International Evaluation Team Leader - Adolescent and Youth Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading organization in the field of reproductive health and rights, established to promote the health and well-being of individuals, particularly women and adolescents. UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, focusing on issues such as family planning, maternal health, and gender equality. The organization aims to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization employs thousands of staff worldwide, working collaboratively with governments, civil society, and other partners to achieve its goals. In the Philippines, UNFPA is actively involved in addressing adolescent pregnancy and reproductive health issues, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Eastern Visayas.

Job Overview:
The position of International Evaluation Team Leader - Adolescent and Youth Specialist involves leading a midline evaluation of the UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy (JPARAP) in the Philippines. This consultancy aims to assess the programme's progress towards its intended outcomes and outputs, analyze implementation strategies, and provide actionable recommendations for improvement. The evaluation will focus on the provinces of Samar and Southern Leyte, which have been identified as critical areas due to their high adolescent pregnancy rates and low contraceptive use. The consultant will be responsible for designing and conducting the evaluation, ensuring that it aligns with national priorities and realities related to adolescents and youth. The role requires a deep understanding of adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders to gather data and insights. The evaluation will also assess the sustainability prospects of the programme and its impact on the target population.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The International Evaluation Team Leader will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Designing the evaluation methodology and work plan, ensuring it meets the requirements outlined in the Terms of Reference (ToR).
• Leading the evaluation team, which includes a National Evaluation Specialist, and coordinating their efforts to ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Conducting data collection and analysis, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather insights on the programme's effectiveness.
• Engaging with stakeholders, including local partners, government agencies, and community members, to gather contextual knowledge and feedback.
• Producing key deliverables such as the inception report, draft and final evaluation reports, and PowerPoint presentations summarizing findings and recommendations.
• Ensuring that the evaluation process adheres to ethical standards, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm.
• Providing actionable recommendations for programme improvement based on the evaluation findings.
• Monitoring the progress of the evaluation and ensuring timely delivery of all outputs.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position must possess the following qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, demography, population studies, statistics, development studies, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in conducting or managing evaluations in the field of international development, with a focus on adolescent and youth issues.
• Extensive experience in leading complex evaluations commissioned by United Nations organizations or other international organizations and NGOs.
• Demonstrated expertise in adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, comprehensive sexuality education, and adolescent pregnancy prevention.
• In-depth knowledge of theory-based evaluation approaches and the ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
• Strong management and leadership skills to coordinate the work of the evaluation team and ensure quality deliverables.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken, with the ability to analyze and synthesize large volumes of data.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as public health, social sciences, demography, population studies, statistics, or development studies. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively lead the evaluation process and address the complexities of adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues.

Experience:
The position requires at least 7 years of relevant experience in conducting or managing evaluations, particularly in the context of international development. Candidates should have a proven track record of leading evaluations for United Nations organizations or similar entities, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex evaluation processes and deliver high-quality results. Experience working with adolescents and youth, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, is crucial for understanding the context and challenges faced by the target population.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position, as the evaluation reports and presentations will be conducted in English. Knowledge of Filipino or other local languages may be considered an advantage, as it can facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 3.5 months, with a total of 60 person-days allocated for the evaluation. The evaluation will primarily be conducted remotely, with regular in-person and online meetings with the Evaluation Manager and JPARAP Team. UNFPA will cover travel costs where applicable, in addition to the professional fee. The evaluation team will be supervised by the Evaluation Manager and the JPARAP Programme Team, with oversight from the UNFPA senior management team. The position encourages diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from individuals of various backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and underrepresented groups.