UN Women Country Program Evaluation (CPE) Consultant - National Evaluator

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Established in July 2010, UN Women was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate and enhance the UN's efforts in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM, which focused exclusively on gender issues. UN Women operates globally, with a presence in multiple countries, including Kyrgyzstan, where it aligns its strategic initiatives with national priorities and international commitments. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and competence, and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. UN Women aims to support the implementation of gender-responsive policies and programs, promote women's leadership, and eliminate violence against women and girls, thereby contributing to sustainable development and social justice.

Job Overview:
The UN Women Country Program Evaluation (CPE) Consultant will play a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness and impact of the UN Women Kyrgyz Republic Country Office's Strategic Note for 2023-202

• This evaluation will focus on the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and human rights and gender equality dimensions of the Strategic Note. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive evaluation that captures lessons learned and good practices, ensuring accountability for contributions to gender equality and women's empowerment. The evaluation will involve stakeholder consultations, data collection, and analysis, with a focus on providing actionable recommendations for the next programming cycle. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and UN Women offices, to ensure that the evaluation process is inclusive and participatory. The overarching goal is to support evidence-based decision-making and enhance the capacity of national stakeholders in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in Kyrgyzstan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a thorough evaluation of the UN Women Kyrgyz Republic Country Office's Strategic Note, focusing on its alignment with national priorities and international commitments on gender equality and women's empowerment.
• Assess the effectiveness, organizational efficiency, and strategic positioning of the Strategic Note in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Evaluate the integration of human rights and gender equality principles across the design and implementation of the Strategic Note.
• Identify lessons learned, good practices, innovations, and synergies across UN Women’s normative, coordination, and operational mandates.
• Provide actionable recommendations to inform the development of the next Strategic Note.
• Engage with stakeholders, including target groups, government institutions, civil society, and private sector partners, to gather insights and validate findings.
• Utilize a gender-responsive and human rights-based approach throughout the evaluation process, ensuring that the perspectives of marginalized groups are included.
• Prepare and present evaluation reports, including preliminary findings and final recommendations, to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to UN Women’s evaluation standards and guidelines throughout the evaluation process.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in social science, sociology, international development, gender/women studies, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of practical experience in gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE) related issues, including substantive support to evaluation processes.
• Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation, with a strong understanding of gender analysis and human rights-based approaches.
• Previous experience in similar assignments with UN agencies or other international organizations is highly desirable.
• Strong professional, analytical, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to the core values of the United Nations, including respect for diversity and inclusion.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master’s degree in social science, sociology, international development, gender/women studies, or a related area. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the UN Women Kyrgyz Republic Country Office's Strategic Note.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 5 years of practical experience in relevant development issues related to gender equality and women's empowerment. This experience should include substantive support to several evaluation processes, demonstrating the ability to assess program effectiveness and impact. Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworks, as well as experience in gender analysis and human rights-based approaches, is crucial for this role. Previous experience working with UN agencies or other international organizations will be an asset, as it indicates an understanding of the UN system and its operational mandates.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Russian, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Kyrgyz will be considered an asset, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the evaluation process by ensuring inclusivity and understanding of the local context.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to involve a combination of remote and in-country work, with field visits to selected locations in Kyrgyzstan, subject to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and feasibility considerations. The evaluation will cover the implementation period from 2023 to 2026, and the consultant will be required to engage with various stakeholders throughout the evaluation process. The consultant will also need to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including those related to diversity and inclusion, and will undergo rigorous reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.