Principal Evaluator for Strategic Evaluation of Communication Dimensions

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated entity within the United Nations system that addresses 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, employing a diverse workforce dedicated to environmental sustainability and policy development. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it works collaboratively with various stakeholders to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Principal Evaluator will lead a strategic evaluation aimed at assessing the performance of UNEP’s project and programme communication from 2021 to 202

• This role involves evaluating the effectiveness of communication strategies and their impact on project outcomes. The evaluator will be responsible for managing the evaluation process, ensuring that it is participatory and evidence-based. The evaluation will provide insights that inform future project communications and enhance the effectiveness of UNEP's initiatives. The consultant will work closely with the Evaluation Manager and the Evaluation Office to deliver a comprehensive evaluation report, which will include an Inception Report, a Draft Report, and a Final Evaluation Report. The evaluation process will span over five months, with a total of 43 days of work, including field visits and consultations with key stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal Evaluator will undertake several key responsibilities throughout the evaluation process. These include:

• Inception Phase: Conducting a preliminary desk review, interviewing staff, drafting causal pathways for project communication, and developing detailed methodologies and analytical tools for the evaluation.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Engaging with relevant project teams and stakeholders, ensuring the independence and confidentiality of the evaluation process, and regularly reporting progress to the Evaluation Manager.
• Reporting Phase: Drafting the Main Evaluation Report, incorporating feedback from the Evaluation Manager, and preparing a Response to Comments annex.
• Managing Relations: Maintaining positive relationships with evaluation stakeholders and ensuring a participatory evaluation process while upholding its independence. The evaluator must also ensure that they have no prior involvement with UNEP projects to maintain objectivity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, international development, political or social sciences, or communication. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of ten years of technical evaluation experience is required, preferably with a focus on large regional or global programmes and utilizing a Theory of Change approach. Familiarity with programme and project design and management, as well as a good understanding of media, advocacy, and communication within development-oriented organizations, is desirable. Knowledge of the UN system and UNEP's work is also advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, international development, or communication. A Bachelor's degree may be acceptable if accompanied by significant relevant experience. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of environmental policies and communication strategies within the context of UNEP's mission.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of experience in technical evaluation, particularly in evaluating large-scale programmes. Candidates should have experience in using a Theory of Change approach and should ideally have a background in programme and project design and management. This level of experience is crucial for effectively assessing UNEP's communication strategies and their impact on project outcomes.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this consultancy role, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in French or Spanish is considered desirable, as it may enhance communication with a broader range of stakeholders and facilitate the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is part-time and spans a duration of five months, with a total of 43 days of work expected. The position is home-based with field visits required. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not subjected to any financial obligations during their application or evaluation.