Evaluation Consultant

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Position Title: Evaluation Consultant
Location: Central African Republic
Country: Central African Republic
Deadline Date: February 14th, 2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The organization responsible for this job posting is UNICEF, a leading humanitarian and development agency that works in over 150 countries to promote the rights and well-being of every child. Established in 1946, UNICEF's mission is to ensure that all children have access to education, healthcare, and protection from violence and exploitation. With a workforce of over 13,000 employees, UNICEF operates in various sectors, including health, education, child protection, and emergency response, aiming to reach the most vulnerable children and families worldwide. The organization is committed to the principles of equity, inclusion, and sustainability, working closely with governments, civil society, and other partners to achieve its goals. UNICEF's work in the Central African Republic focuses on addressing the urgent humanitarian needs arising from ongoing conflicts and socio-economic challenges, providing essential services and support to affected populations.

Job Overview:
The position of Evaluation Consultant is critical in assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) in the Central African Republic. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the RRM's operations, focusing on its relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coverage, and connectedness with disaster preparedness and risk reduction strategies. The evaluation aims to identify lessons learned and best practices from the RRM's implementation over the past five years, providing actionable recommendations for improvement. The consultant will work closely with an independent evaluation team, including a national expert, to ensure a participatory and inclusive evaluation process that engages various stakeholders, including rights holders such as children and individuals with disabilities. The consultant will also be tasked with developing a detailed evaluation methodology, data collection strategies, and ensuring adherence to ethical standards throughout the evaluation process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Consultant will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Leading the evaluation process from inception to completion, ensuring that all deliverables meet quality standards and timelines.
• Developing a detailed evaluation methodology that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative approaches, ensuring stakeholder involvement throughout the process.
• Conducting data collection through various methods, including surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions, to gather insights from beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Analyzing data to assess the RRM's effectiveness in addressing humanitarian needs and its alignment with the broader humanitarian system in CAR.
• Identifying lessons learned and emerging good practices related to the RRM's implementation, including unexpected outcomes.
• Formulating actionable recommendations for improving the RRM's operational processes and strategic approaches.
• Preparing and presenting evaluation reports, including an inception report, initial findings report, and final evaluation report, ensuring clarity and accessibility for intended users.
• Collaborating with the national consultant and other team members to ensure a cohesive evaluation process and effective communication of results.
• Engaging with UNICEF staff and stakeholders to incorporate their feedback and insights into the evaluation process.

Required Qualifications:
The Evaluation Consultant must possess a range of qualifications, including:

• A Master's degree in social or political science, economics, international development, or related fields.
• At least 10 years of extensive evaluation experience, demonstrating a strong understanding of evaluation principles and methodologies.
• Proven experience in humanitarian interventions, including preparedness, response, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
• Familiarity with human rights, gender equality, and equity agendas, particularly in the context of humanitarian evaluations.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a complex environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling effective engagement with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in both French and English, with the ability to communicate clearly in written and oral forms.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes advanced university degrees (Master's level) in relevant fields such as social sciences, international development, public policy, or similar disciplines. The consultant should have a solid foundation in evaluation methodologies and a strong understanding of humanitarian contexts, particularly in developing countries.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience, specifically at least 10 years in evaluation, with a focus on humanitarian contexts. The consultant should have a proven track record of conducting evaluations using mixed-methods approaches and familiarity with the UN's evaluation standards and norms. Experience in the Central African context or similar environments is highly desirable, as it will enhance the consultant's understanding of local dynamics and challenges.

Languages:
Fluency in French and English is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders and produce reports in both languages. Knowledge of local languages in the Central African Republic would be considered an asset, facilitating better engagement with local communities during the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is expected to last for a duration of 90 days, with a combination of home-based work and field visits to collect primary data. The evaluation will be conducted over four months, from March to June 30th, 202

• The consultant will be compensated based on a payment schedule tied to the delivery of key evaluation milestones, including the inception report, draft report, and final deliverables. The consultant will be responsible for their own office equipment and resources, while UNICEF will cover travel costs and provide necessary logistical support for field visits. The evaluation team will operate under the supervision of the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG), ensuring quality assurance and adherence to ethical principles throughout the evaluation process.