International Consultancy Lead Evaluation Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, with a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is dedicated to achieving three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's work is guided by its strategic plan for 2022-2025, which emphasizes the importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in empowering young people across the Arab region and addressing the challenges they face in accessing accurate information and services.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive evaluation of UNFPA ASRO's CSE programming over the past four years (2021-2024). This evaluation aims to assess the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of CSE initiatives in the Arab region. The consultant will work closely with the Youth team, under the supervision of the Youth Advisor, and in collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation unit, as well as gender and reproductive health units. The evaluation will not only review past performance but also provide actionable recommendations for future programming, ensuring that CSE effectively meets the needs of adolescents and youth in a rapidly changing context. The consultant will utilize a variety of methodologies, including literature reviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and virtual surveys, to gather data and insights.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct 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.
• Critically evaluate the UNFPA ASRO CSE theory of change based on evaluation findings and future projections.
• Identify successful practices and challenges in CSE programming over the past five years.
• Assess the relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the CSE design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design in relation to national strategies and beneficiary needs.
• Provide recommendations to key stakeholders and develop potential future scenarios for CSE access and delivery in the region.
• Prepare an inception report detailing the evaluation plan, methodology, and timeline.
• Conduct data collection and analysis, including virtual meetings with stakeholders and focus groups.
• Draft and finalize the evaluation report, including findings, recommendations, and strategic directions for future CSE programming.
• Facilitate a validation workshop with stakeholders to discuss findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:

• Postgraduate degree in medical sciences, public health, education sciences, or related social sciences.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in medical, social sciences, education, or related fields.
• Proven experience in conducting evaluations of projects and/or programs.
• Previous experience working with UN or international NGOs on sexual and reproductive health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, or youth-related initiatives is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and its implementation is considered an asset.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable recommendations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in a relevant field such as medical sciences, public health, education sciences, or any social sciences degree that aligns with the objectives of the consultancy. This educational background is essential to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health and education, particularly in the context of the Arab region.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience. This experience should encompass work in medical, social sciences, education, or related fields, with a strong emphasis on conducting evaluations of projects and programs. Previous experience with UN agencies or international NGOs focusing on sexual and reproductive health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, or youth initiatives will be considered a significant advantage. Familiarity with the specific challenges and opportunities related to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in the Arab region is also beneficial.

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, conducting interviews, and preparing reports. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will be conducted remotely, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The consultant will be expected to adhere to ethical considerations throughout the evaluation process, including informed consent and confidentiality. The evaluation will cover a period from 2021 to 2024, with specific deliverables outlined in a detailed timeline. The consultant will be responsible for producing an inception report, draft evaluation report, and final evaluation report, along with a policy brief summarizing key findings and recommendations. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.