The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a principal training arm of the United Nations, with the aim to increase the effectiveness of the United Nations in achieving its major objectives through training and research. The UNITAR mission is to develop the individual, institutional and organizational capacity of countries and other United Nations stakeholders through high-quality learning solutions and related knowledge products and services to enhance decision-making and to support country-level action for overcoming global challenges.
Learning outcomes are associated with about two-thirds of the Institute’s 500 some events organized annually, with a cumulative outreach to over 56,000 individuals (including 38,000 learners). Approximately three-quarters of beneficiaries from learning-related programming are from developing countries. UNITAR training covers various thematic areas, including activities to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; multilateral diplomacy; public finance and trade; environment, including climate change, environmental law and governance, and chemicals and waste management; peacekeeping, peacebuilding and conflict prevention; decentralized cooperation; and resilience and disaster risk reduction. UNITAR’s areas of work are structured under the pillars of peace, people, planet and prosperity of the 2030 Agenda.
Within the framework of the Institute, the CIFAL[1] Global Network of International Training Centres for Authorities and Leaders (in short, the CIFAL Global Network), is an international collaborative network of CIFAL Centres delivering innovative training services and acting as hubs for the exchange of knowledge amongst government officials, the private sector and civil society. Created in 2003, the CIFAL Global Network has grown over the years both in number and geographical coverage; it has also changed its targeted focus from initially serving local actors to its current focus on leaders and authorities. Today, the CIFAL Global Network is composed of 17 CIFAL Centres located in cities across Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean. The list of existing CIFAL Centres (and websites) is annexed.
The eradication of poverty and hunger, environmental sustainability, risk reduction of natural disasters and provision of skills required to compete in a global economy, are only a few of the challenges that governments and societies face. The CIFAL Global Network recognizes that there is a crucial need for capacity development in order to address these challenges.
UNITAR of the CIFAL Global Network are committed to making a meaningful and impactful contribution towards the implementation of the Agenda 2030, as well as the other major outcomes from 2015, including those of the Sendai (Disaster Risk Reduction) Paris (Climate Change) and Addis Ababa (Financing for Development) conferences.
The CIFAL Global Network assists primarily local authorities by providing training and learning opportunities (short to medium-term courses and workshops delivered face-to-face; e-Learning courses; blended courses), as well as by facilitating city-to-city cooperation that leads to the development and implementation of specific actions in support of sustainable development.
While working together, the CIFAL Centres address a wide range of issues, including:
Urban Governance and Planning;
Economic Development;
Social Inclusion;
Environmental Sustainability;
Cross-Cutting.
The central purpose of CIFAL training programmes is to develop and strengthen human capacities to better respond to development challenges and to facilitate City to City (C2C) partnerships. CIFAL’s trainings provide a platform for dialogue and knowledge transfer on key development related issues. Through knowledge management methodologies, CIFAL Centres provide networking opportunities that lead to collaboration, facilitation of peer to peer learning and exchange of best practices. The CIFAL Global Network has reached more than 70,000 beneficiaries through 500 events since 2013.[2] More than half of the events reaching more than 12,000 learners (or 17 per cent) include learning outcomes; 81 events are recorded as having an objective assessment of learning (see Annex F).[3]
Primary beneficiaries are government officials from developing countries that are committed to taking a strategic approach to development. Beneficiaries include:
Public officials from national, sub-national and local governments;
Academics;
Non-governmental organizations;
Community-based organizations;
Private sector representatives; and
International organizations.
The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact of the CIFAL Global Network; to identify any problems or challenges that the CIFAL Global Network has encountered; and to issue recommendations, if needed, and lessons to be learned. The evaluation’s purpose is thus to provide findings and conclusions to meet accountability requirements, and recommendations and lessons learned to contribute to the CIFAL Global Network’s improvement and broader organizational learning. The evaluation should not only assess how well the CIFAL Global Network has performed, but also seek to answer the ‘why’ question by identifying factors contributing to (or inhibiting) successful delivery of the CIFAL Global Network’s results. More information can be found in the terms of references (Annex 1).
Responsibilities/description of professional services:
The consultant shall undertake a desk review based on the project related documents including analytical reports; collect data using appropriate tools, including surveys, interviews, focus groups; analyze data using quantitative and qualitative methods as appropriate to the evaluation questions; and submit deliverables in accordance with the below schedule.
Measurable outputs/deliverables/indicative schedule of deliverables:
Initial data collection, including desk review, stakeholder analysis
Evaluation design/ question matrix
Data collection and analysis, including survey(s), interviews, focus groups and field visits
Zero draft evaluation report
Draft evaluation report
Final evaluation report
Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results:
The performance indicators for evaluation of results for this assignment are the following:
Timely submission of deliverables;
Satisfactory quality of the evaluation report.
Reporting structure:
The evaluation will be undertaken by an international consultant under the overall responsibility of the Director, Planning, Performance Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit (PPME) within the Division for Strategic Planning and Performance, UNITAR.
Duration of contract:
The proposed timeframe for the evaluation spans from January to April 2019. While the assignment is administered on a lump-sum arrangement.
Qualifications:
MA degree or equivalent in international relations, political science, development or a related discipline. Training and/or experience in the area of capacity building would be a clear advantage.
At least 7 years of professional experience conducting evaluation in the field of capacity building, sustainable learning and sustainable development.
Technical knowledge of the focal area, including the evaluation of learning.
Field work experience in developing countries.
Excellent research and analytical skills, including experience in a variety of evaluation methods and approaches.
Excellent writing skills.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Cross-cultural awareness and flexibility.
Availability to travel.
Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English, French and/or Spanish. (The evaluaton report will be written in English, however.)
Remarks:
General conditions of contracts for the service of consultants apply. Before initiating the assignment, the consultant shall sign the Evaluation Consultant Code of Conduct and Agreement Form (part of Annex 1).
Interested applicants who have worked for the CIFAL Global Network or the peoject or who may have a conflict of interest are not eligible for the assignment.
Annexes:
Annex 1: Complete Terms of Reference
How to apply:
Send a letter of motivation and P11 form or Curriculum Vitae to evaluation@unitar.org with the following subject line: “Independent Evaluation of the Global Network of International Training Centres for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL Global Network)”
Due to the high number of expected applications, UNITAR will only contact shortlisted applicants.
[1] The CIFAL abbreviation is based on the translation of CIFAL in French and Spanish, respectively: Centre international de formation des Autorités et Leaders” and Centro Internacional de Formacion des Autoridades y Lideres.
[2] As recorded in the UNITAR Events Management System.
[3] Data extracted on 31.10.2018 for the timeframe 01.01.2010-31.10.2018.
http://www.unitar.org/evaluator-independent-evaluation-planning-performance-monitoring-and-evaluation-unit-ppme-0
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