INTRODUCTION

This is the Terms of Reference (ToR) for -the Midterm Review (MTR) of the full-sized UNDP-supported GEF-financed project titled Promotion of Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems in the Philippines (PIMS# 5304) implemented through the Department of Transportation (DoTr), which is to be undertaken in 2020. The project started on 16 November 2017 and is in its fourth year of implementation. This ToR sets out the expectations for this MTR.  The MTR process must follow the guidance outlined in the document Guidance For Conducting Midterm Reviews of UNDP-Supported, GEF-Financed Projects.

PROJECT BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The project was designed to create an enabling environment for the commercialization of low carbon urban transport systems (e.g., electric and hybrid vehicles) in the Philippines. The project aims to do this through 1) effective enforcement of policies and support provided for the promotion of low carbon modes of transport; 2) adopting and implementing low carbon transport plans and/or programs in major cities; 3) increasing private sector participation in the widespread deployment and commercialization of low carbon transport systems; and 4) increasing private sector investment in low carbon transport systems. The project is being implemented through the Department of Transportation under a National Implementation Modality.

MTR PURPOSE

The MTR will assess progress towards the achievement of the project objectives and outcomes as specified in the Project Document, and assess early signs of project success or failure with the goal of identifying the necessary changes to be made in order to set the project on-track to achieve its intended results. The MTR will also review the project’s strategy and its risks to sustainability.

The findings shall be acted upon by UNDP, DoTr, and other government agencies and stakeholders. The findings and any other relevant lessons and recommendations is expected to contribute to the internal programming of UNDP and to existing and emerging national policy considerations, including but not limited to the enhancement and eventual implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and emerging considerations for greening the recovery of the Philippines from COVID-19.

TIMEFRAME

The total duration of the MTR will be approximately 40 working days over a time period of 9 weeks and shall not exceed five months from when the consultant(s) are hired. Assuming a start date of 15 September 2020 (1 October 2020), the tentative MTR timeframe is as follows:

MTR ARRANGEMENTS

The principal responsibility for managing this MTR resides with the Commissioning Unit, which is the UNDP Philippines Country Office. The MTR shall be managed by the M&E Focal of the Country Office together with the Climate Action Programme Team.

An Evaluation Reference Group (ERG) shall be formed composed of principal representatives from project stakeholders (government partners, donor, representatives from the Project Board) that will perform an advisory role throughout the process, ensure that evaluation standards as provided by the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) are adhered to, including safeguarding transparency and independence, advise on the relevance and appropriateness of questions, and support and provide input into the development of the management responses and key actions.

The Commissioning Unit will contract the consultants and ensure appropriate management of obligations for the MTR team and will provide an updated stakeholder list with contact details (phone and email). The Project Team will be responsible for liaising with the MTR team to provide all relevant documents, set up stakeholder interviews, and arrange other activities related to the MTR process.

TEAM COMPOSITION

A team of two independent consultants will conduct the MTR – one international consultant to function as review lead/coordinator (with experience and exposure to projects and evaluations in other regions globally) and one national consultant to function as technical expert. 

• The review lead/coordinator (international consultant) will mainly be responsible for initiating and managing the MTR process and leading the overall design and writing of the MTR, maintaining the integrity and independence of the process, and ensuring that the MTR translates into a relevant and actionable product for organizational and national results-based management and development.
• The technical expert (national consultant) will provide support to the review lead/coordinator [KA1] and serve as the subject matter expert at the national level. S/he should have a strong background on the subject and will mainly be responsible for studying the dynamics among stakeholders and how it affects project performance, progress and results achievement, and potential development pathways for the country, highlighting gains, uncovering gaps, and proposing appropriate corrective measures that the project can take.

The consultants cannot have participated in the project preparation, formulation, and/or implementation (including the writing of the Project Document) and should not have a conflict of interest with project’s related activities. 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• 20% payment upon satisfactory delivery of the final MTR Inception Report and approval by the Commissioning Unit
• 40% payment upon satisfactory delivery of the draft MTR report to the Commissioning Unit
• 40% payment upon satisfactory delivery of the final MTR report and approval by the Commissioning Unit and RTA (via signatures on the TE Report Clearance Form) and delivery of completed TE Audit Trail

Criteria for issuing the final payment of 40%[1]:

• The final MTR report includes all requirements outlined in the MTR TOR and is in accordance with the MTR guidance.
• The final MTR report is clearly written, logically organized, and is specific for this project (i.e. text has not been cut & pasted from other MTR reports).
• The Audit Trail includes responses to and justification for each comment listed.

In line with the UNDP’s financial regulations, when determined by the Country Office and/or the consultant that a deliverable or service cannot be satisfactorily completed due to the impact of COVID- 19 and limitations to the evaluation, that deliverable or service will not be paid.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation and its implications, a partial payment may be considered if the consultant invested time towards the deliverable but was unable to complete to circumstances beyond his/her control.

[1] The Commissioning Unit is obligated to issue payments to the MTR team as soon as the terms under the ToR are fulfilled.  If there is an ongoing discussion regarding the quality and completeness of the final deliverables that cannot be resolved between the Commissioning Unit and the MTR team, the Regional M&E Advisor and Vertical Fund Directorate will be consulted.  If needed, the Commissioning Unit’s senior management, Procurement Services Unit and Legal Support Office will be notified as well so that a decision can be made about whether or not to withhold payment of any amounts that may be due to the evaluator(s), suspend or terminate the contract and/or remove the individual contractor from any applicable rosters. See the UNDP Individual Contract Policy for further details:

https://popp.undp.org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/UNDP_POPP_DOCUMENT_LIBRARY/Public/PSU_Individual%20Contract_Individual%20Contract%20Policy.docx&action=default       

Duties and Responsibilities

Complete details of Duties and Responsibilities can be viewed at the Terms of Reference attached herein.