National Consultant: Development of Operations Manual

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which is a global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. Established in 1965, UNDP operates in approximately 170 countries and territories, working to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development. The organization focuses on several key areas, including democratic governance, peacebuilding, climate change, and disaster resilience, and aims to empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workforce, ensuring that all personnel are empowered to contribute to its mission, and fostering an environment where all individuals feel valued and respected.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for the Development of the Revised National Evaluation Policy Framework (NEPF) Operations Manual will play a crucial role in enhancing the evaluation processes within the Philippine government. This position requires the consultant to work under the guidance of the DEPDev Investment Programming Group (IPG) and in coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation Staff (MES) as part of the Evaluation Secretariat. The consultant will be responsible for developing an Operations Manual that aligns with the directives of the NEPF Steering and Technical Committees. The role involves conducting a comprehensive desk review of relevant policies and operational references, preparing an Inception Plan, drafting the Operations Manual, and facilitating validation sessions with stakeholders. The consultant will ensure that the manual provides clear operational and procedural guidance for implementing the Revised NEPF, including governance arrangements and monitoring processes. This position is expected to contribute significantly to the improvement of evaluation practices in the public sector, thereby enhancing accountability and learning within government programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including: conducting a structured desk review of key policy and operational references relevant to the NEPF; preparing an Inception Plan that outlines the approach, scope, and expectations for the manual; drafting the Revised NEPF Operations Manual based on the approved Inception Plan; coordinating and facilitating consultation sessions with stakeholders; documenting all consultation sessions and synthesizing key inputs; preparing the draft Operations Manual that includes operational guidance, governance arrangements, and monitoring procedures; facilitating validation of the draft manual with relevant stakeholders; and providing periodic progress updates to DEPDev and the UNDP Strategic M&E Project team. The consultant will also be responsible for ensuring that the final outputs are presented in a professional format suitable for design and layout, including an Executive Summary and a presentation deck for agency orientation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least a master’s degree in relevant fields such as economics, development evaluation, public administration, or social sciences. They should have a minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) of development programs or projects. Experience in developing policy, strategy, or operational documents involving public institutions is essential. Familiarity with Philippine government institutions and processes is advantageous, particularly in relation to inter-agency coordination. Candidates should have completed at least two operations manuals or comparable documents at the national or regional level, either individually or as part of a team.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a master’s degree in fields such as economics, development evaluation, development studies, public administration, public policy, social sciences, or organizational communication. This advanced education is crucial for understanding the complexities of development evaluation and the operational frameworks within which the consultant will work.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) of development or government programs. Candidates should have a proven track record in developing policy or operational documents and should ideally have experience working with public institutions in the Philippines. This experience should include familiarity with public sector processes and inter-agency coordination, which is critical for the successful execution of the responsibilities associated with this role.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is proficiency in English and Filipino. These languages are essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the preparation of documentation. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required for this role.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 42 days, spread from April 2026 to September 30, 202

• This is an individual consultant contract, and the consultant is expected to provide periodic progress updates to the DEPDev and UNDP teams. The position is open to both national and international candidates, and UNDP encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, including women and individuals from marginalized groups. The organization emphasizes a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and all applications will be treated with confidentiality. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure compliance with UNDP's standards.