International Consultancy Lead Evaluation Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure that every individual has access to sexual and reproductive health services, education, and rights. The organization emphasizes gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, aiming to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 outlines transformative results that guide its initiatives globally, particularly in the Arab region, where it is actively involved in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) programs.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultancy Lead Evaluation Consultant involves conducting a comprehensive evaluation of UNFPA ASRO's Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) programming in the Arab region from 2021 to 202

• The consultant will assess the performance of CSE initiatives, focusing on their relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. The evaluation aims to generate actionable findings that will inform future programming and enhance the delivery of quality CSE to adolescents and youth. The consultant will work closely with the Youth team, under the supervision of the Youth Advisor, and collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation unit, as well as gender and reproductive health units. The consultancy will be conducted remotely, allowing for flexibility in data collection and stakeholder engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Developing an inception report that outlines the evaluation plan, methodology, and timeline.
• Conducting a literature review of current CSE initiatives in the Arab region, including an inventory of programs across in-school, out-of-school, and digital domains.
• Analyzing trends, challenges, and opportunities related to youth, technology, and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in the region.
• Evaluating the UNFPA ASRO CSE theory of change and identifying areas for improvement.
• Assessing the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of CSE programs in relation to national strategies and beneficiary needs.
• Conducting key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and virtual surveys to gather qualitative and quantitative data.
• Developing a draft evaluation report and facilitating a validation workshop with stakeholders.
• Finalizing the evaluation report, including findings, recommendations, and strategic directions for future CSE programming.
• Preparing a policy brief summarizing the desk review and actionable recommendations for decision-makers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in a relevant field such as medical sciences, public health, education sciences, or social sciences. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in medical, social sciences, education, or related fields is required. Previous experience in conducting evaluations of projects or programs, particularly in the context of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), is essential. Familiarity with Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and experience working with UN or international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) will be considered assets. Candidates should demonstrate excellent analytical and writing skills, as well as a strong understanding of UNFPA's mandate.

Educational Background:
A postgraduate degree in medical sciences, public health, education sciences, or any relevant social sciences degree is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of sexual and reproductive health issues and the educational frameworks necessary for effective CSE programming.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience. This experience should include conducting evaluations of projects and programs, particularly in the fields of sexual and reproductive health, education, or youth programming. Previous work with UN agencies or international NGOs focused on adolescent sexual and reproductive health is highly desirable, as is experience specifically related to Comprehensive Sexuality Education.

Languages:
A very good command of English and Arabic, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the preparation of evaluation reports and other deliverables.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will be conducted remotely, allowing for flexibility in the evaluation process. The consultant will be expected to adhere to ethical considerations throughout the evaluation, including informed consent and confidentiality. The evaluation will include a comprehensive desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and virtual surveys. The final evaluation report should not exceed 30 pages, excluding annexes, and a policy brief summarizing the findings and recommendations will also be required. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.