National Expert to conduct the interim project evaluation

Background:

The OSCE Presence in Albania (hereinafter “the Presence”) is implementing the extra-budgetary project “Enhancing environmental governance and security in Albania”, with extra-budgetary funding by the Governments of Norway, France and Italy. The project aims at: (i) strengthening institutional and operational framework at the central and local level: (ii) enhancing technical capacities, skills and resources of law enforcement authorities, and (iii) increasing wider society commitment toward environmental governance and security. 

The project commenced implementation in August 2022 and will terminate in December 2024. Further, the project has been developed and is being implemented in close collaboration with host authorities, especially the Ministry of Interior, School of Magistrates, Prosecution Office, and the subordinate beneficiary agencies, as well as media and NGOs. 

At this stage of project implementation, the Presence requires the services of one national experienced consultant to conduct an interim project evaluation for the time period August 2022 – February 2023. The evaluation will be structured and designed as per OSCE evaluation policies and procedures, which will be made available to the expert. 

Up to this point, the project has undertaken a part of activities as foreseen in the project action plan, such as undertaking a comprehensive baseline study to assess legal and institutional capacities dealing with environmental crimes; developing a curriculum focused on environmental legislation for the School of Magistrate; a public survey to measure public knowledge and awareness on environmental governance and security and a training need assessment for institutional dealing with environmental crimes. Other current on-going activities will be completed within the indicated evaluation period, including the facilitation of an international peer-exchange visit for national authorities in an EU country and the development of training manuals for issues identified through training manuals. 

The expert will be expected to focus the interim evaluation report on the efficiency of the actions carried out during the indicated evaluation period and on the achieved results (output and outcome), etc. 

Also, the report will feature lessons learnt, conclusions and recommendations to facilitate the remaining project implementation period. The expert shall identify any potential changes and measures 

Objective of Assignment: 
The Presence seeks to engage the services of a national expert experienced and qualified to conduct an interim project evaluation by reviewing project documents, collecting and elaborating inputs from project beneficiaries, assessing project components and its relevance in accordance with the national context, and provide recommendations and measures for the remaining project implementation period. 

Duration of Assignment:
This consultancy is envisaged for the period from December 2023 to March 2024.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of and in direct consultations with the OSCE Project Manager, the expert will be required to implement the following tasks:

Task 1: Conduct desk review of the project documents and outputs provided by the project. 
The expert will go through the project documents and outputs developed in the frame of the project. Project documents will support the expert to understand the achieved results and gaps encountered throughout the first half of project implementation. Project documents will be Logical framework, overview of project activities and background, and other project supporting documents generated by project activities, such as list of participants, developed deliverables, stakeholders involved, media activities, etc. This task shall be finalized within 1 weeks after the contract signature.

Task 2: Develop the evaluation methodology and time-line. The expert shall design the evaluation methodology, which will include the proposed timeline, preliminary focus and outline of the evaluation report, identified institutions to be interviews, evaluation and semi-structured questions, list of needed project documents, background of national context regrading issues covered by the project. The methodology will be cleared and confirmed with the OSCE Project Manager. This task will be completed within 2 weeks after the contract signature.

Task 3: Conduct interviews with main project beneficiaries, stakeholders and site-visits. The expert will conduct one-to-one interviews with project beneficiaries and stakeholders’ representatives. The list of beneficiaries will be defined on the methodology (inception report) and will be cleared by the OSCE Project Manager. The expert will prepare semi-structured questions prior to the meeting, tailored for the institution and their engagement in the project. Minutes of meeting for each interview shall be shared with the OSCE Project Manager and will be part of the evaluation report. Meetings will be facilitated by the OSCE. This task shall be finalized within January 2024. 

Task 4: Prepare first draft of the interim evaluation report of the project “To enhance environmental
governance and security in Albania” and submit it to the recruiting Department for comments and
feedback, within 15 February 2024

Task 5: Draft the final interim evaluation report of the project “To enhance environmental governance
and security in Albania”, incorporating initial comments from the recruiting Department. The final
evaluation report should have a minimum length of 15-20 A4 pages, excluding annexes. Based on
quantitative and qualitative information collected through desk research, in-depth interviews and
evaluation questionnaires targeting stakeholders, the project team, main beneficiaries, and experts
engaged, the report should be able to provide answers to each of the key evaluation questions as listed
above.

Deliverables:
D.1 Inception report (methodology, questionnaire, timeline, final report outline, etc) provided under Task 1 and 2    15 January 2024
D.2 First draft of the final interim evaluation report as per specification under Task 3 and 4    1 February 2024
D.3 Final interim evaluation report of the project as per specification under Task 5    15 February 2024

Necessary Qualifications:

•    Master of Science degree and relevant demonstrated regional consulting experience in environmental economics, economic studies;
•    Minimum 7 years of relevant experience. 
•    Substantive experience in reviewing and evaluating similar technical assistance projects, preferably those involving OSCE or other United Nations       development agencies and/or other major donors;
•    Excellent English writing and communication skills; 
•    Understanding of governance, political, economic and institutional issues associated with the environmental institutions;

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization. 

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.