International Consultant - Evaluation Team Leader

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) has been operational in Thailand since 1971, focusing on enhancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), promoting gender equality, empowering young people, and strengthening the generation and use of population data for development. The organization is currently implementing its 12th Country Programme from 2022 to 2026 in partnership with the Government of Thailand. UNFPA's mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization operates in multiple countries, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based programming and accountability through evaluations and strategic planning.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Team Leader will be responsible for the overall design and implementation of the Country Programme Evaluation (CPE) for UNFPA Thailand. This role involves ensuring the quality, coherence, and timely submission of all evaluation deliverables in accordance with the Terms of Reference (ToR). The Evaluation Team Leader will lead and coordinate the evaluation team, working closely with the National Evaluator on Data and Population Dynamics and the Young and Emerging Evaluator (YEE) to foster a robust, inclusive, and capacity-building approach. The position requires a strong commitment to ethical standards and the integration of human rights and gender perspectives throughout the evaluation process. The Evaluation Team Leader will also serve as a technical expert in one of the thematic areas of the country programme, contributing to the evaluation design, data collection, and analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Coordination: Lead the design, planning, and execution of the CPE; oversee and coordinate the evaluation team, ensuring clear roles and effective communication; ensure that evaluation deliverables meet UNFPA quality standards and are submitted on time; work closely with the CPE Manager for methodological guidance; foster a collaborative working environment.
• Design and Methodology Development: Lead the drafting and presentation of the Design Report; define the evaluation approach, methodology, work plan, and agenda for the field phase; ensure adherence to UNFPA Evaluation Guidelines; integrate qualitative and quantitative methods for robust analysis.
• Field Phase and Data Collection: Oversee field data collection implementation; guide the evaluation team in conducting interviews, focus groups, surveys, and site visits; ensure ethical and participatory data collection approaches.
• Analysis, Reporting, and Quality Assurance: Lead the drafting of the draft and final evaluation reports; ensure clarity and evidence-based conclusions; coordinate with team members to integrate thematic expertise into the final report; maintain regular communication with the CPE Manager.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Presentation of Findings: Present key evaluation findings to the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG) and stakeholders; lead discussions on evaluation results and recommendations; facilitate stakeholder engagement throughout the evaluation process.
• Thematic and Evaluation Expertise: Provide technical expertise in areas such as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Adolescents and Youth, or Gender Equality and GBV; contribute to evaluation design, data collection, and analysis.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, demography, population studies, statistics, development studies, or a related field. They should have at least 7 years of experience conducting or managing assessments in international development, with extensive experience in leading complex evaluations for UN organizations or other international entities. Candidates must demonstrate expertise in one of the thematic areas of the country programme and possess in-depth knowledge of theory-based evaluation approaches. They should be able to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods while upholding high-quality standards for evaluation as defined by UNFPA and UNEG. Candidates must also exhibit excellent management and leadership skills, the ability to supervise a young and emerging evaluator, and strong analytical and communication skills.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, demography, population studies, statistics, development studies, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively lead the evaluation process and contribute to the overall objectives of the UNFPA's Country Programme Evaluation.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of experience in conducting or managing assessments in international development. This experience should include extensive involvement in leading complex evaluations commissioned by United Nations organizations or other international organizations and NGOs. The candidate should also have demonstrated expertise in one of the thematic areas of the country programme covered by the evaluation, as well as the ability to analyze and synthesize large volumes of data from diverse sources.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. This proficiency is crucial for effective communication, report writing, and stakeholder engagement throughout the evaluation process. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the context of the evaluation or the populations being assessed.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to be remote, with an anticipated duration of 45 days from April 1, 2025, to November 30, 202

• The Evaluation Team Leader will report to the Head of Office at UNFPA Thailand and will work closely with the CPE Manager. There is expected travel for one trip to Bangkok and Chiang Mai for the fieldwork phase. The compensation for this position includes attractive consultant fees, which will be paid against deliverables-based milestones. UNFPA emphasizes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.