National Consultant for Evaluation of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Timor-Leste 2021-2025

20 days over 5 months period from 1 May 2024 - 30 September 2024.

The full term of reference of evaluation of UNSDCF Timor-Leste 2021-2025 include: • Evaluation criteria and questions • Evaluation approach and methodology • Management arrangements • Evaluation process and timeline • Expected evaluation deliverables. INTRODUCTION The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Timor- Leste 2021-2025 is the result of joint efforts by the Government of Timor-Leste and the UN System to establish a strategic programme framework to support national development priorities as outlined by the Government of Timor-Leste in the Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030. In response to demands from stakeholders for more strategic, transformative, and integrated UN support, UN Timor-Leste has developed the UNSDCF 2021–2025 through a consultative and participatory process involving the Government, civil society, and development partners. Hence, the UNSDCF is a centerpiece of the UN development system reform in Timor-Leste. It represents UN Timor-Leste's collective value proposition to support and accelerate the country's progress towards achieving the SDGs and its national development priorities. The UNSDCF is structured along the four strategic development sectors defined in the Timor- Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030. The four sectors are: (1) Social Capital (2) Infrastructure Development (3) Economic Development and (4) Governance and Institutional TOR: 24-Resident Coordinator System-230781-Consultant Page 2 of 10 Development. Aligned with these four sectors, six strategic priorities have been established to respond to the evolving needs within each sector, based on the vision of the Government of Timor-Leste and the comparative advantage of the UN System. The six strategic priorities of the UNSDCF 2021-2025 are: (1) Nutrition, food security, and agricultural productivity (2) sustainable economic opportunities and decent work (3) increased access to quality formal and innovative learning pathways (4) primary health care and strengthened social protection (5) accessible, accountable and gender-responsive governance systems, institutions, and services (6) manage natural resources and achieve enhanced resilience. As a nationally owned instrument for planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of UN activities in Timor-Leste, the UNSDCF is founded on the spirit of continued strong partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste as well as with civil society, academia, the private sector, and other development partners. In line with the UNSDCF evaluation guidelines, to ensure accountability, support learning, and inform the development and implementation of the new cycle of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) Timor-Leste decided to commission the UNSDCF evaluation, with the planning at the end of 2023 and continue with the inception through the final report by the third quarter of 2024. The exercise will adhere to and implement UNEG Norms and Standards and will be conducted by an independent evaluation team in an inclusive manner and promote national ownership through the meaningful engagement of relevant national partners throughout the evaluation process. This document presents the purpose, objectives, and scope of the evaluation, proposed approach, and methodological options for a team composed of a team leader and an additional team member (national), who will be conducting the evaluation under the supervision and guidance of the evaluation manager, the evaluation management team, Regional and DCO HQ. The UN in Timor-Leste is therefore looking for an evaluation team with deep commitment and a strong background in evaluation of development effectiveness to undertake the evaluation. Country Context Timor-Leste became the 191st member state of the United Nations in 2002, and since its independence 21 years ago, Timor-Leste has demonstrated a high degree of stability. However, challenges remain, notably, high unemployment, land right issues, economic development, widening inequality, persistent poverty, perceived corruption, and an oil-dependent economy. These challenges particularly affect groups within the population living in rural areas, women, youth, persons with disabilities, among others marginalized groups. The economy in Timor-Leste is recovering post-COVID, with public spending at a historic high. The country continues to face challenges around a heavy reliance on petroleum revenue, demanding careful fiscal management. Inflation rates are driven by food and oil prices. Labor force participation remains low, especially in the private sector. Youth face educational and TOR: 24-Resident Coordinator System-230781-Consultant Page 3 of 10 employment challenges. Informal employment remains common, especially for women. Private sector growth is hindered by poor data, regulations, and limited credit access. Strengthening human capital and the private sector is key to sustainable growth. Policies exist for economic development but face serious challenges in implementation. Implications include investments in export-oriented industries, monitoring labor and social protection, and strengthening rural development. COVID-19 left heavy impacts on the health sector of the country, with 22,951 cases and 133 deaths by June 2022. Health services, especially primary care, experienced disruptions. The country responded by expanding healthcare, setting up intensive care unit (ICU) beds, and boosting testing capacity. Immunization efforts saw success, with over 1.9 million COVID-19 doses administered. Severe food insecurity and malnutrition continue in the country, with 36% facing chronic food insecurity, and 22% acute insecurity. Climate forecasts indicate prolonged below-average rainfall due to El Niño, threatening agriculture. Opportunities exist, including Government prioritization of food security, but risks loom large. These include compounding impacts of El