Consultant for Mid-Term Review (MTR)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading UN agency dedicated to ensuring that every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, focusing on reproductive health, gender equality, and population dynamics. The organization plays a crucial role in supporting national development priorities and commitments, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNFPA's mission is to accelerate progress towards transformative results, including zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices. In Ghana, UNFPA is implementing its 8th Country Programme (CP) from 2023 to 2027, which is aligned with national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2023-2025.

Job Overview:
The primary purpose of the Consultant for Mid-Term Review (MTR) is to support evidence-informed learning, adaptive management, and mid-course adjustments during the implementation of the Country Programme. This role is designed as a light-touch, formative exercise rather than a comprehensive assessment, focusing on learning and adaptive management rather than formal evaluations. The MTR will serve as a critical checkpoint to facilitate strategic course correction and informed decision-making, emphasizing lessons learned, identifying bottlenecks, and uncovering emerging opportunities. The consultant will be responsible for evaluating the contributions of various outputs of the Country Programme, including Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services, Gender and Social Norms, Adolescents and Youth, and Population and Development. The review will also examine cross-cutting strategic accelerators such as gender-transformative programming, human rights-based approaches, and integrated programming approaches, ensuring that the programme maximizes its impact during its remaining cycle and beyond.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a mid-term review that combines evaluation reflection with strategic inquiry. This will involve assessing all outputs of the Country Programme and their contributions to UNFPA's interconnected outcomes. The MTR will cover interventions implemented at the national level and in selected priority regions and districts. The consultant will adopt an inclusive and mixed-methods approach, ensuring triangulation and robustness of findings. The review will include a theory-based approach, participatory methods involving stakeholders, and a mixed-method approach combining qualitative and quantitative evidence. The consultant will conduct desk reviews of programme documentation, national strategies, and UNFPA frameworks, as well as focus group discussions and consultations with stakeholders. The MTR will also involve secondary data analysis and limited field visits where feasible.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in demography, statistics, economics, population studies, public health, development studies, or a related field. A minimum of 7 years of experience in conducting multi-sectoral reviews and/or evaluations in development or humanitarian contexts is required. Demonstrated experience in leading evaluations commissioned by UN organizations or international development partners is essential. Candidates should have strong knowledge of theory-based approaches and mixed-method evaluation methodologies, as well as the ability to ensure ethics, integrity, confidentiality, and adherence to the do-no-harm principle. The ability to integrate human rights, gender equality, and intersectional perspectives across review phases is crucial. Excellent analytical, synthesis, and report-writing skills are necessary, along with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government, civil society, and UN agencies, is also required, along with familiarity with Ghana's national development context and SRHR/GBV/youth programming landscape.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in demography, statistics, economics, population studies, public health, development studies, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to conduct a comprehensive mid-term review of the Country Programme.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of experience in conducting multi-sectoral reviews and/or evaluations in development and/or humanitarian contexts. This experience should include leading evaluations commissioned by UN organizations, international organizations, or development partners. The consultant should demonstrate a strong understanding of theory-based approaches and mixed-method evaluation methodologies, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. This is essential for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders, as well as for the preparation of reports and documentation related to the mid-term review.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA is committed to ensuring equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity.