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 multiple countries, focusing on various environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices worldwide. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it works with a wide range of partners to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will be responsible for conducting a Terminal Evaluation of the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) project, which aims to address significant environmental challenges faced by these regions. The consultant will work closely with the Evaluation Manager and the Evaluation Office to ensure that the evaluation is comprehensive and meets the accountability requirements of UNEP. The consultant's role will involve managing the evaluation process, conducting data collection and analysis, and preparing detailed reports that assess the project's performance in terms of relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency. The consultant will also be expected to provide evidence of results and promote operational improvement through lessons learned, ensuring that the evaluation process is participatory while maintaining independence.

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 desk reviews, and potentially visiting project locations to gather firsthand information. The consultant must ensure the independence of the evaluation and maintain confidentiality during interviews.
• Reporting Phase: Drafting the Main Evaluation Report, incorporating feedback from the Evaluation Manager, and preparing a summary of key findings and lessons learned.
• Managing Relations: Maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring a participatory evaluation process, and communicating any issues that arise during the evaluation.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, environmental management, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in these areas combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. The consultant must have at least ten years of technical and evaluation experience, particularly in evaluating large regional or global programs using a Theory of Change approach. Experience in the Caribbean region and a good understanding of ecosystem preservation, coastal zone management, and natural resource management are also essential. Knowledge of the UN system and UNEP's work is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, environmental management, or international development. A Bachelor's degree in these areas, along with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of environmental issues and the methodologies used in evaluations.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of ten years of relevant experience, particularly in technical evaluation roles. This experience should preferably include evaluating large-scale regional or global programs and applying a Theory of Change approach. Familiarity with the Caribbean region and its unique environmental challenges is essential, as is a broad understanding of ecosystem preservation and natural resource management.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this consultancy, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of Spanish is considered desirable, as it may facilitate communication with stakeholders in the Caribbean region. Proficiency in French is also beneficial, given that it is another working language of the UN.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based with field visits and is expected to last for a duration of 50 days within an 8-month period, working part-time. The consultant will be selected and recruited by the UNEP Evaluation Office through an individual consultancy contract. 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.