Evaluation Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN reform agenda aimed at enhancing gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM, which focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to enhance organizational accountability, provide evidence-based information for decision-making, and contribute to learning on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization employs a diverse workforce and is committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects diversity.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Consultant will play a crucial role within the UN Women Independent Evaluation Service (IES), which evaluates the work of UN Women to enhance accountability and provide evidence-based information for decision-making. The consultant will be responsible for leading independent evaluations and supporting country office personnel in managing decentralized evaluations. This position requires the consultant to work both home-based and in the field, connecting with the evaluation team during West and Central Africa working hours via online platforms. The consultant will engage in various phases of evaluations, including planning, inception, data collection, and reporting, ensuring that all deliverables meet the high standards set by UN Women.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Consultant will be integral to the evaluation team and will contribute to all phases of the evaluation process. Responsibilities include reviewing relevant documents to identify efforts related to the evaluation topic, conducting portfolio analysis, leading stakeholder analysis, developing inclusive evaluation methodologies, conducting interviews and consultations, analyzing evaluation data, and providing substantive inputs to final reports. The consultant will also be responsible for producing high-quality deliverables such as desk reviews, stakeholder analyses, interview notes, and final synthesis reports, all in accordance with the GERAAS criteria established by UN Women.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Social Sciences, Gender Equality, Evaluation, or International Affairs. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The consultant should have a strong understanding of gender-responsive evaluation and experience in gender analysis and human rights-based approaches. Knowledge of UN Women’s role and programming at the regional or country level is advantageous, as is experience working in the West and Central Africa region.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required, with a focus on areas such as Social Sciences, Gender Equality, Evaluation, or International Affairs. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by sufficient relevant experience, demonstrating the candidate's capability to perform the required tasks effectively.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial work experience contributing to gender-responsive evaluations or possess experience in gender analysis and human rights-based approaches. Familiarity with the UN system and its programming, coordination, and normative roles at the regional or country level is considered an asset. Experience specifically within the West and Central Africa region is also beneficial, as it aligns with the geographical focus of the evaluations.

Languages:
Proficiency in both English and French is required for this position, as these languages are essential for effective communication and collaboration within the evaluation team and with stakeholders in the region. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The consultant will be engaged under a Special Service Agreement (SSA) contract, which will be aligned with organizational needs and the consultant's expertise. The position is expected to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel as required by the evaluation process. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure adherence to UN Women’s standards of conduct.