Independent Evaluation of the “Strengthening Operational Capacities of Police Contributing Countries” project

Evaluation, training, capacity development, peacekeeping

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. UNITAR’s 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. 

UNITAR’s first Strategic Objective calls to “Promote peace and just and inclusive societies”. The sub-objective SO 1.1 “Support institutions and individuals to contribute meaningfully to sustainable peace” focuses broadly on tackling violence; addressing root causes of conflict, insecurity and injustice; and strengthening governance and institutions which are essential steps to creating a more sustainable future. 

Since 2016/2017 UNITAR has been implementing projects to strengthen capacities of Police Contributing Countries through three distinct phases of the project:

• “Sustaining Peace in Mali and the Sahel region through strengthening regional Peacekeeping training capacities” (2017-2019);
• “Strengthening Operational Capabilities of Francophone Police Contributing Countries” (2020); and, the current project phase
• “Strengthening Operational Capacities of Police Contributing Countries” (2021).

The project’s 2021 phase aims to support the implementation of the Strategic Guidance Framework for International Policing (SGF) by adopting an integrated approach to the training of Individual Police Officers (IPOs) and Formed Police Units (FPUs) prior to the deployment to the five high-risk missions (MINUSMA, MONUSCO, MINUSCA, UNAMID and UNMISS), that mainstream gender, human rights and protection priorities, while promoting a close cooperation with military and civilian components of the mission. More specifically, the project aims to contribute to improving the performance of UN peace operations in complex and high-risk environments by strengthening the operational readiness of African IPOs and FPUs deployed to the above-mentioned missions.

By leveraging on the experience acquired by UNITAR since 2017, the 2021 project aims to reach a broader number of Police Contributing Countries (PCCs), allowing for increased standardization of preparation prior to deployment (in line with UN standards), which – in turn – shall impact positively on operations in the field and eventually on policing functions at the national level. In addition, by exposing IPOs and members of FPUs to internationally agreed standards of policing, the project is expected to indirectly impact on the policing function at the national level, and promote an approach that is representative of, responsive and accountable to the communities. Finally, by ensuring that gender is mainstreamed throughout, the project will also contribute towards advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment within the operational capabilities of police peacekeepers.

The project is subject to an independent evaluation as per UNITAR Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and aims to complement an evaluation undertaken by the Foreign Ministry of Germany. The evaluation shall also build on an evaluation undertaken of an earlier phase of the project. Lessons from the evaluation shall not only inform possible future phases of the project but also be presented at the December 2021 Peacekeeping Ministerial at which PCCs take part.

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, likelihood of impact and likelihood of sustainability of the project; to identify any problems or challenges that the project has encountered; to issue recommendations, and to identify lessons to be learned on design, implementation and management. The evaluation’s purpose is thus to provide findings and conclusions to meet accountability requirements, and recommendations and lessons learned to contribute to the project’s improvement and broader organizational learning. The evaluation should not only assess how well the project has performed, but also seek to answer the ‘why ‘question by identifying factors contributing to (or inhibiting) successful delivery of the results.

While the evaluation will include an assessment of all six criteria, the evaluation’s emphasis will be placed on assessing the impact of the intervention, which may include an assessment of the impacts from the 2017-2019 (and 2020) phase(s) since implementation of the present 2021 phase will be ongoing at the time of data collection. In addition to serving as accountability function, the evaluation’s purpose is also to be as forward-looking as possible to inform decisions on the design and planning of possible future phases and focus areas.

More information can be found in the terms of references (Annex 1).

The consultant shall undertake a desk review based on the related documents including analytical reports; collect data using appropriate tools, including surveys, interviews and focus groups; analyze data using quantitative and qualitative methods as appropriate to the evaluation questions; and submit deliverables in accordance with the below schedule.

• Initial data collection, including desk review, stakeholder analysis, synthesis evaluation
• Evaluation design/ question matrix
• Data collection and analysis, including survey(s), interviews, focus groups
• Zero draft evaluation
• Draft evaluation
• Final evaluation
• Presentation of findings

Deliverables:

1. Deliverable: Evaluation design/question matrix

• From: Evaluator
• To: Evaluation manager
• Deadline*: 06 September 2021

2. Deliverable: Comments on evaluation design/question matrix

• From: Evaluation manager
• To: Evaluator
• Deadline*: 13 September 2021

3. Deliverable: Zero draft report

• From: Evaluator
• To: Evaluation manager
• Deadline*: 29 October 2021

4. Deliverable: Comments on zero draft

• From: Evaluation manager
• To: Evaluator
• Deadline*: 12 November 2021

5. Deliverable: Draft report

• From: Evaluator
• To: Evaluation manager
• Deadline*: 29 November 2021

6. Deliverable: Comments on draft report

• From: Project Management
• To: Evaluation manager
• Deadline*: 05 December 2021

7. Deliverable: Final report

• From: Evaluator
• To: Evaluation manager
• Deadline*: 12 December 2021

8. Deliverable: Presentation of the evaluation findings, recommendations and lessons learned

• From: Evaluator/evaluation manager
• To: Project Management
• Deadline*: 12 December 2021

*To be adjusted depending on the contract signature and to be agreed upon with the Evaluation Manager.

The performance indicators for evaluation of results for this assignment are the following:

• Timely submission of deliverables;
• Satisfactory quality of the evaluation report.

The evaluation will be undertaken by an international consultant under the overall responsibility of the Manager, Planning, Performance Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit (PPME), UNITAR.

Qualifications:

• MA degree or equivalent in  international relations, peace studies or a related discipline. Knowledge of and experience in training design and delivery, including training of trainers approaches and in areas related to peacekeeping and police training. 
• At least 7 years of professional experience conducting evaluation in the field of capacity building. Knowledge of United Nations Norms and Standards for Evaluation.
• Technical knowledge of the focal area including the evaluation of peacekeeping related topics, as well as contemporary developments in multilateral efforts to develop policing capacities in broader peacekeeping missions.
• Field work experience in Africa.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, including experience in a variety of evaluation methods and approaches. Experience in evaluation using Kirkpatrick method is an advantage.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Cross-cultural awareness and flexibility.
• Availability to travel.

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written French and English.