Evaluation Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated entity within the United Nations system for addressing 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 multiple countries, focusing on sustainable development and environmental protection, and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to these goals.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the UNEP Enabling Subprogramme Finance and Economic Transformations (FET-SP) for the period 2018-202

• This role involves assessing UNEP's strategies and actions aimed at addressing critical environmental crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The consultant will work closely with the Evaluation Office, reporting directly to the Director and collaborating with other team members to ensure the evaluation meets established criteria for relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, and impact. The consultant will be responsible for delivering a series of reports throughout the evaluation process, including an inception report, preliminary findings, a draft report, and a final evaluation report, all while adhering to a timeline that spans 12 months.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Consultant will have a range of responsibilities, including but not limited to: managing the overall evaluation process, conducting desk reviews and interviews, drafting evaluation reports, and ensuring stakeholder engagement throughout the evaluation. Specific tasks include mapping out projects within the FET-SP portfolio, assessing their contributions to UNEP's work, preparing evaluation frameworks, developing data collection protocols, and maintaining communication with the Evaluation Manager regarding progress and challenges. The consultant will also be responsible for finalizing the evaluation report, incorporating feedback, and ensuring that the evaluation process remains independent and participatory.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. A minimum of ten years of technical and evaluation experience is required, particularly in evaluating large-scale regional or global programs using a Theory of Change approach. Knowledge and experience in resource efficiency, sustainable finance, UN policy work, and multilateral environmental agreements are highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in environmental sciences, international development, or other relevant fields. A Bachelor's degree may be acceptable if accompanied by sufficient relevant experience. The emphasis is on candidates who have a strong academic foundation in areas related to environmental policy and evaluation methodologies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant experience, particularly in the context of evaluating large programs and utilizing a Theory of Change framework. Candidates should have a proven track record in conducting evaluations that assess the effectiveness and impact of environmental initiatives, as well as experience in managing complex evaluation processes.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this consultancy role, as it is the primary working language of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in French is also beneficial, given that it is one of the working languages of the UN. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken forms in English, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based with field visits required, and the expected duration of the assignment is 12 months. The evaluation process will be structured over a period of 70 days, with specific deliverables due at various stages. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and equitable hiring process.