Consultant to undertake an interim evaluation of the project Stronger Democratic Institutions in Eastern Partnership Countries (SSA)

Background:

The “Stronger Democratic Institutions in Eastern Partnership Countries: an ODIHR project supported and funded by the EU”, as part of and financed through the EU EMPOWER programme and has the objective to support democratic institutions and processes in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus1, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine - Eastern Partnership Countries, hereinafter EaP partner countries) to be more inclusive, accountable, resilient, transparent, human rights and rule of law compliant2. 

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has developed and offers a comprehensive package of tools to bolster systems of democratic governance, based on the respect of rule of law and human rights, increase public trust in institutions, encourage more representative government, inclusive and participatory political and decision-making processes, all of which contributes to more effective responses to ongoing crises and builds resilience to future ones. ODIHR recommendations³, as set out in published legal opinions, legislative assessments, monitoring reports and thematic guidelines, serve as benchmarks to assess and encourage progress.

Within the framework of this project, EaP partner countries are offered assistance to benefit from ODIHR’s full array of tools. These are provided in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate and established methodology, and in synergy with EU priorities in the region. This allows States to implement more effective and efficient policies, as well as evaluate progress towards accountable and inclusive democratic institutions, stronger public integrity systems, human rights compliant legal frameworks, political party regulation, as well as participation of historically underrepresented groups in political life and decision-making.

Activities envisaged under the project, which will be implemented from January 2024 until December 2027, include technical assistance in:

• Improving mechanisms of parliamentary, civil society and judicial oversight; 

• Enhancing transparency and integrity of the institutions, through adopting, improving or expanding codes of ethical conduct;

• Supporting parliaments to strengthen their consultation and collaboration with civil society, in order to safeguard principles of democratic law making and increase public trust in elected institutions; 

• Advancing political participation of historically underrepresented groups such as women, youth and persons with disabilities in national parliaments and political parties in order to enhance political pluralism;

• Providing expert advice on the compliance of legal frameworks for parliamentary procedures and law-making with international standards, providing concrete recommendations for improvement; offering tailor-made assistance to legislators and policy makers to enhance the openness, transparency, effectiveness, inclusiveness and accountability of law-making processes; 

• Providing a platform for discussing what efforts States and civil society are taking to address ODIHR election recommendations, through the mapping of activities and research to identify areas where further assistance would help promote the implementation of recommendations.

• Providing a platform for dialogue and offering assistance to improve regulatory framework of associations (CSOs and political parties); 

• Offering capacity building initiatives for state oversight agencies as well as civil society; organizing regional events to exchange good practices on relevant topics (parliamentary oversight, party regulations and inclusiveness, judicial oversight and independence, etc.).
  

As implementation is entering the interim period ODIHR will conduct an evaluation process to inform future project decision making including potential corrective measures, support risk management and corresponding mitigation processes. The evaluation highlights ODIHR’s efforts in ensuring transparency and accountability as a part of its results-based management efforts.

¹ In the implementation of activities, it will be taken into consideration that the EU has stopped engaging with official representatives of Belarus public bodies and state-owned enterprises further to the Council Conclusions of 12 October 2020 and the European Council Conclusions of February 2022.

² ‘Eastern Neighbourhood Region’ and ‘Eastern Partnership’ are not OSCE terms. However, within the scope of this project, they are used to describe the above-mentioned countries, covered by the EU’s Eastern Partnership policy.

³ In accordance with ODIHR methodology, as a general rule, activities in EaP partner countries are to be put on hold during ongoing election observation activities.

Objective of Assignment: 

The interim evaluation will provide an independent, structured assessment of the project’s progress to date and its potential to achieve intended results. Specifically, the evaluation will:

(i) Identify lessons learned and good practices emerging from implementation that can inform adaptive management of ongoing activities and guide the design and implementation of future interventions within the project’s scope;

(ii) Assess the project’s emerging impact and outcomes, examining the extent to which results are being achieved, as well as identifying internal and external factors—including political, institutional, and operational conditions—that are either enabling or constraining the delivery of outputs and outcomes; and

(iii) Inform evidence-based adjustments, where necessary, at the output and activity levels, and provide recommendations to strengthen future monitoring, evaluation, and learning efforts for the remainder of the implementation period.

The interim evaluation will employ a mixed-methods, participatory approach and will consist of the following key elements:

-    Desk review of relevant project documentation, including project design documents, work plans, monitoring data, progress reports, evaluation-related materials, and other relevant internal or external studies;
-    An in-person, one-day participatory workshop with internal stakeholders to validate preliminary findings, reflect on implementation experience, and facilitate collective learning;
-    Semi-structured interviews with a selected sample of internal and external stakeholders to gather qualitative insights on project performance, relevance, and early results; and
-    Preparation of an interim evaluation report synthesizing findings, analysis, conclusions, and actionable recommendations, which will be submitted in draft and final form in accordance with agreed timelines.

The consultant will be responsible for designing the evaluation framework, developing the workshop agenda, and preparing appropriate data collection tools to address the evaluation objectives. The evaluation will be guided by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) evaluation criteria, with a primary focus on: effectiveness and emerging impact, and relevance, coherence, and added value of the project interventions.

The interim evaluation will adopt a summative and forward-looking perspective, emphasizing learning and improvement. It will take into account the intergovernmental mandate of ODIHR and the political and administrative context in which the project is implemented, ensuring that findings and recommendations are realistic, actionable, and context-sensitive.

The evaluation must be carried out with full consideration of the data protection and confidentiality of all persons participating in the evaluation process. Further, the consultant is required to exercise utmost discretion and will not discuss the information he/she acquires, while performing the tasks described in this Terms of Reference with any third-parties.  

Duration of Assignment:

30 days

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Task 1

Inception phase:

- Introductory calls and planning with relevant ODIHR/project staff
- Review and analysis of project documents and other relevant subject matter documents provided by ODIHR 
- Evaluation stakeholder identification
- Development of Inception Package 

10 working days

Task 2

Data collection and analysis phase:

- Facilitation of the one-day internal stakeholder workshop
- Completion of semi-structured interviews with select internal/external stakeholders
- Analysis of responses and identification of lessons learned and potential recommendations to ODIHR

10 working days

Task 3

Report writing phase:

- First drafting of report and submission to ODIHR (discussion on feedback and agreement of adjustments)
- Submission of second draft (discussion on feedback and agreement of adjustments)
- Submission of Final Report including annexes

10 working days

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, human rights, or other relevant disciplines. A combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Extensive experience (minimum 10 years) in designing and implementing/conducting evaluations of projects implemented at the international level, preferably projects related to democratization, rule of law and human rights.

• Experience in facilitating interactive workshops, focus groups with the purpose of data collection against as set of objectives.

• Comprehensive understanding of gender mainstreaming in projects and experience in applying gender mainstreaming in evaluation methodology. 

• Knowledge of democratization topics including rule of law, good governance, elections and political participation. 

• Professional fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Ability and professional experience of inter-cultural environments and professional conduct with significant political tact, understanding political and contextual sensitivities. 

• Experience with the OSCE would be an advantage.

• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.
  

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.