Evaluation Consultant for the Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF Project

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated entity within the United Nations system responsible for addressing environmental issues at both global and regional levels. Established to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus, UNEP plays a crucial role in keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it works with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will be tasked with conducting a Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF project, which involves an in-depth assessment using a participatory approach. This role requires the consultant to engage with key stakeholders throughout the evaluation process, ensuring that both quantitative and qualitative methods are employed to assess project achievements against expected outputs, outcomes, and impacts. The consultant will be responsible for maintaining close communication with the project team to promote information exchange and stakeholder ownership of the evaluation findings. The evaluation will also require the consultant to provide geo-referenced maps and photographs of key intervention sites, enhancing the evaluation's comprehensiveness and accuracy. The overall duration of the assignment is 50 days, spread over a period of 6 months, with specific deliverables including an Inception Report, Draft Report, and Final Report, each with designated percentages of completion.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Consultant will have a range of responsibilities throughout the evaluation process. In the inception phase, the consultant will conduct a preliminary desk review, engage in introductory interviews with project staff, draft the reconstructed Theory of Change, prepare the evaluation framework, and develop protocols for desk reviews and interviews. The consultant will also plan the evaluation schedule and prepare the Inception Report for approval. During the data collection and analysis phase, the consultant will conduct further desk reviews and in-depth interviews with project stakeholders, potentially undertake evaluation missions to selected countries, and ensure the independence and confidentiality of the evaluation process. Regular reporting to the Evaluation Manager on progress and any issues encountered is essential. In the reporting phase, the consultant will draft the Main Evaluation Report, finalize it based on feedback, and prepare a Response to Comments annex. Maintaining positive relationships with evaluation stakeholders while ensuring the evaluation's independence is also a key responsibility.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, international development, or other relevant fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of ten years of technical evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluations of large, regional, or global programs using a Theory of Change approach. A broad understanding of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) related to climate change is desirable, along with knowledge of the UN system and UNEP's work.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, international development, or political/social sciences. A Bachelor's degree in these areas, combined with additional qualifying experience, may also be considered acceptable. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of environmental evaluation and the frameworks within which UNEP operates.

Experience:
The consultant must have at least ten years of technical evaluation experience, with a preference for those who have evaluated large-scale regional or global programs. Experience using a Theory of Change approach is particularly important, as it will guide the evaluation process and ensure that the consultant can effectively assess project outcomes and impacts. Familiarity with the challenges and methodologies associated with environmental evaluations is crucial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this consultancy, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is desirable, which would enhance communication and collaboration with a broader range of stakeholders involved in the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based, with an expected duration of 6 months and a total of 50 days of work. The consultant will be selected and recruited by the UNEP Evaluation Office through a consultancy contract. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not required to provide any financial information or pay any fees related to their application.