Programme Evaluation Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. Established in 1972, UNEP has grown to become a pivotal organization in the global environmental landscape, advocating for sustainable practices and policies. With a workforce of over 1,000 employees, UNEP operates in more than 150 countries, collaborating with governments, civil society, and the private sector to address pressing environmental challenges. Its mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it plays a crucial role in coordinating the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

Job Overview:
The Programme Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for conducting mid-term reviews (MTRs) of selected programmes of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), which is a blended finance vehicle aimed at coral reef conservation. This position is hosted by the UNEP Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Unit within the Marine and Freshwater Branch. The Ecosystems Division, where this role is situated, works with international and national partners to provide technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy. The overall objective of the UNEP's Ecosystems Division is to support countries in conserving, restoring, and sustainably managing their ecosystems, including terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. The Programme Evaluation Specialist will closely collaborate with the UNEP Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Unit team to ensure that the MTRs are comprehensive and effectively assess the progress and impact of the GFCR programmes. The role involves preparing inception reports, conducting evaluations, and presenting findings to UNEP and the GFCR UN Global Team, thereby contributing to the overarching goal of enhancing the resilience of coastal reef ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Evaluation Specialist include:

• Preparing an inception report and methodology for conducting MTRs of four GFCR blended finance programmes in the Philippines, Indonesia, the Bahamas, and the Mesoamerican Reef. This involves defining the objectives and scope of the MTRs, developing survey questionnaires, guiding questions for interviews, and evaluation criteria for assessing the programmes.
• Carrying out online surveys and preparing desk reviews for each of the four programmes, which includes identifying relevant stakeholders and preparing reports from online interviews.
• Conducting evaluation missions to the four GFCR programmes, which entails preparing mission plans, interviewing stakeholders, and conducting field visits to assess programme impacts.
• Preparing four draft MTRs based on the methodologies developed, including reviews of project progress and impact, and documenting lessons learned and recommendations for improvements.
• Finalizing the MTRs by addressing review comments from UNEP and the GFCR UN Global Team and presenting the MTRs to UNEP, the GFCR UN Global Team, and the GFCR Executive Board, incorporating feedback from these presentations into the final reports.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental sciences, public policy, sustainability, management, or a related field. A first-level university degree with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, at least 10 years of experience in environment and biodiversity-related project and programme management, evaluations, and reviews at national, regional, and global levels is required. The candidate must have experience in blended finance management and monitoring, as well as in monitoring and evaluation. Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams, including local and expatriate technical experts, is essential. Experience in projects related to coral reefs or coastal and marine ecosystems is desirable, as is experience working with international organizations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in fields such as environmental sciences, public policy, sustainability, management, or a related discipline. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by relevant professional experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of environmental policies and the management of biodiversity-related projects.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in environment and biodiversity-related project and programme management, evaluations, and reviews at various levels. Candidates should have substantial experience in blended finance management and monitoring, as well as in conducting evaluations and assessments. Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams and on projects related to coral reefs or coastal and marine ecosystems is highly desirable, along with a background in collaborating with international organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this consultancy position. While English is the primary working language of the United Nations Secretariat, knowledge of French is also beneficial and considered a good asset for this role, given the bilingual nature of many UN operations.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of 6 months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization also does not request information regarding applicants’ bank accounts.