision and guidance of the UNCDF Country Lead for Rwanda & Tanzania or her assignee, and in close collaboration with in-country partners.

More specific objectives follow:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of relevant project-related documents and draft and submit an inception report. The inception report will be a research plan that includes the overall approach and methodology; key lines of inquiry and any interview protocols; data collection tools and mechanisms; proposed list of interviewees; and a proposed work plan and timelines.
• Gain good understanding of UNCDF approaches, tools (access to finance and digital-financial education), partners (implementing, UN and government) and target beneficiaries to evaluate comparative efficiency and effectiveness.
• The consultant may employ any relevant and appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods (s)he deems appropriate to conduct the project final evaluation. Methods could include: desk review of documents; interviews with stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries; (virtual) field visits; data analysis, etc. However, a combination of primary and secondary, as well as qualitative and quantitative data should be used. The consultant is expected to revise the methodological approach in consultation with key stakeholders as necessary and should present both quantitative data and qualitative findings and data.
• Prepare a draft evaluation report to be submitted to the Country Lead for Rwanda and Tanzania. Key elements of the report will be determined in the inception phase and agreed with the Country Lead for Rwanda and Tanzania but may include:
  • Evaluation criteria: e.g. relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, gender;
  • The main programming factors of success and challenges;
  • The main implementation factors of success and challenges;
  • The main gaps and challenges and ways to address them;
  • The key actors to whom the recommendation is targeted.
• Produce a final report based on comments from the Country Lead for Rwanda and Tanzania and any other relevant reviewers.
• Draft documents, communications and knowledge-sharing materials as necessary (at least two publications).

Some of the activities outlined above require alignment with partners or may lead to conceptualization of new activities. Such activities in these areas will be agreed upon in writing between the consultant and UNCDF as they arise.

SCOPE OF WORK

At the end of the contract period, the consultant will be expected to attain the following results

• An inception report and research protocol and plan
• At least one progress report and participation in team calls biweekly
• Draft final evaluation(s)
• Final evaluation(s) including two publications and a to-be-determined number of knowledge-sharing products that will contribute to UNCDF visibility in the wider stakeholder community.

Maximum number of working days: Up to 50 working days

Expected Duration of Assignment: twelve (12) months

	Activities	Deliverables	Nr of days	Payment Timeline
1	Inception Report  Conduct desk research to develop research plan including, e.g. overall approach and methodology; key lines of inquiry and any interview protocols; data collection tools and mechanisms; proposed list of interviewees; and a proposed work plan and timelines.	Inception report and related materials The monthly timesheet and projects’ workbooks should demonstrate the level of effort.	Up to 10 (20% of the contract value)	Month 2
2	Research Progress Report(s)  Prepare, submit, and review at least one progress report with the Country Lead for Rwanda and Tanzania and iterate research approach/workplan accordingly.	Research progress report(s) The monthly timesheet and projects’ workbooks should demonstrate the level of effort.	Up to 10 (20% of the contract value) throughout the contract, on a monthly basis	Month 6
3	Draft Final Report/Publication(s)  Prepare, submit, and review draft final report / draft publications with the Country Lead.	Draft final report The monthly timesheet and projects’ workbooks should demonstrate the level of effort.	Up to 20 (40% of the contract value)	Month 9
4	Accepted Final Report  Incorporate comments elaborate final reports and knowledge products.		Up to 10 (20% of the contract value)	Month 12
	Total		50

Consultant presence required on Duty Station/UNDP Premises 

Duty station: The consultant will be home-based with intermittent office presence in Tanzania UNCDF office, frequent travel to project sites in Tanzania and possible travels to other sites regionally, where UNCDF operates. The schedule of project-related travel will be negotiated with the consultant(s) according to the requirements of each programme.

• Travel to project locations as agreed with the Country Lead or her assignee.

Provision of Quality, Monitoring and Progress Controls 

The following supporting documents will serve as conditions for disbursement: (i) monthly submission of an invoice and Certificate of Payment (COP) duly approved by the Country Lead; (ii) review, approval and written acceptance of each deliverable project by the Country Lead and/or her designate; and (iii) an authorization of payment disbursement from a direct supervisor.

The consultant(s) will work under the direct supervision of the Country Lead for Tanzania and Rwanda and in close collaboration with other relevant colleagues, experts and/or institutions designated by the country Teams. The Country Lead or her assignee will provide overall supervision of the consultancy and approve key deliverables.

The consultant is responsible for providing his/her own laptop.

UNCDF shall closely monitor the performance of the consultant, and such monitoring shall include the detailed tracking of cumulative payments ensuring that they do not exceed the approved limit in the contract. If the consultant fails to meet performance requirements detailed above, (s)he will receive in first instance, a communication requesting an improvement in performance. Continued failure to meet performance requirements may result in termination and non-utilization of the contract.

Standard Travel Costs and Daily Supplemental Allowance (DSA):

• If the travel is to perform work or deliver outputs that are OUTSIDE the work/deliverables agreed in the contract, the unit supervising the consultant will fully justify in a note to file why the consultant is being asked to undertake such travel.  The said justification should be provided along with the supporting documents uploaded in the T&E module and in line with UNDP/UNCDF Travel Policy rules. The contractor will conduct briefings to the UNCDF team prior to and following field visits to projects via meetings and back to office reports (BTORs) and all supporting documentation for F10 within two weeks.
• In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon in writing between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant prior to travel and will be reimbursed according to UNDP/UNCDF Travel Policy.

Qualifications and Level of Consultants QUALIFICATIONS AND LEVEL OF CONSULTANTS

The consultant must provide evidence of the technical capacity to undertake this assignment. This includes capacity to deliver the results in the timeframe provided as well as indication of prior experience (relevant research and financial inclusion/capabilities and experience, training, program development and evaluation).