Water and Other Urban Infrastructure and Services Evaluation Specialist

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Home-based/Remote

Objective and Purpose of the Assignment

The Independent Evaluation Department (IED) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is conducting an evaluation of India’s water and other urban infrastructure and services (WUS) sector. This sector assistance program evaluation (SAPE) will assess and inform ADB’s Board of Directors and Management on ADB’s experience in supporting India’s WUS sector during 2012–2022 and provide lessons and recommendations for future engagement in the sector. The evaluation will provide an independent assessment of ADB’s support to India’s urban sector reforms and WUS development and draw lessons for addressing sector challenges including financial sustainability. The evaluation will include ADB operations in subsectors of urban water supply and sanitation, sewerage, flood protection, urban policy, institutional and capacity development, solid waste management, housing, slum development, renovation and protection of culture and heritage, tourism related infrastructure and services, and road and traffic improvements. The evaluation scope will include urban operations from other sectors when these are clearly tagged as urban as is the case with urban transport operations. The overarching question is to what extent has ADB’s WUS program in India supported improved access to quality urban services, in a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive manner? To support the evaluation team, IED will engage an international WUS specialist with experience in development finance and Indian cities.

Scope of Work

The specialist will evaluate ADB’s WUS sector project portfolio, strategy, and performance in India during 2012–2022. He/she will review and analyze ADB’s WUS sector portfolio of projects and programs, within the context, objectives, and targets indicated in the different project and/or program documents and sector outcomes stated in the country partnership strategies. The successful candidate will be engaged throughout the evaluation preparation period with an expected end date of 31 October 2023. He/she will report to the evaluation team leader directly or remotely through video- and tele- conferencing. He/she will also join the team in meetings with key staff at ADB headquarters and during missions to selected countries, if feasible. **Note: Due to the ongoing global health crisis, feasibility of undertaking travel related to obligations under the contract will be assessed further. Travel arrangements will be discussed closely with the team leaders prior to initiating any travel. Alternatively, virtual meetings can be undertaken through video- and tele-conferencing technology (Skype, MS Teams, Zoom, WebEx, etc.), where available.**

Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output

The specialist will work in close consultation with the SAPE team leader and liaise with other team members as necessary. The specialist’s outputs will comprise (i) an assessment report of ADB’s portfolio of interventions using the evaluation criteria in the guidelines for sector assessment: strategic positioning, program relevance, coherence, efficiency, sustainability, and development impacts; and (ii) contributing to selected appendixes to the sector assessment based on the mission findings. The consultant is expected to undertake, and assist with the following tasks: (i) Review the evaluation framework and evaluation issues in the approach paper and brainstorm with the team in preparing an outline and organization of the report. (ii) Assess the performance of the portfolio of ADB interventions during the evaluation period based on the standard evaluation criteria: relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency in achieving outputs and outcomes, and their sustainability and the overall development impact of sector operations. (iii) Assess strategic relevance and coherence of the sector portfolio by verifying its consistency with the government’s plan priorities and ADB strategies; consistency with ADB’s experience and comparative advantage in the country and sector; appropriateness of geographic focus and use of financing modalities. Assess design relevance by checking if appropriate technologies and practices were used and performance indicators used in project and sector results frameworks. (iv) Assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the portfolio by verifying the extent to which expected output and outcome indicators of projects were achieved, whether in a cost-effective way, and if the outcomes can be sustained over the long term. (v) Assess the extent of achievement of results from ADB’s operations including service quality improvement, institutional efficiency, and private sector participation. (vi) Assess to what extent has ADB facilitated greater private sector participation in the financing and provision of infrastructure and services through support for the enabling environment and investment opportunities. (vii) Review TA documents in the WUS sector to assess the quality of TA design and contributions to institutional and organizational improvements, and ADB’s value addition. (viii) Interview ADB staff, government, and private sector stakeholders to understand (a) sector context, issues, and conditions affecting ADB’s interventions; (b) government’s commitment to and progress made in ADB supported reforms; (c) availability of financing and other resources; (d) experiences of ADB staff (in headquarters and resident mission) in implementing projects, risks, and mitigation measures; and (e) extent of achievement of results, ADB’s comparative advantages, value addition, and innovations. (ix) Identify key lessons from ADB’s operations, review best practices from other development partners and other DMCs, and make forward-looking recommendations for consideration by ADB in future sovereign and nonsovereign operations and overall sector assistance. In particular, highlight good practices and opportunities for ADB to better engage and leverage private sector financing and expertise in the urban sector. (x) Undertake other tasks related to the evaluation as the team leaders may reasonably request.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

The international consultant must (i) have at least 15 years of international development experience, including at least 5 years at senior level; (ii) be familiar with the country as well as substantial knowledge of sector level issues, policies, and programs; (iii) have advanced written and oral communication proficiency; (iv) have extensive knowledge and expertise on urban planning, infrastructure, and services provision; (v) be familiar with implementation of policies and strategies in the context of ADB, and other multilateral development banks; and (vi) have demonstrable expertise in carrying out and leading similar assignments.
Minimum General Experience15YearsMinimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment)10Years

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