Consultant: International Expert for Final Evaluation Project - Removal of barriers for energy efficiency in Croatia

UNDP/GEF Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) policy

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) policy at the project level in UNDP/GEF has four objectives: i) to monitor and evaluate results and impacts; ii) to provide a basis for decision making on necessary amendments and improvements; iii) to promote accountability for resource use; and iv) to document, provide feedback on, and disseminate lessons learned. A mix of tools is used to ensure effective project M&E. These might be applied continuously throughout the lifetime of the project, e.g. periodic monitoring of indicators, or as specific time-bound exercises such as mid-term reviews, audit reports and final evaluations.

In accordance with UNDP/GEF M&E policies and procedures, all regular and medium-sized projects supported by the GEF should undergo a final evaluation upon completion of implementation. In addition to providing an independent in-depth review of implementation progress, this type of evaluation is responsive to GEF Council decisions on transparency and better access of information during implementation.

The final evaluation is intended to assess the relevance, performance, management arrangements and success of the project. It looks at impact and sustainability of results, including the contribution to capacity development and the achievement of global environmental goals. It also identifies/documents lessons learned and makes recommendations that project partners and stakeholders might use to improve the design and implementation of other related projects and programs.

The project objectives and its context within the Croatia

In December 2004, the Government of Croatia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a project aimed to develop an active and sustainable market for energy efficiency products and services.

The main project objective is to remove the key barriers to the implementation of economically feasible energy efficiency technologies and measures in the residential and service sectors in Croatia, thereby reducing their energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Since the Energy efficiency (EE) market in Croatia is underdeveloped with almost non-existing demand for EE products and services, the Project is focusing on transforming the EE market through a mix of interventions and instruments targeting both supply and demand side of the market, and through continuous public information, awareness and social marketing activities.

 

The initial focus of the project was on the residential and service sectors with following instruments: Free energy audits (FEAs), Project Development Fund (PDF), Partial financial guarantees fund (PGF), Technical Assistance, and Information promotion campaign.

 

Building on the excellent results of the pilot project of introducing Energy Management (EM) in the City of Sisak, which was implemented within the EE Project; and in order to support national development priorities, as defined in Energy Strategy for Republic of Croatia and in the national Programme for Efficient Use of Energy, the Project: “Introducing Energy Management to Cities and Counties” (SGE) and the Program “House in Order” (HIO), endorsed by the Government of Croatia, have been developed. Both SGE and HiO are components of the existing project "Removing barriers to energy efficiency in Croatia", supported both financially and institutionally by the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship and Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund of Croatia. Their aim is to introduce EM on national, regional and local level, with a range of related projects in building sector

 

Objectives of the final evaluation

This Final Evaluation is initiated by the UNDP Croatia as the Implementation Agency for this project.

The objective of the Evaluation is to assess the achievement of project’s objective, the affecting factors, the broader project impact and the contribution to the general goal/strategy, and the project partnership strategy. It also provides the basis for learning and accountability for managers and stakeholders.

 

The report will have to provide to the GEF Secretariat complete and convincing evidence to support its findings/ratings.

The Evaluation Report will present assessment of the support model applied in the project, its implications for the long-term impact and sustainability of the project results, recommendations and lessons of broader applicability for follow-up and future support of UNDP and/or the Government, highlighting the best and worst practices in addressing issues relating to the evaluation scope.

  

Products expected from the evaluation

The key product expected from this Final evaluation is a comprehensive analytical report in English that should, at least, include the following contents:

 Under the following link please see the full Terms of references.

The evaluator selected should not have participated in the project preparation and/or implementation and should not have conflict of interest with project related activities.

 

The consultants shall have prior experience in evaluating similar projects. Former cooperation with GEF is an advantage.

 

Key tasks:

Candidate for the position will perform the following tasks:

Ideally, the candidate for the position is expected:

Individual consultants are invited to submit applications together with their CV for these positions. The evaluator must be independent from both the policy-making process and the delivery and management of assistance. Therefore applications will not be considered from consultants who have had any direct involvement with the design or implementation of the project. This may apply equally to consultants who are associated with organizations, universities or entities that are, or have been, involved in the national policy-making process and/or delivery of the project. Any previous association with such entities must be disclosed in the application. If selected, failure to make the above disclosures will be considered just grounds for immediate contract termination, without recompense. In such circumstances, all notes, reports and other documentation produced by the evaluator will be retained by UNDP.

 

 

APPLICATION:

 

Applicants are invited to thoroughly review the Evaluation Criteria and include all information relevant to evaluation of the advertised position within their Curriculum Vitae or their Application Letter. The Application Letter should contain a brief concept (no more than 3 pages) that address two issues related to expected performance:

 

Methodology

 

This section should demonstrate the Applicant’s responsiveness to the TOR by identifying the specific components (building on specification in the TOR), and providing a description of the essential performance.

Work plan – including time schedule and milestones for fulfilment of the tasks defined by the TOR, have to be presented. Thad includes a work breakdown by activities, travel and sight visit schedule.

 

Only long-listed candidates will be contacted.

 

In order to be long-listed and asked for an interview, the candidate is expected to have minimum requirements:

Interviews will be conducted via telephone.