Evaluation Specialist

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 development. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it has a significant workforce dedicated to achieving these goals.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for conducting a Terminal Evaluation of a project aimed at increasing resilience to climate change in rural communities of Tanzania. This role involves assessing project performance in terms of relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency, as well as determining the outcomes and impacts of the project. The Evaluation Specialist will work closely with the Evaluation Manager and the Director of the Evaluation Office, contributing to the evaluation process through high-quality outputs. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of the project’s context, including the vulnerabilities faced by rural communities due to climate change and the strategies employed to enhance ecosystem resilience and diversify livelihoods. The Evaluation Specialist will also be tasked with ensuring that the evaluation process is participatory while maintaining independence, and will be responsible for drafting various reports and managing stakeholder relations throughout the evaluation process.

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

• Inception Phase: Conducting a preliminary desk review and 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.
• Data Collection and Analysis Phase: Conducting further desk reviews and in-depth interviews with project stakeholders, potentially conducting evaluation missions to selected project sites, ensuring the independence of the evaluation, 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, and preparing an Evaluation Brief summarizing key findings.
• Managing Relations: Maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring a participatory evaluation process, and communicating any issues requiring attention to the Evaluation Manager. The Evaluation Specialist will also be responsible for translating the final Executive Summary of the report into Kiswahili and ensuring independence from the project’s formulation and implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, international development, or other relevant political or social sciences areas. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in these fields, combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, a minimum of seven years of professional experience in sustainable land management and landscape restoration is required. Familiarity with the UN system and UNEP's work is desirable, as it will enhance the candidate's ability to navigate the organizational context effectively.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, international development, or political/social sciences. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent), they must also have two additional years of qualifying experience to meet the educational requirements. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of environmental issues and the socio-economic factors influencing climate change adaptation.

Experience:
The Evaluation Specialist must have at least seven years of professional experience in sustainable land management and landscape restoration. This level of experience is crucial for effectively assessing the project's performance and understanding the challenges faced by rural communities in adapting to climate change. Knowledge of the UN system, particularly UNEP's operations, is also beneficial, as it will aid in aligning the evaluation process with organizational standards and expectations.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required for this consultancy role, as these are the primary languages used in the evaluation process. Proficiency in French is also desirable, given that it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The ability to communicate effectively in these languages is essential for conducting interviews, drafting reports, and engaging with stakeholders throughout the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based with field visits required, and the expected duration of the assignment is six months, with a total of 30 days of actual work. The Evaluation Specialist will be expected to submit various reports, including an Inception Report, Draft Report, and Final Evaluation Report, with specific percentages allocated to each phase of the evaluation process. It is important to note that 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 or bank account details.