Evaluation Consultant for Terminal Evaluation of UNEP/GEF Project

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 numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it works with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will be responsible for conducting a Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF project aimed at enhancing biosafety capacities in Cuba. This role involves assessing the project's performance in terms of relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency, as well as determining the outcomes and impacts of the project, including their sustainability. The consultant will work closely with the Evaluation Manager and the Evaluation Office to ensure that the evaluation process is thorough and meets the accountability requirements of UNEP. The consultant will also be tasked with promoting operational improvement and knowledge sharing through the identification of lessons learned and recommendations for future project formulation and implementation. The evaluation will be conducted over a period of 8 months, with specific deliverables including an Inception Report, Draft Report, and Final Evaluation Report, which will be submitted at various stages throughout the evaluation process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Consultant will have a range of responsibilities throughout the evaluation process, including:

• Inception Phase: Conducting a preliminary desk review, drafting the reconstructed Theory of Change for the project, preparing the evaluation framework, developing desk review and interview protocols, drafting survey protocols if necessary, planning the evaluation schedule, and preparing the Inception Report.
• Data Collection and Analysis Phase: Conducting further desk reviews and in-depth interviews with project stakeholders, potentially conducting evaluation missions to selected countries, ensuring the independence and confidentiality of the evaluation process, and regularly reporting progress to the Evaluation Manager.
• Reporting Phase: Drafting the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring coherence and consistency with guidelines, finalizing the report based on feedback, and preparing a Response to Comments annex.
• Managing Relations: Maintaining positive relationships with evaluation stakeholders, ensuring a participatory evaluation process while maintaining independence, and communicating any issues requiring attention to the Evaluation Manager. The consultant must have no prior involvement in the project to ensure objectivity and independence.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, international development, or a relevant field in political or social sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of ten years of technical evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluations of large, regional, or global programs using a Theory of Change approach. A good understanding of biosafety and related areas is desirable, as is knowledge of the UN system and UNEP's work.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, international development, or political/social sciences. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) may be accepted if combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, demonstrating flexibility in educational requirements based on experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of experience in technical evaluation, with a preference for candidates who have evaluated large, regional, or global programs. Experience using a Theory of Change approach in evaluations is essential, as is a broad understanding of biosafety and related areas. Familiarity with the UN system and UNEP's operations is also desirable, indicating the need for candidates who are well-versed in international environmental governance and policy.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this consultancy, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in French is considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities within the diverse linguistic environment of the UN.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based with field visits required, and the expected duration of the assignment is 8 months. The consultant will be selected and recruited through a consultancy contract with the UNEP Evaluation Office. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and equitable hiring process.