Niño, floods, and the global food price crisis. Timor-Leste's heavy reliance on food imports, particularly rice, is concerning, with prices soaring in 2023. These challenges directly impact nutrition, exacerbating stunting and wasting in children and limiting human capital development. Inadequate food control mechanisms escalate the crisis. Scaled investment in nutrition and food security plans, reinforced laws, streamlined information systems, and food product regulation are vital steps towards a more food-secure country. Strengthening school feeding programs and establishing strategic grain reserves are crucial. The country experienced devastating floods and landslides in April 2021, causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture. Timor-Leste is particularly sensitive to climate change effects and El Niño events, which may lead to shifts in rainfall patterns, increased risk of landslides, and heightened flooding intensity. Additionally, rising sea levels are projected to affect 300 kilometre of the country's coastline, resulting in coastal erosion, infrastructure damage, and forced displacement of coastal communities. Timor-Leste has taken steps to enhance its resilience, including establishing disaster response agencies and developing climate change laws and plans. Legal frameworks for child protection and social impact have been finalized, along with laws pertaining to decentralization and judicial organization. The revised Criminal Procedure Law prioritizes the protection of victims of gender-based violence. Notably, in early 2023, Timor- Leste ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a significant step towards furthering inclusivity. National Action Plans have been instituted to address genderbased violence and to increase women's participation in peace processes. Additionally, the National Mediation Network aims to enhance access to justice for women and vulnerable groups. Key policy messages emphasize the importance of a Human Rights Based Approach for inclusive development, continued focus on migrant rights based on data-driven strategies, and the need for inclusive National Planning and Budgeting aligned with national priorities. The TOR: 24-Resident Coordinator System-230781-Consultant Page 4 of 10 call for greater decentralization remains a priority for future progress in the country. Despite a robust legal framework, gender discrimination persists due to cultural norms. The society remains patriarchal, with women primarily in traditional domestic roles. Economic and social empowerment for women remains limited, leading to informal employment and heightened poverty risk. While progress in women's participation is noted, leadership roles are still underrepresented. While lacking recent data updates, gender-based violence is deemed prevalent, and social protection schemes require further strengthening. Continued investment and resource allocation are crucial for advancing gender equality. The country has recently established legal frameworks and policies for disability inclusion, including joining the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in January 2023. However, stigma persists, and implementation of plans is slow due to limited resources. Government services face challenges in various sectors, with accessibility issues and lack of training being prominent. The lack of reliable data on disabilities hinders effective programming. Gender, inequality, and limited participation of marginalized groups further affect progress. Women and girls with disabilities face heightened risks, and psychosocial and intellectual disabilities remain stigmatized. Participation of people with disabilities varies depending on location. For youth in the country, the Government launched the Youth Action Plan in 2023, emphasizing education, employability, and entrepreneurship for youth development. The 2023 budget allocates USD 58 million, or 2.68% of the total budget, towards youth-related initiatives. However, challenges persist, encompassing resource gaps, insufficient vocational training opportunities, a scarcity of job openings, digital disparities, concerns regarding the quality of education, coordination difficulties, gender inequality, cultural barriers, and psychosocial hurdles. The President declared preschool education as one of his priorities, with a 230% budget increase in 2023 compared to the previous year. It also joined the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and committed to the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) assessment; a significant policy moves. UNSDCF Highlights In support to country's priorities articulated in the Timor-Leste SDP 2011-2030 and in response to the demands from the stakeholders for more strategic, transformative, and integrated UN support, UN Timor-Leste has developed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025 through a consultative and participatory process involving the Government, civil society, academia, the private sector, and other development partners. Six strategic priorities have been identified for the UN's work in the country through the UNSDCF 2021-2025. To operationalize the UNSDCF, annual Joint Work Plans (JWPs) will be established, capturing TOR: 24-Resident Coordinator System-230781-Consultant Page 5 of 10 collaborative and individual contributions. The JWP includes a funding framework outlining available and mobilization-needed resources. UN Country Results Report is an annual presentation to the Government, providing a comprehensive overview of the UN Country Team's (UNCT) collective achievements aligned with the UNSDCF. Prepared at the beginning of the year for the preceding year, it assesses financial performance, reviews the budget against actuals, and consolidates joint UN efforts in advocacy, leadership, communications, and operations. Additionally, it highlights new risks, opportunities, challenges, and assumptions related to UNSDCF outcomes. Outcome 1: Nutrition, food security and sustainable agriculture "By 2025, Nutrition, food security and agricultural productivity have improved for all, irrespective