Consultant: To Manage Consolidation of Data from Project Implementation Reviews

Job Description

CONSULTANT: TO MANAGE CONSOLIDATION OF DATA FROM PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION REVIEWS
Location : New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Application Deadline :**07-Sep-08**

Type of Contract :Other
Languages Required : English
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)03-Nov-2008
Duration of Initial Contract :one month

Background

UNDP Environment and Energy Group is required to submit an Annual Monitoring Report of the UNDP GEF-funded projects to the GEF Secretariat that includes an aggregated analysis of all ongoing full-sized and medium-sized projects that have been under implementation for at least one year. A detailed monitoring report template (APR/PIR) has been circulated to 280 projects around the world. The consolidated global monitoring report will include a portfolio overview, an analysis of contributions toward focal area strategic priorities, a risk assessment, an assessment of factors affecting projects, as well as a number of graphs and tables. A detailed excel file with this information has also been requested by GEF.

The preparation of this report requires quantitative data extraction from individual project implementation reviews and/or consolidation of data entered into excel worksheets and then the aggregation of this at the global level.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1) Extract the following information from the APR/PIRs and/or consolidate this data from various excel files:

* GEF ID
* PIMS #
* ATLAS#
* Focal Area
* Region
* Country
* Project Title
* Start Date (Effectiveness) (m/d/yyyy)
* Intended Closing Date (m/d/yyyy)
* Actual / Expected Closing Date
* Project Size
* PDF Funding (if any) US$ m
* GEF Grant US$ m
* Total GEF Grant (US$ m)
* Proposed Co-financing (US$ m)
* Total Project Cost ($m)
* Overall objective rating
* Overall implementation rating
* Number of critical risks
* Whether the project strategy has been adjusted
* Total GEF disbursement as of June 30, 2008 ($m)
* Comments (Pending, MTE, FEV, Cancelled Operationally Completed, etc.)

2) Determine and/or check the risk rating of each project using a pre-defined formula. Enter this into an excel file with the data under point 2) above.

3) In a separate excel file, extract the implementation oversight data on pages 2 and 3 of the PIR. Remove these pages from the APR/PIR and save under a separate title in PDF format for onward transmission to GEFSEC.

4) Aggregate the contributions of the UNDP-GEF portfolio toward focal area strategic priorities, if not already done.

5) Conduct rigorous analysis of the growth and composition, commitments and disbursements of the PIR portfolio, assess ratings trends, and report on the elapsed project processing time at different stages of the project cycle.

6) Compile the following lists:

* Projects that completed a 2008 APR/PIR
* Cancelled projects with dates of cancellation and an explanation for the cause of cancellation.
* Completed projects (operationally or finally closed)
* Projects with a mid-term reviews, evaluation reports and/or implementation completion reports underway as of June 30, 2007, or planned through June 2008.

7) Produce graphs and tables that capture key monitoring data and trends at a global level and by focal area for use in focal are global AMR reports.

Competencies

Communication: The consultant should be able to communicate effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience in a simple and concise manner.

Professionalism: The consultant should be capable of working in a high pressure environment with sharp and frequent deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously; Able to handle a large volume of data and reports accurately and thoroughly, with great attention to detail; Exercise the highest level of responsibility and be able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.

Teamwork: The consultant should work well in a team to advance the priorities of EEG and BDP as a whole; Projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks; Focuses on results for the client; and welcomes constructive feedback.

Technical Skills: The consultant should be able to draft and edit documents in English; French and/or Spanish is an asset; Have excellent computer skills.

Knowledge Management and Learning: The consultant should willingly share knowledge and experience and make contributions to UNDP practice areas (e.g., documented knowledge, community of practice building initiatives); actively develop substantive understanding and experience in one or more knowledge areas, including process and/or technical knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

* Master’s degree in a biophysical or social science, or a related field, requiring strong quantitative analytic skills.
* At least 6 years of professional experience;
* Outstanding research, analytical and data management skills;
* Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel;
* Proactive, efficient, accurate and composed even in a fast-paced environment.
* Excellent computer skills, including IT. Experience with UNDP PIMS is an asset.
* Knowledge of UNDP programming arrangements and administrative procedures preferred.
* Excellent English language skills, including excellent drafting skills.
* Good working knowledge of another official UN language desirable.

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