Consultant for Programme Evaluation

Job Posting Organization:
The organization behind this job posting is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which was established in 195

• The UNHCR's mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. It operates in over 130 countries, providing critical assistance and protection to millions of individuals. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, as well as to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. The UNHCR works tirelessly to promote durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons, focusing on their protection and the restoration of their dignity.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Programme Evaluation will play a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness and impact of a two-year programme funded by the Generalitat Valenciana, aimed at improving access to sustainable livelihoods for refugees and promoting environmental recovery in the Gambella and Assosa regions of Ethiopia. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods, as the consultant will be responsible for designing and implementing a mixed-methods evaluation. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders, including refugees, local communities, and UNHCR staff, to gather insights and data that will inform the evaluation process. The overarching goal of this evaluation is to enhance the international protection process for South Sudanese refugees and to ensure that the programme's objectives are met effectively. The consultant will also be expected to produce high-quality deliverables, including an inception report, presentations, and a final evaluation report that provides actionable recommendations for future programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Designing and implementing a mixed-methods evaluation that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques.
• Conducting thorough document reviews to gather background information and context for the evaluation.
• Facilitating key informant interviews and focus group discussions with refugees, community members, and UNHCR staff to gather diverse perspectives on the programme's impact.
• Performing field visits to observe programme activities and engage directly with beneficiaries.
• Applying OECD-DAC and UNHCR evaluation criteria to assess the programme's effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability, with a strong emphasis on Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) integration.
• Producing high-quality deliverables, including an inception report outlining the evaluation framework, stakeholder presentations to share findings, and a final evaluation report that summarizes the evaluation process and provides practical recommendations for future programming.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Economics, Social Sciences, Agriculture, or related fields. Additionally, a minimum of five years of experience in conducting external evaluations of livelihoods or socio-economic programmes in humanitarian or development contexts is required. Strong knowledge of UNHCR operations and refugee livelihoods programming is essential, along with proven experience in leading evaluations and applying mixed-method methodologies. Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills are necessary to effectively communicate findings and recommendations. Fluency in English is mandatory, and experience in Ethiopia is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Social Sciences, Agriculture, or related disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of livelihoods and socio-economic evaluations in humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
The consultant must have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in conducting external evaluations, specifically focusing on livelihoods or socio-economic programmes within humanitarian or development settings. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively assess the programme's impact and provide valuable insights for future initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency and a good working knowledge of English are mandatory for this position. While English proficiency is essential for communication and reporting, having experience in Ethiopia is considered an asset, as it may enhance the consultant's understanding of the local context and dynamics. Additional languages may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position does not require a functional clearance and is not remote. The consultant will be engaged in a competitive selection process, where technical proposals will account for 70% of the evaluation criteria, while financial proposals will account for 30%. The consultant will be expected to deliver various outputs, including an inception report, data collection tools, stakeholder presentations, and a final evaluation report with practical recommendations. The position is classified under the Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type, indicating that it may involve working with families in the field.