Public Policy Evaluation Consultant (Early Childhood)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is dedicated to promoting sustainable development of human settlements and policies that ensure adequate housing for all. Established to support governments and local authorities, UN-Habitat operates globally, focusing on urban development and improving living conditions for the urban poor. The organization collaborates with various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society, and the private sector, to create safer, more inclusive, and resilient urban environments. The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where it has expanded its portfolio to support sustainable urban policies in collaboration with local governments. UN-Habitat has been actively involved in projects like the Urban, Sustainable, and Inclusive Prosperity initiative in Alagoas, which aims to enhance public policy formulation and implementation for sustainable urban development.

Job Overview:
The Public Policy Evaluation Consultant (Early Childhood) will play a crucial role in evaluating the Early Childhood actions implemented by the Government of the State of Alagoas. This position requires close collaboration with UN-Habitat’s operational and technical teams to ensure that the evaluation is conducted independently and effectively. The consultant will be responsible for developing an Inception Report that outlines the evaluation methodology, timeline, and key stakeholders involved. The evaluation will assess the effectiveness of various initiatives aimed at improving early childhood education, social assistance, and health services for vulnerable families. The consultant will utilize OECD-DAC evaluation criteria to analyze the intersectoral coordination and overall impact of these initiatives across all 102 municipalities in Alagoas, ensuring that the findings contribute to better policy-making and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: 1) Developing the consultancy Inception Report with detailed methodology and evaluation criteria. 2) Mapping the implementation of Early Childhood actions and identifying data sources and gaps. 3) Applying online questionnaires to relevant state and municipal secretariats. 4) Conducting semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and beneficiaries. 5) Organizing focus groups with professionals and beneficiaries to gather qualitative data. 6) Evaluating the effectiveness of Early Childhood actions based on predefined criteria. 7) Participating in meetings with UN-Habitat and government stakeholders to discuss progress and findings. 8) Delivering organized documentation and a final synthesis report that encapsulates the evaluation outcomes and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, International Relations, or related fields. A postgraduate degree in these areas is preferred, or alternatively, candidates may qualify with an additional five years of relevant experience. The consultant should have a minimum of eight years of professional experience in evaluation, particularly within Brazil, and should be familiar with good practices in Youth and Adult Education. Experience in public sector project management and previous work within 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, Economics, Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, or International Relations is required. A postgraduate degree in these areas is highly desirable, as it demonstrates advanced knowledge and expertise. Candidates lacking a postgraduate degree must have five additional years of relevant experience to qualify for the position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of professional experience in evaluation, specifically within Brazil. Candidates should have a strong background in project management in the public sector and familiarity with international evaluation standards. Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government and civil society, is essential for conducting effective evaluations.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication. A working knowledge of English is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders. Knowledge of French and Spanish is also beneficial, given the multilingual environment of the United Nations.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based and expected to last for six months. The consultant will be compensated with a total net amount of BRL 86,159.52, distributed across three payments tied to the delivery of specific products. The position is open to nationals from Brazil or candidates with a permanent visa in Brazil. The contract may be extended based on performance and availability of funds. All applications must be submitted in English, and only complete applications will be considered. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.