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 numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development practices. 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 Consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive evaluation of a project aimed at enhancing reef ecosystem integrity and resilience in the Maldives. 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 consultant will work closely with the Evaluation Manager and the Director of the Evaluation Office, ensuring that the evaluation process is thorough and adheres to UNEP's Evaluation Policy. The consultant will manage the evaluation's inception, data collection, analysis, and reporting phases, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and maintaining independence throughout the evaluation process. The consultant will also engage with various stakeholders, including project partners and local communities, to gather insights and ensure a participatory evaluation process.

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

• Inception Phase: Conducting a preliminary desk review, drafting the Theory of Change, preparing the evaluation framework, developing protocols for data collection, and planning the evaluation schedule.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Conducting in-depth interviews with project stakeholders, performing site visits to project locations, and ensuring the independence and confidentiality of the evaluation process.
• Reporting Phase: Drafting the Main Evaluation Report, finalizing the report based on feedback, and preparing a summary of key findings.
• Managing Relations: Maintaining positive relationships with evaluation stakeholders, ensuring a participatory evaluation process, and communicating any issues to the Evaluation Manager. The consultant must ensure that they have no prior involvement in the project to maintain objectivity.

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 evaluation experience, particularly in evaluating large-scale regional or global programs using a Theory of Change approach, is required. A broad understanding of biodiversity conservation, marine resource management, and natural capital accounting is desirable, along with knowledge of the UN system and UNEP's work.

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

Experience:
The consultant must have at least ten years of experience in technical evaluation, with a preference for those who have evaluated large, regional, or global programs. Experience using a Theory of Change approach is particularly important, as it will guide the evaluation process and help assess the project's effectiveness and impact. Familiarity with biodiversity conservation and marine resource management is also beneficial.

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 desirable, as it is another working language of the UN. Proficiency in these languages will facilitate effective communication with stakeholders and ensure the evaluation process runs smoothly.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based with field visits, and the expected duration of the assignment is eight months. The evaluation process will be structured to include an inception report, a draft report, and a final evaluation report, with specific percentages allocated to each phase. 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.