Evaluation Specialist for the Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP-GCF 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 Specialist will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive terminal evaluation of the UNEP-GCF project, which aims to address climate-related risks to Bahrain's water resources and improve institutional capacity for water management. The evaluation will utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess project achievements against expected outputs, outcomes, and impacts. The consultant will work closely with the Evaluation Manager and the Evaluation Office, ensuring that key stakeholders are engaged throughout the evaluation process. The role requires maintaining effective communication with the project team and promoting information exchange to enhance stakeholder ownership of the evaluation findings. The evaluation will involve field visits and the preparation of various reports, including an Inception Report, Draft Report, and Final Evaluation Report, all of which must adhere to UNEP's guidelines and standards.

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

• Inception Phase: Conducting a preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff, drafting the reconstructed Theory of Change, preparing the evaluation framework, developing desk review and interview protocols, drafting survey protocols if relevant, planning the evaluation schedule, and preparing the Inception Report.
• Data Collection and Analysis Phase: Conducting further desk reviews and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners, and stakeholders. This may include conducting evaluation missions to selected countries, visiting project locations, and ensuring the independence and confidentiality of evaluation interviews. Regular reporting to the Evaluation Manager on progress and any issues encountered is essential.
• 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 preserving independence, and timely communication with the Evaluation Manager regarding any issues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in fields such as environmental sciences, climate change, water resources management, international development, evaluation, or a related area. 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 seven years of relevant professional experience is required, specifically in climate change adaptation and/or water resources management, as well as evaluation. Demonstrated experience in evaluating projects, programmes, or policies at the country level is essential, along with technical knowledge of climate change adaptation, particularly in relation to water resources management and climate resilience. Experience with UN system evaluations, especially UNEP and projects financed by the Green Climate Fund, is desirable, as is experience working with government institutions and stakeholders in Bahrain.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, climate change, water resources management, international development, or evaluation. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) may be accepted if combined with sufficient qualifying experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of climate change and water resource management, as well as for conducting effective evaluations.

Experience:
The Evaluation Specialist must have a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience, particularly in Bahrain. This experience should include a strong background in climate change adaptation and water resources management, as well as a proven track record in evaluating projects and programmes. Familiarity with the UN system and experience in evaluating projects financed by the Green Climate Fund are highly desirable. The consultant should also have experience working with government institutions and other national stakeholders in Bahrain, which is essential for understanding the local context and ensuring effective evaluation processes.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this consultancy, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in Arabic is considered desirable, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is part-time and spans a duration of 7 months, with a total of 31 days of work spread over this period. The Evaluation Specialist will be home-based but will be required to undertake field visits within Bahrain. The consultant must maintain independence from the participating institutions and will be selected 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 fair selection process.