National Evaluation Expert

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. It merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men in various sectors including development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women has been implementing the EntreprenHER Programme since 2018, which aims to support women-owned micro-enterprises in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, targeting 4500 women entrepreneurs by 202

• The organization employs a diverse workforce and is committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects diversity and promotes mutual respect among its employees.

Job Overview:
The National Evaluation Expert will be responsible for conducting an external evaluation of the EntreprenHER Programme, which focuses on the sustainability and growth of women-owned micro-enterprises. The evaluation will assess various aspects of the program, including its design, implementation, and effectiveness in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. The expert will report to the Deputy Country Representative and work closely with the Programme Manager. The evaluation aims to provide insights into the program's relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, sustainability, and scalability, as well as its impact on women's economic empowerment. The expert will utilize a gender-responsive, theory-based, mixed-methods approach to gather data and insights from various stakeholders, including women entrepreneurs, to inform the evaluation process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Evaluation Expert will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Developing data collection tools and facilitating the inception workshop to draft the inception report.
• Conducting a thorough analysis of program documents and preparing the inception report along with data collection instruments.
• Coordinating field visits and focus group discussions with women entrepreneurs to gather qualitative data.
• Engaging with stakeholders throughout the evaluation process, including presenting preliminary findings and validating results.
• Analyzing collected data and drafting the evaluation report, ensuring it addresses comments from peer reviewers and stakeholders.
• Ensuring compliance with ethical standards and UN Women’s evaluation policies throughout the evaluation process.
• Providing key contextual information and insights to design a robust evaluation report that meets the needs of UN Women and its stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in gender and evaluation methodologies, with a focus on both qualitative and quantitative methods. They should have excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as strong communication and reporting abilities. Knowledge of results-based management and the UN system is essential. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to ethical evaluation practices and possess the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. A project/programme management certification is considered an asset, along with a proven track record in monitoring and evaluation related to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in gender/women’s studies, sociology, international development, or a related field is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A certification in project or programme management would be advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant work experience, preferably in monitoring, evaluation, or research focused on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and human rights within the South African context. Demonstrated experience in process management, including strong facilitation and communication skills, is essential for effectively engaging and coordinating with diverse stakeholders. Familiarity with the role of UN Women and its programming at the country level is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered a plus, enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders and participants in the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with a contract duration of 30 days spread over three months, with no possibility of extension. The evaluation will be managed by UN Women, which will oversee coordination, contractual oversight, and quality assurance. The evaluation process will adhere to UN Women’s ethical guidelines, ensuring the safety and confidentiality of all respondents involved in the evaluation. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.