Evaluation Consultant for MSMEs Project

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) was established in 1973 with the mission to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. ESCWA aims to foster regional cooperation and integration, enhance the capacity of member states, and support sustainable development initiatives. The organization operates in 18 member states across the Arab region, employing a diverse team of professionals dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by these countries. ESCWA's work encompasses various sectors, including economic development, social policy, and environmental sustainability, with a focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will play a crucial role in assessing the impact of the MSMEs project undertaken by ESCWA. This position involves evaluating how the project has contributed to achieving its intended results, identifying pathways to these results, and recognizing significant factors that influenced their achievement. The consultant will also explore any unintended outcomes, whether positive or negative, that emerged during the project's implementation. The evaluation aims to support evidence-based decision-making, enhance accountability to ESCWA's Executive and member states, and facilitate organizational learning by providing actionable recommendations for future projects. The consultant will be expected to conduct a thorough analysis of the project's performance, focusing on its relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability, while also considering cross-cutting issues such as gender equality and environmental sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the MSMEs project, which includes the following duties:

• Assess the relevance of the project by analyzing how the strategic needs and priorities of member states were identified and aligned with the project's intended results.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the project by gathering evidence to support the achievement of identified results and determining the contributions of various activities to these results.
• Analyze the efficiency of the project by examining whether planned activities were delivered with the end results in mind and identifying any adjustments made to optimize outcomes.
• Investigate the impact of the project, focusing on high-level effects and transformative changes it may have caused within the business environment of member states.
• Evaluate the sustainability of the project's results, considering whether they can be replicated in similar contexts and the ongoing benefits for stakeholders.
• Ensure that gender, human rights, disability inclusion, and environmental issues are integrated into the evaluation process and results.
• Develop a Theory of Change (ToC) for the project, identifying causal links and testing them against available evidence.
• Employ a mixed-method approach to gather qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring credible and unbiased findings.
• Prepare an Inception Report outlining the evaluation methodology and refined evaluation questions, and a Final Evaluation Report with findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in management, evaluation, or a related field. A minimum of five years of experience in conducting impact evaluations, particularly with Arab governmental bodies, is required. Proven competency in both quantitative and qualitative research methods is essential, including experience with self-administered surveys, document analysis, and informal and semi-structured interviews. Familiarity with MSMEs policy-making and research is desirable, as is experience in the Arab region's economic landscape. Candidates must demonstrate strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, development studies, management, international relations, economics, or any other related field. All candidates must submit a copy of their educational qualifications, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least five years of relevant experience in conducting evaluations, particularly impact evaluations related to projects involving micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Experience working with Arab governmental bodies is crucial, as is a strong background in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Candidates should also have a proven track record of delivering high-quality evaluation reports and recommendations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in Arabic is desirable, as it is a working language of ESCWA. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in all four language skills: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote or hybrid, with an expected duration of four months. The evaluation will be conducted in accordance with ESCWA’s Evaluation Policy and the UNEG Norms and Standards for Evaluation. The consultant will be expected to adhere to ethical guidelines throughout the evaluation process, ensuring confidentiality and respect for all information providers. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.