Consultant for Evaluation of ADVANCE: WPP Project

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda, aiming to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between genders. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to strengthen women's voice, agency, and leadership across various sectors, contributing to tangible improvements in their lives. The organization is involved in numerous initiatives, including the ADVANCE: WPP project, which aims to enhance women's political participation in Nigeria, aligning with national priorities and international commitments to gender equality.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Evaluation of the ADVANCE: WPP Project will be responsible for assessing the design, implementation, and results of the project, which aims to increase women's participation as political leaders in Nigeria. The project, funded by the Government of Canada, runs from March 2022 to April 2026, with a budget of CAD $7,999,12

• The consultant will evaluate the project's effectiveness in achieving its objectives, including legislative reforms, capacity-building for women candidates, and engagement with key stakeholders. The evaluation will provide insights into the challenges faced, lessons learned, and best practices, ultimately informing future programming on women's political participation. The consultant will employ various evaluation methodologies, including portfolio analysis, desk reviews, and stakeholder interviews, to gather comprehensive data and insights.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Developing an inception report outlining the evaluation design, methodology, and stakeholder mapping.
• Conducting a thorough evaluation of the ADVANCE WPP project, assessing its design, implementation, and results against established objectives.
• Engaging with stakeholders, including UN Women staff, government officials, and civil society organizations, to gather qualitative and quantitative data.
• Analyzing the data collected to identify challenges, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Preparing and presenting preliminary findings to the evaluation steering committee for feedback.
• Drafting a comprehensive evaluation report that includes background, methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Finalizing the evaluation report based on feedback received from stakeholders.
• Creating communication products, such as presentations and infographics, to disseminate key findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in gender equality and women's empowerment, with a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in project/programme evaluations. They should have substantive knowledge of women's participation in public life and leadership, as well as experience working in multicultural environments. The ability to draft clear and well-written reports is essential, along with experience in UN organizations and programs related to gender equality. Strong communication skills and the capacity to work effectively with diverse partners are also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Gender Studies, Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, or a related field is required. Equivalent practical experience may also be considered. The educational background should reflect a strong understanding of gender issues and the political landscape affecting women's participation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in gender equality and women's empowerment, particularly in the context of project evaluations. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in assessing women's participation in public life and leadership roles. Familiarity with UN organizations and their programming related to gender equality is an asset, as is experience in drafting and producing clear, well-structured reports.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context in Nigeria or the broader region.

Additional Notes:
The evaluation is part of a decentralized project evaluation process managed by UN Women Nigeria, and it will cover the entire program period from March 2022 to April 202

• The consultant will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, including government ministries, civil society organizations, and other partners involved in women's political participation. The evaluation will employ a participatory approach, ensuring that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are included in the assessment process. The consultant will be required to produce a series of deliverables, including an inception report, preliminary findings presentation, draft evaluation report, and final evaluation report, all of which must adhere to UN Women’s standards and guidelines.