Mid-Term Reviewer for 7th Country Programme (PNG) - National IC

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working to promote gender equality and empower women and girls. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda, particularly in the areas of maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence prevention. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled, reflecting its dedication to human rights and social justice.

Job Overview:
The Mid-Term Reviewer for the 7th Country Programme (PNG) will play a crucial role in conducting an independent mid-term assessment of the programme's progress, relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. This position is vital as it will help evaluate whether the strategic interventions of UNFPA are inclusive, equitable, and properly targeted in light of recent developments such as the 2024 National Census data and the National GBV Strategy. The reviewer will work closely with the International Team Leader and will be responsible for integrating local socio-political dynamics and field realities into the evaluation process. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of the five core thematic areas of the programme, including Quality Sexual and Reproductive Health/Mental Health, Quality Family Planning Services, GBV/SARV prevention and response, Harmful Gender and Social Norms, and Population Data and development. The findings from this review will directly influence the strategic reset of performance indicators and actionable recommendations for adapting to emerging demographic changes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Mid-Term Reviewer will be responsible for a variety of tasks including: conducting a desk review of programme documents to identify inconsistencies and gaps; facilitating stakeholder consultations through key informant interviews and focus group discussions with UNFPA staff, government counterparts, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community beneficiaries; providing contextual analysis on local socio-political and cultural nuances affecting programme implementation; assisting in formulating review questions and reconstructing the Country Programme Theory of Change; managing local logistical arrangements for field missions; contributing to the drafting of the Inception Report and the Mid-Term Review (MTR) Reports; evaluating all five core outputs and cross-cutting themes; and ensuring the evaluation process is participatory and inclusive by facilitating stakeholder validation workshops.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree) in Public Health, Population Studies, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or a related social science field. They should have at least 5-7 years of progressive professional experience in conducting or supporting evaluations or research in the development field, particularly for UN agencies or international organizations. Demonstrated expertise in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) or Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response within the Papua New Guinea context is essential. Strong technical and analytical skills, along with a firm understanding of the UNFPA mandate and the ICPD agenda, are also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree) in relevant fields such as Public Health, Population Studies, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or other related social sciences is required for this position. This educational background is crucial as it provides the theoretical foundation and analytical skills necessary for conducting evaluations and assessments in complex social and health-related contexts.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5-7 years of progressive professional experience in conducting evaluations or research, particularly in the development sector. Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of evaluating programs related to sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and other relevant areas, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex programmatic landscapes and deliver high-quality evaluations.

Languages:
Excellent communication skills in English are mandatory, along with strong writing abilities. Knowledge of Tok Pisin is considered an asset, as it will facilitate better engagement with local stakeholders and enhance the quality of the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position offers an attractive remuneration package that includes leave days, health insurance, and additional remuneration for pensions and social security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security obligations. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates.