Consultant for the Evaluation of the Restoring Mosul University Library Project

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNESCO, which stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Established in 1945, UNESCO aims to promote peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The organization has a mission to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue. UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a diverse workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. The organization is committed to fostering educational opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting scientific collaboration across the globe.

Job Overview:
The position involves conducting an independent external final evaluation of the 'Restoring Mosul University Library' project, which aims to restore and enhance the functionality of the Mosul University Library, significantly damaged during the conflict. The consultant will assess the project's relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact, generating lessons learned and good practices to inform future planning for similar projects, particularly in post-conflict higher education recovery. The evaluation will focus on the library's accessibility and functionality, the results of training and system implementation, and the success of digitization, restoration, and partnerships. The consultant will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, including university faculty, library staff, and community members, to gather qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the project's outcomes and challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct a desk review of project documents, including narrative progress reports, training records, and monitoring data.
• Carry out key informant interviews with UNESCO staff, university leadership, library staff, students, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate focus group discussions with library staff, students, and other patrons to gather insights on the library's functionality and accessibility.
• Perform field visits to the Mosul University Library and meet with project partners to assess the project's implementation and outcomes.
• Utilize participatory and gender-sensitive methods in data collection to ensure inclusivity.
• Prepare an inception report outlining the methodological approach for the evaluation.
• Develop evaluation tools such as interview questionnaires and observation checklists.
• Analyze data collected and synthesize findings across evaluation criteria, including effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coordination, impact, and sustainability.
• Draft and submit a final evaluation report, including key findings, conclusions, and recommendations, ensuring compliance with UNEG Evaluation Norms and Standards.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• An advanced university degree in education, library science, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in evaluating large-scale projects, preferably in post-conflict contexts.
• Expertise in higher education, digitization, library systems, or heritage restoration.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable recommendations.
• Experience working in Iraq or the MENA region is preferred.
• A commitment to UN values of non-discrimination based on race, gender, economic status, or religion.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in education, library science, or a related field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of library management, educational frameworks, and the specific challenges faced in post-conflict recovery scenarios.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of 10 years of experience in evaluating large-scale projects, particularly those related to education and library systems. Experience in post-conflict contexts is highly desirable, as it provides the necessary insight into the unique challenges and opportunities present in such environments. Familiarity with higher education systems, digitization processes, and heritage restoration will be beneficial for the evaluation.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and Arabic is required for this position. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, conducting interviews, and preparing evaluation reports. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is tentatively set from 25 November 2025 to 31 January 202

• The position is open to both internal and external candidates, indicating a broad recruitment strategy. The evaluation will involve travel to Iraq, specifically to Erbil and Mosul, and will require the consultant to engage with various stakeholders, including university faculty, library staff, and community members. The evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation, ensuring a rigorous and ethical approach to the assessment process. The consultant will be responsible for their logistical needs, including international travel and accommodation, while UNESCO will facilitate travel arrangements to project locations.