of the individual ability, gender, age, socio-economic status and geographical location." Intended Development Results By strengthening health interventions to address all forms of malnutrition and by increasing the dietary diversity of women of reproductive age and children under 5, the UNSDCF will seek to break the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition. This will be achieved through improved quality of nutrition, water and sanitation services, and hygiene practices, creating an enabling environment for faster development of cognitive capacities needed at early childhood stage and for improved health and education outcomes of the general population, in particular of children, adolescents and pregnant women. Focusing on increasing and diversifying the production and productivity of smallholder farmers, fishers and agri-food producers, through climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices , the UNSDCF will support to increase the food security and resilience to shocks, in particular for female farmers and rural youth, reduce poverty including through social protection programmes, while protecting land and ocean resources. The capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and other relevant public and private institutions will be strengthened to explore ways to assure customary and formal tenure of smallholder male and female farmers. Outcome 2: Sustainable economic opportunities and decent work for all "By 2025, people throughout Timor-Leste in all their diversity, especially women and youth, benefit from sustainable economic opportunities and decent work" Intended Development Results Focusing on the policies, institutional framework, incentives, and investments needed for transforming the economy and to develop sustainable pathways, the UNSDCF will contribute to diversifying the economy, creating decent jobs, and include the marginalized active population, in particular youth and women, in a sustainable and just economy. Outcome 3: Access to quality education and life-long learning outcomes and skills TOR: 24-Resident Coordinator System-230781-Consultant Page 6 of 10 "By 2025, all people of Timor-Leste, in particular excluded and disadvantaged groups, have increased access to quality formal and innovative learning pathways (from early childhood though lifelong learning) and acquire foundational, transferable, digital and job-specific skills" Intended Development Results By promoting early childhood education and supporting capacities to develop access to early childhood development, the UNSDCF will support Timor-Leste in laying the foundations for the child's learning and well-being. Furthermore, by increasing access to inclusive, equitable and quality basic and secondary education and its completion, creating innovative pathways for learning, and developing foundational, transferable, digital and job-specific skills, the UNSDCF will seek to the achieve greater learning outcomes for all, including those excluded from the traditional education system. Accelerated progress in this direction will result in a balanced set of capabilities for children to become economically productive, develop sustainable livelihoods, contribute to peaceful and democratic societies, enhance individual well-being, transform gender norms and relationships and reduce poverty and inequalities. Outcome 4: Quality health care and well-being "By 2025, the people of Timor-Leste increasingly demand and have access to genderresponsive, equitable, high quality, resilient and inclusive Primary Health Care and strengthened social protection, including in time of emergencies". Intended Development Results The UNSDCF will support greater and equitable access to Primary Health Care services with a view to help Timor-Leste to achieve universal health coverage, including in time of emergency, resulting in improved outcomes for health including sexual and reproductive health, continued reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality, eradication of tuberculosis, and reduction of Non- Communicable Diseases. Under this priority, the UNSDCF will also seek to increase health financing to support the development and retention of a trained health workforce, improve access to essential medicine and reduce the cost of health services and the financial hardship from out-of-pocket expenditures, including through social protection programmes and services. Outcome 5: Accountable, Inclusive and Participatory Governance and Quality Public Services "By 2025, the people of Timor-Leste, especially the most excluded are empowered to claim their rights, including freedom from violence, through accessible and accountable and gender responsive governance systems, institutions and services at national and subnational levels" Intended Development Results To ensure transparent, inclusive, accountable and gender-responsive governance systems focused on people's rights and needs, the UNSDCF will support the consolidation of public institutions and increasing people's democratic participation, particularly those excluded or under-represented such as the rural poor, women, children and migrants. The intended result is not only to give access to the rule of law and public services to all people of Timor-Leste, TOR: 24-Resident Coordinator System-230781-Consultant Page 7 of 10 however, also to contribute to social cohesion and end violence against women and children. Outcome 6: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and resilience to Climate change "By 2025, national and sub-national institutions and communities (particularly at-risk populations including women and children) in Timor-Leste are better able to manage natural resources and achieve enhanced resilience to impacts of climate change, natural and humaninduced hazards, and environmental degradation, inclusively and sustainably." Intended Development Results The UNSDCF aims to ensure the sustainability of development progress in Timor-Leste by strengthening the ability of its institutions and communities to adapt to climate change and manage the risks of natural disasters, to mitigate their impacts on people's lives, livelihoods, services, and infrastructures, while preserving its natural resources. The overall estimated budget to achieve the UNSDCF 2021-2025 is approximately $261 million. It was projected at the start of the implementation in 2020 that about $115 million (44 percent) would be available, leaving $145 million (56 percent) to be mobilized throughout the UNSDCF implementation. