Consultant for UNJPSP-II Evaluation

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, and it emphasizes a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for evaluating the UNJPSP-II initiative, focusing on its efficiency and effectiveness in delivering intended results through joint programming mechanisms. The evaluation aims to generate evidence that will inform future UN joint programming in social protection. The consultant will engage in extensive analysis and synthesis of complex data, ensuring that findings are actionable and evidence-based. The role requires a deep understanding of social protection systems and the ability to navigate various institutional arrangements at both national and sub-national levels. The consultant will also be expected to contribute to the development of recommendations based on the evaluation findings, which will be crucial for shaping future policies and programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the UNJPSP-II initiative, assessing its effectiveness and efficiency in achieving its goals.
• Analyze the joint programming mechanisms employed and evaluate their impact on social protection outcomes.
• Synthesize complex technical, financial, and qualitative information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, government bodies, and civil society organizations, to gather relevant data and insights.
• Prepare detailed evaluation reports that outline findings, conclusions, and recommendations for future programming.
• Ensure adherence to UNICEF’s Core Values and ethical standards throughout the evaluation process.
• Provide guidance on results-based management and evaluation methodologies to enhance the capacity of stakeholders involved in social protection initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in social protection systems, including policy frameworks and delivery mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience in leading or contributing to programme and/or policy evaluations, particularly for large-scale development programmes.
• Strong knowledge of results-based management, including logframe design and analysis, and theory-based evaluation approaches.
• Proven analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear findings.
• Familiarity with value-for-money concepts and efficiency analysis in development programmes is an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in relevant fields such as Social Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, or Public Administration. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills necessary for conducting a thorough evaluation of social protection initiatives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in social protection systems. This includes experience with policy frameworks, delivery mechanisms, and institutional arrangements at both national and sub-national levels. Candidates should have a strong track record of leading or contributing to evaluations of large-scale development programmes, particularly in the social protection sector.

Languages:
English is mandatory for all communications and documentation related to this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the regions where UNICEF operates.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is 2.5 months, and the working arrangement includes both remote work and travel. UNICEF emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their background. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and harassment. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and reasonable accommodations will be provided for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.