Principal Evaluator

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. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it works with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Principal Evaluator will be responsible for conducting a Terminal Evaluation of a project aimed at addressing environmental challenges in Saudi Arabia. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of the project's context, including the environmental issues faced by the Kingdom, such as climate change impacts, resource management, and biodiversity conservation. The evaluator will work closely with the Evaluation Manager and other stakeholders to assess project performance, relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency. The evaluation will also focus on determining the outcomes and impacts of the project, ensuring that lessons learned are documented for future project formulation and implementation. The role involves managing the evaluation process, conducting data collection and analysis, and preparing detailed reports that meet UNEP's evaluation standards.

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

• Inception Phase: Conducting a preliminary desk review, interviewing project staff, drafting the Theory of Change, preparing the evaluation framework, and developing protocols for data collection.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Conducting in-depth interviews with project stakeholders, performing desk reviews, and possibly conducting field visits to gather qualitative and quantitative data. The evaluator must ensure the independence of the evaluation and maintain confidentiality during interviews.
• Reporting Phase: Drafting the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring coherence and consistency with UNEP guidelines, and finalizing the report based on feedback from the Evaluation Manager.
• Managing Relations: Maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring a participatory evaluation process while upholding independence, and communicating any issues to the Evaluation Manager in a timely manner.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, international development, or relevant political or social sciences. 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 evaluation experience is required, preferably with a focus on large, regional, or global programs. Familiarity with the Theory of Change approach is essential, along with a broad understanding of integrated environmental management and policy development. Knowledge of the UN system and UNEP's work is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, international development, or social sciences. A Bachelor's degree in these areas, combined with significant professional experience, may also be considered acceptable. The emphasis is on having a strong academic foundation that supports the technical and evaluative skills necessary for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in technical evaluation, particularly in assessing large-scale programs. Candidates should have a proven track record of using a Theory of Change approach in their evaluations. Experience in integrated environmental management and policy development is also beneficial, as is familiarity with the workings of the United Nations system and UNEP's specific initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this consultancy role, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is another working language. Additionally, knowledge of Arabic is desirable, given the context of the project in Saudi Arabia and the need to communicate effectively with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based with field visits, and the expected duration of the assignment is 44 days within a period of 8 months. The evaluation process will include the submission of an Inception Report, a Draft Report, and a Final Evaluation Report, with specific percentages allocated to each phase of the assignment. 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.