National Evaluation Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting mutual respect and equality in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The National Evaluation Consultant will play a crucial role in the final evaluation of a project funded by the Government of Kazakhstan, aimed at implementing the Concept of Family and Gender Policy to ensure gender equality and empower women and girls. This position involves assessing the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, and sustainability of the project, which is part of a broader initiative to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality. The consultant will work closely with an international consultant and will be responsible for providing insights on gender equality and women's empowerment, conducting research, and analyzing data related to the project. The evaluation process will adhere to UN Women’s Independent Evaluation Office guidance and will be conducted in a human rights and gender-responsive manner. The consultant will also engage with national partners and stakeholders to gather data and insights that will inform the evaluation findings and recommendations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Evaluation Consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Providing expert advice on gender equality and women's empowerment, particularly in relation to the program's normative and legal frameworks.
• Conducting thorough research and analysis of relevant documentation and data to support the evaluation process.
• Liaising with national counterparts to conduct interviews and gather additional data as needed.
• Supporting the evaluation team leader in all stages of the evaluation, ensuring that deliverables are prepared in a timely and high-quality manner.
• Assisting in the synthesis of evaluation evidence and drafting reports that reflect the findings and recommendations of the evaluation.
• Engaging with stakeholders to ensure that the evaluation process is inclusive and considers diverse perspectives.
• Contributing to the development of a joint Management Response to the evaluation recommendations in consultation with key partners.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the National Evaluation Consultant position should possess the following qualifications:

• A strong understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment issues, particularly in the context of Kazakhstan.
• Proven experience in conducting evaluations, particularly gender-responsive and human rights-based evaluations.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and reporting skills, with the ability to produce high-quality evaluation reports.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A commitment to quality and deadlines, with a focus on delivering impactful results.
• Familiarity with the United Nations system and its evaluation norms and standards will be considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold at least a master’s degree in social sciences, international relations, gender studies, or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively assess gender equality initiatives and their impact.

Experience:
Candidates should have over 5 years of relevant experience in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE). This includes previous involvement in gender-responsive evaluations and applied research, utilizing a variety of approaches and methods. Experience working with the United Nations system is highly desirable, as it provides valuable insights into the operational context and evaluation standards expected in this role.

Languages:
Excellent written and spoken Russian is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with national partners and stakeholders. Additionally, a working knowledge of English will be considered an asset, as it may facilitate collaboration with international team members and access to broader resources.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The contract duration aligns with the project timeline, which spans from September 2022 to May 202

• The consultant will be expected to engage in data collection and evaluation activities during the evaluation period, which is scheduled for March to September 202
• The role is expected to be full-time during the evaluation phase, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel to Kazakhstan for data collection and stakeholder engagement.