Evaluation Consultant

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Position Title: Evaluation Consultant
Location: Nepal
Country: Nepal
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories. Its mission is to reach the world's most disadvantaged children, save their lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. UNICEF collaborates with governments and partners to enhance planning processes and improve service delivery for children, particularly in challenging contexts. The organization has a long-standing history of working with the Government of Nepal to support local-level planning and budgeting, especially following the country's federalization.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will be responsible for conducting a formative evaluation of UNICEF's engagement with local governments in Nepal. This evaluation aims to assess the effectiveness of UNICEF's support for local-level planning processes in the context of decentralized governance. The consultant will evaluate how well UNICEF's strategies align with existing policies and guidelines, identify gaps, and provide actionable recommendations for improvement. The evaluation will focus on four OECD DAC criteria: Relevance, Coherence, Efficiency, and Effectiveness. The consultant will work closely with UNICEF staff and stakeholders to gather data, analyze findings, and present results that will inform future strategies and enhance service delivery for children.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct inception interviews with key UNICEF staff and stakeholders to finalize evaluation questions and methodology.
• Develop a comprehensive inception report detailing the evaluation framework, including stakeholder mapping, data collection methods, and a timeline.
• Manage the data collection process, ensuring active participation in interviews and focus groups.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to derive insights and conclusions.
• Prepare and present preliminary findings to stakeholders.
• Draft a detailed evaluation report that includes key findings, conclusions, recommendations, and lessons learned.
• Finalize the evaluation report based on feedback from stakeholders and ensure compliance with UNICEF's reporting standards.
• Present the final evaluation findings to relevant stakeholders and assist in disseminating results.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in social sciences or development-related fields such as sociology, anthropology, public administration, political science, or development studies.
• At least 8-10 years of professional experience in conducting evaluations or strategic analytic reviews, with a strong understanding of global evaluation standards and methodologies.
• Documented experience in leading evaluations of national or organizational plans, policies, and strategies, particularly in developing countries in the South Asia region.
• Familiarity with UNICEF and UN programs, as well as the socio-economic and political context of Nepal.
• Strong qualitative data collection and analysis skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, development studies, or related areas. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of local governance, planning processes, and the socio-political environment in Nepal.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8-10 years of professional experience in evaluations or strategic reviews, with at least 5 years of experience in developing or least developed countries in the South Asia region. Experience evaluating UNICEF or UN programs is highly desirable, along with a strong understanding of federalism and local governance issues in the region.

Languages:
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory. Knowledge of local languages is considered an asset, as it will facilitate better engagement with local stakeholders and enhance data collection efforts.

Additional Notes:
The evaluation activities are expected to commence on April 1, 2025, and conclude by November 30, 2025, spanning a total of 8 months. The consultant will be responsible for documenting all meetings and sharing necessary notes with relevant personnel. The position is a consultancy role, and selected candidates will not be considered staff members under UNICEF's regulations. The organization promotes diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from under-represented groups. Candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and those with disabilities may be required to submit supporting documentation.