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 practices. 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.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will be responsible for conducting a Terminal Evaluation of the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) project, which aims to address significant environmental challenges faced by these regions. The consultant will work closely with the Evaluation Manager and the Evaluation Office to ensure that the evaluation process is thorough and meets the required standards. The consultant's primary functions will include managing the evaluation process, conducting data collection and analysis, and preparing comprehensive evaluation reports. The consultant will also engage with various stakeholders to gather insights and ensure that the evaluation reflects a wide range of perspectives. This role is critical in assessing the project's performance, determining outcomes and impacts, and providing recommendations for future initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Consultant will undertake several key responsibilities throughout the evaluation process. These include:

• Inception Phase: Conducting a preliminary desk review, engaging in 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, possibly 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 stakeholders, ensuring a participatory evaluation process while preserving independence, and communicating any issues requiring attention to the Evaluation Manager.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, environmental management, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of ten years of technical and evaluation experience, particularly in evaluating large regional or global programs using a Theory of Change approach, is required. Candidates should also have geographical experience and expertise in the Caribbean region, along with a good understanding of ecosystem preservation, coastal zone management, and natural resource management.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, environmental management, international development, or political/social sciences. A Bachelor's degree in these areas, combined with additional qualifying experience, may also be considered acceptable. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of environmental issues and the evaluation processes involved.

Experience:
The Evaluation Consultant must have at least ten years of relevant experience, particularly in technical evaluation roles. This experience should preferably include evaluating large-scale regional or global programs and applying a Theory of Change approach. Familiarity with the Caribbean region and its unique environmental challenges is crucial, as is a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem preservation and management practices.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this consultancy, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also necessary, while knowledge of Spanish is considered desirable. Proficiency in these languages will facilitate effective communication with diverse stakeholders and enhance the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based with field visits and has an expected duration of eight months, with a total of 50 days of work. The evaluation will be conducted in phases, with specific deliverables due at various stages, including an Inception Report, Draft Report, and Final Evaluation Report. 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.