Public Policy Evaluation Consultant (Education)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) was established to promote sustainable development of human settlements and policies conducive to adequate housing for all. It operates globally, focusing on urban development and housing issues, and has a significant presence in Brazil, particularly through its Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) based in Rio de Janeiro. UN-Habitat collaborates with various levels of government and civil society to implement the Habitat Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to transform cities into safer, more inclusive, and resilient places. The organization has expanded its portfolio in Brazil, working with local authorities to formulate and implement effective urban policies since 2017, particularly through initiatives like the Urban, Sustainable, and Inclusive Prosperity project in Alagoas.

Job Overview:
The Public Policy Evaluation Consultant (Education) will play a crucial role in evaluating the 'Vem que Dá Tempo' Programme, a state-level initiative aimed at certifying youth and adults outside the regular school age in completing primary education. This position requires close collaboration with UN-Habitat’s operational and technical teams and involves developing an Inception Report that outlines the evaluation methodology, timeline, and stakeholder engagement. The consultant will be responsible for mapping the programme's implementation, collecting data, conducting interviews, and facilitating focus groups to gather insights from various stakeholders. The evaluation will adhere to the OECD-DAC criteria, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the programme's relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and coherence. The consultant will also integrate a gender-responsive approach and ensure the ethical conduct of the evaluation process, including obtaining informed consent from participants and maintaining confidentiality.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's responsibilities include: 1) Developing the consultancy Inception Report with methodology and evaluation criteria; 2) Mapping the implementation of the 'Vem que Dá Tempo' Programme; 3) Applying online questionnaires to stakeholders; 4) Conducting semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders; 5) Facilitating focus groups with teachers and beneficiaries; 6) Evaluating the programme based on predefined criteria; 7) Participating in meetings with UN-Habitat and government representatives; 8) Conducting technical meetings and workshops; 9) Ensuring a gender-responsive evaluation approach; 10) Delivering all documentation used in the evaluation process; 11) Systematizing outputs into a final synthesis document in Portuguese.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Education, Economics, Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, International Relations, or related fields. A postgraduate degree in a relevant field is required, or an additional five years of relevant experience beyond the basic requirement. Candidates should have a minimum of eight years of professional experience in evaluation, particularly in Brazil, and a good understanding of Youth and Adult Education practices. Experience in public sector project management and familiarity with the UN system is desirable. Strong analytical skills and the ability to conduct evaluations using mixed-methods approaches are essential.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as Public Administration, Education, Economics, Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, or International Relations is required. A postgraduate degree in a related field is preferred, or alternatively, candidates may qualify with an additional five years of relevant experience beyond the basic educational requirement.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of professional experience in evaluation, specifically within Brazil. Candidates should have a strong background in Youth and Adult Education and experience in public sector project management. Previous experience working within the UN system is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication. A working knowledge of English is desirable, given that English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and Spanish is used in the Regional Office.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is part-time (90%) and is based locally in Brazil. The total remuneration for the consultant is BRL 64,619.64, distributed across three payments tied to the delivery of specific products. The consultant must be available for potential travel within Brazil as required by the Head of the Brazil Office. The appointment is on a local basis, and only Brazilian nationals or candidates with a permanent visa in Brazil may apply. The contract's extension is contingent upon the availability of funds and performance, and all applications must be submitted in English.