Consultant for Monitoring and Evaluation of the O3 Programme

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace in the minds of men and women. The organization is dedicated to fostering sustainable development through education, promoting freedom of expression, and protecting cultural heritage. UNESCO's initiatives span various sectors, including education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information, making it a pivotal player in global development efforts.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Monitoring and Evaluation of the O3 Programme will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) Programme, which aims to empower children, adolescents, and young people in sub-Saharan Africa. This position involves working closely with various stakeholders, including ministries of education and health, to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the programme's impact on health and education outcomes. The consultant will contribute to the operationalization of the West and Central Africa Commitment accountability framework, develop qualitative methods for monitoring progress, and support research and evaluation activities. The role requires a strong focus on data collection and analysis, as well as the ability to communicate findings effectively to various audiences. The consultant will also be responsible for capacity building among UNESCO field staff and partners, ensuring that the programme's objectives are met and that no one is left behind in the pursuit of quality education and health services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Contributing to the operationalization of the WCA Commitment accountability framework and compiling baseline data for participating countries.
• Supporting the development of qualitative methods and tools for monitoring key outcomes of the O3 Programme.
• Assisting in research and evaluation activities, including the mid-term evaluation of the O3 Programme and the implementation of Global school-based surveys (GSHS and GSHPPS) in West and Central Africa.
• Developing routine programme reports and learning products related to education for health and wellbeing.
• Providing technical support and capacity building to UNESCO field staff and partners in monitoring and evaluation practices.
• Contributing to resource mobilization efforts and other tasks as required.
• Submitting monthly deliverables as agreed with UNESCO, ensuring that all activities align with the programme's objectives and timelines.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Education, Public Health, Demography, Development Studies, Health Economics, Social Sciences, Implementation Science, Statistics, or other related studies. Additionally, a minimum of four years’ experience in research, monitoring, and evaluation within the education or health sector is required. Candidates should have at least two years of experience working in sub-Saharan Africa or with entities based in the region. A proven track record in developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for large-scale programmes, supported by three examples or references, is essential. Experience in qualitative data collection and analysis, as well as manipulating large datasets from population-based surveys, is also required. Strong communication skills for producing knowledge products using programme data are necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in fields such as Education, Public Health, Demography, Development Studies, Health Economics, Social Sciences, Implementation Science, Statistics, or other related studies. A PhD in any of these fields is considered a desirable qualification, enhancing the candidate's profile for this consultancy role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of experience in research, monitoring, and evaluation, specifically within the education or health sector. Candidates should have at least two years of experience working in sub-Saharan Africa or with organizations based in the region. Experience in developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for large-scale programmes is crucial, along with a demonstrated ability to collect and analyze qualitative data and manipulate large datasets from surveys.

Languages:
Full working proficiency in either English or French is mandatory, with good knowledge of the other language being advantageous. This bilingual requirement is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse teams and stakeholders involved in the O3 Programme.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is full-time and will last for eleven months, starting as soon as possible. The consultant will be expected to submit monthly deliverables in accordance with the agreed scope of work. The recruitment process is open to external candidates, and UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment.