Experts in evaluation of regional development interventions in the Caribbean

The Regional Strategy Paper (RSP) and the Regional Indicative Programme (RIP) 2008-2013 reflects the EC's commitment to support the Regional integration and repositioning of the Caribbean Region in the world economy. Regional Integration is the focal sector of the Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP).

The bedrock of the regional integration process is the establishment and functioning of a Single Market and Economy (CSME). The primary step which was taken towards this goal was the revision of the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas. It was replaced with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. The Revised Treaty was signed on 5 June 2001 by Heads of Governments of the Community at their Twenty-Second Meeting in Nassau, Bahamas. The Single Market component is being implemented at an accelerated pace. Its primary features are:

(a) liberalisation to remove border restrictions to the free movement of goods, services, capital, skilled people and the free exercise of the right of CARICOM nationals to establish business enterprises anywhere in the Single Market (the internal market);
(b) harmonization of legislation, regulations and administrative rules, directives, and procedures to deepen the seamlessness of the internal market;
(c) the building up of regional and complementary national institution to enable the effective, coherent and coordinated administration of the regimes of the internal market, including enforcement of community rules and disciplines;
(d) the organisation and delivery of technical support to the Member States to increase their capacity to effectively discharge Community responsibilities and to enable their nationals to participate in the regional economy.

The Single Economy is expected to come on stream in 2015. The European Commission (EC) and the Caribbean Forum of ACP States (CARIFORUM) signed in January 2007 a Financing Agreement (FA) providing for a grant in the amount of €40.5M to finance the 9th EDF Caribbean Integration Support Programme (CISP).

The team will provide the decision-makers in the CARICOM Secretariat, the relevant external co-operation services of the European Commission and the wider public with sufficient information to:

-Make an overall independent assessment about the past performance of the programme, paying particular attention to the results/outcomes of the programme actions against the objectives.

- Identify key lessons and propose practical recommendations for follow-up actions.

The evaluation approach should be developed  through three phases: a Desk Phase, a Field Phase and a Synthesis Phase.

EVALUATION TEAM PROFILE:

The evaluation team will comprise three experts with the following profiles and qualifications:

Common features:
• a solid and diversified experience in the specific field of expertise needed, including experience in evaluation of Programmes ( for at least 2 of the experts, including the Team Leader);
• experience in the Caribbean region (years of experience may vary per expert irrespective of their position on the team);
• full working knowledge of English and excellent report writing
• fully conversant with the principles and working methods of project cycle management and EC aid delivery methods.;

Special features: At least one of the experts should have solid knowledge of and practical experience with gender issues and gender integration analysis. At least one of the experts should have hands-on experience with environmental impact assessment techniques for projects.

• Expert A: Team Leader and senior expert with at least a Masters Degree in Program/Project Management, Economics, Public Policy, International Affairs, Globalization and International Development, or related field. Expertise in program/project evaluation methods and techniques. Minimum of ten (10) years experience in evaluation of development programmes in general and in regional development interventions in particular, will be an added advantage.

• Expert B: Expert in Public Procurement with at least a University Degree in Program/Project Management, Economics, Public Policy, International Affairs, Globalization and International Development or related field. Sound knowledge in programme/project evaluation methods and techniques. At least seven (7) years experience in the evaluation of development programmes at the regional (Caribbean) level will be an added advantage.

• Expert C: Expert in Human Resource and/or Organizational Development with at least a University
Degree in Program/Project Management, Economics, Public Policy, International Affairs, Globalization and International Development or related field. Sound knowledge in programme/project evaluation methods and techniques. At least five (5) years experience in the evaluation of development programmes at the regional (Caribbean) level will be an added advantage.

The composition of the team of experts should be balanced to enable complete coverage of the different aspects of project evaluation (evaluation methods and techniques) as set out in these terms of reference, including cross-cutting issues.

The team as a whole should possess a sound level of knowledge of and experience in the Caribbean regional integration processes and regional development issues and have experience working in the Caribbean.

Application instructions: Please email forlenza@gico.ws