Evaluation Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated entity within the United Nations system that addresses environmental issues at both global and regional levels. Established to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus, UNEP plays a crucial role in keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it works with a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to achieve its goals. The Evaluation Office, where this consultancy is located, reports directly to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Executive Director and is responsible for conducting evaluations that assess the performance and impact of UNEP's projects and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will be tasked with conducting a Terminal Evaluation of the Supporting Inclusive Green Economy Approaches to Sustainable Development project (PIMS 2095). This evaluation aims to assess the project's performance in terms of relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency, as well as to determine the outcomes and impacts stemming from the project, including their sustainability. The consultant will work closely with the Evaluation Manager and other stakeholders to ensure that the evaluation process is thorough and meets the accountability requirements of UNEP. The consultant will be responsible for managing the evaluation process, which includes data collection, analysis, and report writing. The evaluation will provide evidence of results and promote operational improvement, learning, and knowledge sharing among UNEP and target countries. The consultant will also identify lessons of operational relevance for future project formulation and implementation, particularly in the context of inclusive green economy transitions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities throughout the evaluation process. These include:

• Inception Phase: Conducting a preliminary desk review, introductory interviews with project staff, drafting the reconstructed Theory of Change, preparing the evaluation framework, developing desk review and interview protocols, drafting survey protocols if necessary, planning the evaluation schedule, and preparing the Inception Report for approval.
• Data Collection and Analysis Phase: Conducting further desk reviews and in-depth interviews with project stakeholders, potentially conducting evaluation missions to selected countries, ensuring the independence and confidentiality of the evaluation process, and regularly reporting progress to the Evaluation Manager.
• Reporting Phase: Drafting the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring coherence and consistency with guidelines, finalizing the report based on feedback, preparing a Response to Comments annex, and potentially preparing an Evaluation Brief summarizing key findings.
• Managing Relations: Maintaining positive relationships with evaluation stakeholders, ensuring a participatory evaluation process while preserving independence, and communicating any issues requiring attention to the Evaluation Manager. The consultant must have no prior involvement in the project to ensure objectivity.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, international development, or other relevant political or social sciences areas. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the same fields, combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, a minimum of ten years of technical and evaluation experience is required, preferably including experience in evaluating large, regional, or global programs using a Theory of Change approach. A broad understanding of inclusive green growth is desirable, as is knowledge of the UN system and UNEP's work.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, international development, or political/social sciences. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) may be accepted if accompanied by two additional years of relevant experience. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to conduct the evaluation effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of technical and evaluation experience. This experience should preferably include evaluating large, regional, or global programs, with a focus on using a Theory of Change approach. The consultant should have a strong background in evaluation methodologies and practices, as well as experience working in the field of environmental sustainability and inclusive green growth.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this consultancy, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is another working language of the UN. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and reporting throughout the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based and has an expected duration of six months, with a total of 50 days of work to be completed within this timeframe. The evaluation process will involve the submission of various reports, including an Inception Report, Draft Report, and Final Evaluation Report, with specific percentages allocated to each phase of the assignment. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not required to provide any financial information or pay any fees related to their application.