International Consultant for Evaluability Assessment

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is dedicated to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, ensuring that all employees feel a sense of belonging and purpose in their work.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this position is to enhance the evaluability of the Penang inclusive child protection model for the 2026-2027 period. This role involves ensuring adequate planning and monitoring of the program, as well as preparing for a comprehensive evaluation in 202

• The consultant will assess the design and monitoring of the program, providing evidence-based recommendations to improve evaluability. The consultant will also amend and update the program theory of change and monitoring framework, and support capacity building for UNICEF's partners in planning, monitoring, and evaluation. The position requires a strong understanding of UNICEF's goals and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to ensure the program's success.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct an evaluability assessment of the Penang inclusive child protection model, focusing on the robustness of the design and results framework.
• Identify and articulate the results chain and objectives, ensuring relevant, reliable, and valid indicators and measures are in place.
• Evaluate the adequacy of monitoring systems to measure progress and achievement of planned results, integrating equity and gender considerations.
• Provide recommendations for improving the design, data collection tools, and systems for effective implementation and evaluation of the program.
• Prepare a brief plan for conducting the 2027 program evaluation.
• Support capacity building of UNICEF's partners through workshops and remote assistance in planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Deliver outputs including a revised theory of change, monitoring framework, and capacity-building plans.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent, or PhD) in economics, public policy, public administration, business administration, or other relevant fields.
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in designing and formulating public sector plans and strategies.
• Proven knowledge and experience in conducting evaluations and/or evaluability assessments, particularly in the UN context.
• Familiarity with Malaysian planning and monitoring & evaluation systems is an asset.
• Strong technical knowledge of the program planning cycle and results-based management (RBM).
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills are essential for effective collaboration with stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree, such as a master’s degree or PhD, in relevant fields such as economics, public policy, public administration, or business administration. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of public sector planning and evaluation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of professional experience in the field of public sector planning and strategy formulation. Candidates should have a strong background in conducting evaluations and evaluability assessments, particularly within the context of the United Nations. Experience with Malaysian planning and monitoring systems is considered an asset, as it will enhance the consultant's ability to navigate the local context effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, the ability to converse with relevant stakeholders in Malay is considered an asset, as it will facilitate communication and collaboration with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is expected to be completed within 25 working days over a period of 4 months. The position is likely to be full-time, and UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF is committed to safeguarding the rights of children and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and visa requirements.