Consultant for Final Evaluation

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is a leading global environmental authority established in 197

• UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices and to inspire, inform, and enable nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. UNEP plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager in the Resources and Markets Branch, Industry and Economy Division. The primary function of this position is to conduct a final evaluation of a project aimed at strengthening national capacities in nine Asia-Pacific countries to address plastic pollution. This involves developing, updating, monitoring, and reporting on National Action Plans in the context of negotiations for a global agreement. The consultant is expected to deliver several key outputs, including an Inception Report, Preliminary Findings Note, and both Draft and Final Evaluation Reports. The evaluation will assess the project's relevance, coherence, performance, and outcomes, ensuring accountability and promoting operational improvements and knowledge sharing among UNEP, project countries, and donors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties include conducting a comprehensive final evaluation of the project, which involves assessing the project's design quality, developing an evaluation framework, and creating a tentative schedule for the evaluation. The consultant will prepare an Inception Report that outlines the evaluation approach and methodology. They will also create a Preliminary Findings Note, typically presented in PowerPoint format, to share initial findings with the project team and verify emerging insights. The final evaluation will culminate in a Draft and Final Evaluation Report that includes an Executive Summary, detailed analysis of findings organized by review criteria, lessons learned, recommendations, and an annotated rating table. The consultant will ensure that the evaluation meets the accountability requirements and contributes to operational improvements and knowledge sharing.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in environment, social or natural sciences, environmental policy, law, political sciences, or equivalent academic qualifications. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of 10 years of post-graduate work experience in international development assistance in relevant fields is required. Extensive evaluation and technical experience is essential, particularly in evaluating large regional or global programs using a Theory of Change approach. A broad understanding of thematic areas such as environment, green economy, resource efficiency, and natural resource management is desired. Candidates should also have process management skills, including facilitation and negotiation abilities with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as environment, social or natural sciences, environmental policy, law, or political sciences. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by sufficient qualifying experience. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of environmental issues and the frameworks necessary for effective evaluation.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of post-graduate work experience, specifically in international development assistance. Candidates should have extensive experience in evaluation, particularly with large-scale regional or global programs. Familiarity with the Theory of Change approach is preferred, as it is essential for assessing project effectiveness and outcomes. Experience working within the UN system and knowledge of the Asia-Pacific context will be considered advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also required, as it is another working language of the UN. Additionally, proficiency in another official United Nations language would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and expected to last for a duration of four months. There are no additional notes regarding contract duration, seniority level, or compensation provided in the job description. 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 subjected to any financial obligations during their application, interview, or training phases.