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE The overall purpose of the UNSDCF evaluation are: Promote greater learning and operational improvement. The evaluation will provide important information for strengthening programming and results at the country level, specifically informing the planning and decision-making for the next CF programme cycle and for improving UN coordination at the country level. The UNCT, host government and other CF stakeholders can learn from the process of documenting good practices and lessons learned, which can then be shared with DCO and used for the benefit of other countries. Support greater accountability of the UNCT to CF stakeholders. By objectively providing evidence of results achieved within the framework of the CF and assessing the effectiveness of the strategies and interventions used, the evaluation will enable the various stakeholders in the CF process, including national counterparts and donors, to hold the UNCT and other parties accountable for fulfilling their roles and commitments The objectives of the evaluation are to: Assess the contribution of the CF to national development results through evidence-based judgements using evaluation criteria (accountability). Identify factors that have affected the CF's contribution; answer the question of why the performance is as it is; and explaining the enabling factors and bottlenecks (learning). Reach conclusions concerning the UN's contribution across the scope being examined. Provide actionable recommendations for improving the CF's contribution, especially for incorporation into the new CF programming cycle. These recommendations should be logically linked to the conclusions and findings of the evaluation and should draw upon lessons learned TOR: 24-Resident Coordinator System-230781-Consultant Page 8 of 10 identified through the evaluation. SCOPE The UNSDCF evaluation will look at the UNSDCF 2021-2025 as a whole and cover contributions of all programmes, projects and activities conducted in Timor-Leste by the UNCT which includes FAO, ILO, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, UNCDF, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNDRR, UNDSS, UNEP, UNESCAP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNV, UNCTAD, UNODC, ITU, UN Women, WFP and WHO. It will also examine the UNSDCF cross-cutting issues and the global UN programming principles (e.g. leaving no one behind, human rights, gender equality and women's empowerment, People with Disability, environmental sustainability, and resilience). The UNSDCF evaluation will also consider emerging issues, such as, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic in both the evaluation contents (e.g. the UNCT's responsiveness, adaptation, and reprioritization) and operation (e.g. methods for managing stakeholder participation and inclusiveness in the COVID context). The evaluation team could suggest any specific thematic areas for specific review, if necessary, after consultation with stakeholders. The evaluation will be conducted mainly in Dili, Timor-Leste. However, the evaluation team may also consider including field visits in their methodology. These suggestions for specific review on thematic areas and field visits should be proposed by the Evaluation Team in the inception report in consideration of data availability and areas for in-depth analysis. Evaluation time scope to focus on current UNSDCF 2021-2025 (2021-2023 in a summative way and 2024 onward in a formative manner). The primary users of the evaluation are the UNCT, including non-resident UN agencies, the Government of Timor-Leste, particularly the relevant line ministries and institutions, Civil society, Private sectors, academia, bilateral and multilateral donors, and the broader development partners are also seen as important audience of the evaluation. Intended use of the UNSDCF evaluations for the users are to: Provide accountability and learning from the UNSDCF 2021-2025 and inform the development and the implementation of the new Cooperation Framework; Use findings and recommendations to feed into the development of new Country Programme or Strategy of the UN Agency Provide learning and insights on effectiveness, efficiency, relevance and sustainability of the UNSDCF 2021-2025 Inform on areas that need support and improvements to better support the national priorities that can be used in funding decisions. Interested candidates may request the detailed ToR by emailing [email protected] and/or [email protected]

Qualifications: Advanced University degree (Master & equivalent) in development studies, economics, international relations, or related field At least 3 years cumulatively of substantial professional application of results-based management and evaluation procedure and experience in data collection and analysis. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience of conducting programme evaluation/review of programmes and /or outcome levels with international organizations Experience and background in gender equality/gender analysis and gender responsive evaluations; Sound knowledge of the country context and an in-depth understanding of at least one area of work of UNCT members; collectively, Evaluation Team members should broadly cover all areas of UNCT activity; No conflict of interest such as recent or expected employment by UNCT members or implementing partners, private relationships with any UNCT members of staff or government counterparts or implementing partners; participation in the design, implementation or advising CF being evaluated, among others). Any potential conflict of interest should be declared by candidates during the application process.