Principal Evaluator 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. The Evaluation Office, where this consultancy is located, reports directly to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Executive Director and is responsible for conducting evaluations of UNEP's projects and programs to ensure accountability and learning.

Job Overview:
The Principal Evaluator will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP-GCF project, which aims to enhance climate resilience in rural communities in Benin. This role involves managing the evaluation process, ensuring that it is participatory and inclusive, while also maintaining independence and objectivity. The evaluator will utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess project achievements against expected outputs and outcomes. The evaluation will require close collaboration with project stakeholders and the UNEP team to ensure that findings are relevant and actionable. The evaluator will produce a series of reports, including an Inception Report, Draft Report, and Final Evaluation Report, over a period of 46 days spread across 8 months. The position is home-based with field visits, allowing for flexibility while ensuring thorough engagement with the project context.

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

• Inception Phase: Conducting a preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff, drafting the reconstructed Theory of Change for the project, preparing the evaluation framework, developing desk review and interview protocols, drafting survey protocols if relevant, planning the evaluation schedule, and preparing the Inception Report for approval.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Conducting further desk reviews and in-depth interviews with project implementing agencies, partners, and stakeholders. This may involve conducting evaluation missions to selected countries, visiting project locations, and ensuring the independence and confidentiality of evaluation interviews. The evaluator will regularly report progress to the Evaluation Manager and keep the Task Manager informed.
• 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 upholding independence, and communicating any issues requiring attention to the Evaluation Manager. The evaluator must have no prior involvement in UNEP projects to ensure objectivity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in fields such as environmental sciences, international development, evaluation, public policy, political or social sciences, 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. A minimum of ten years of professional evaluation experience is required, with demonstrated experience in leading or managing independent evaluations of development, environment, or climate-related projects. Candidates should also have experience in conducting country-level evaluations and engaging with government institutions and stakeholders, as well as familiarity with Theory of Change approaches and mixed-method evaluation methodologies. Experience in evaluating climate change adaptation projects, particularly those related to ecosystem-based adaptation, forest restoration, and climate-resilient agriculture, is essential. Familiarity with the West African context, especially Benin, and experience with evaluations financed by the Green Climate Fund are desirable. Experience working with the UN system, particularly UNEP, is also an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, international development, evaluation, public policy, political or social sciences. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) may be accepted if combined with additional qualifying experience. This educational background ensures that the evaluator has a solid foundation in the principles and practices relevant to environmental evaluation and project management.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of ten years of professional evaluation experience, with a strong emphasis on leading and managing independent evaluations of development, environment, or climate-related projects. This experience should include conducting evaluations at the country level and engaging with various stakeholders, including government institutions. Familiarity with Theory of Change approaches and mixed-method evaluation methodologies is also required, along with specific experience in evaluating climate change adaptation projects.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English and French is required, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the preparation of evaluation reports.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is part-time, with an expected duration of 8 months and a total of 46 days of work. The position is home-based, allowing for flexibility in conducting evaluations, but it will also require field visits to project sites. The Principal Evaluator 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 that the process is transparent and accessible.