Evaluation Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates globally, focusing on the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of gender equality. The organization emphasizes accountability on gender equality through evaluation and learning, and it has a significant presence in various countries, working towards the integration of gender perspectives in development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or any other basis covered by law.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting decentralized evaluations at regional and country levels within UN Women. Reporting to the Regional Evaluation Specialist and under the supervision of the Chief of the Independent Evaluation Service, the consultant will be responsible for conducting evaluations across the East and Southern Africa Region. This includes leading evaluations from scoping to dissemination, providing methodological advice, and ensuring that evaluation findings are utilized effectively. The consultant will also focus on strengthening evaluation capacity within UN Women, providing training and support to regional and country offices, and promoting gender-responsive evaluation practices. The position requires a strong understanding of evaluation methodologies and a commitment to enhancing accountability and learning in the context of gender equality and women's empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Consultant will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including: conducting and managing evaluations across the East and Southern Africa Region, leading evaluations from inception to dissemination; providing methodological advice and quality assurance for decentralized evaluation processes; preparing Terms of References (TORs) and evaluation reports; ensuring follow-up on evaluation findings and recommendations; organizing knowledge management activities such as meetings and workshops; providing training and coaching on evaluation policies and guidelines; advising program managers on evaluability perspectives; collaborating with UN inter-agency evaluation groups; and performing other related duties as assigned by the supervisor. The consultant will also be responsible for liaising with project managers to ensure that evaluation results inform project design and implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in evaluation, social science, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The position requires at least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in evaluation, preferably within development or humanitarian contexts. Proven experience in leading or conducting evaluations is essential, along with familiarity with gender equality analytical work and programming. Experience in international organizations or similar complex environments is desirable, as is experience in evaluation use and knowledge management.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in evaluation, social science, or a related field is required for this position. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have two additional years of relevant experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of evaluation processes and methodologies, particularly in relation to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Experience:
The Evaluation Consultant should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in evaluation, ideally within development or humanitarian contexts. Candidates must demonstrate proven hands-on experience in leading or conducting evaluations, as well as experience in gender equality analytical work and programming. Familiarity with current development issues and experience working in international organizations or similar complex settings are highly desirable. Additionally, experience in evaluation use and knowledge management is required, with a preference for candidates who have worked in the East and Southern Africa region.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language is considered desirable, as it can enhance communication and collaboration within the UN system and with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work location. The position emphasizes the importance of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, aligning with UN Women's core values. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims of the United Nations. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. It is essential for applicants to complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.