International Consultancy - Young Evaluator

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that 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 workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results by 2025: 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, which emphasizes the importance of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in empowering young people across the globe, particularly in the Arab region where there is a growing demand for such education.

Job Overview:
The position of Young Evaluator is crucial for the evaluation of UNFPA ASRO's Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) programming over the past four years (2021-2024). 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 aims to assess the performance of CSE programs, focusing on their relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive evaluation that includes literature reviews, data collection, and analysis of CSE initiatives across 14 countries in the Arab region, with in-depth analysis of five specific countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine. The evaluation will also identify lessons learned and provide actionable recommendations for future programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Young Evaluator 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.
• Evaluating the UNFPA ASRO CSE theory of change based on findings and future projections.
• Identifying successful practices and challenges in CSE programming over the past five years.
• Assessing the relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the CSE design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design.
• Providing recommendations to key stakeholders and developing potential future scenarios for CSE access and delivery in the region.
• Supporting the lead consultant in data collection, including interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders and youth.
• Co-facilitating a validation workshop to present findings and gather feedback.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in a relevant field such as medical sciences, public health, education sciences, or social sciences. They should have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in medical, social sciences, education sciences, or related fields. Previous experience in conducting evaluations of projects or programs is essential, along with familiarity with UN or INGO work in sexual and reproductive health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, or youth initiatives. Experience focusing on CSE aspects is considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate excellent analytical and writing skills, as well as familiarity with UNFPA's mandate.

Educational Background:
A postgraduate degree in a relevant field is required for this position. This could include degrees in medical sciences, public health, education sciences, or any social sciences discipline that aligns with the responsibilities of the consultancy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience. This experience should ideally include conducting evaluations of projects or programs, particularly in the fields of sexual and reproductive health, education, or youth programming. Previous work with UN agencies or international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) is highly desirable, especially if it involves CSE or related areas.

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 and reporting throughout the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will be conducted remotely, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The evaluation process will include a comprehensive desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and virtual surveys. The consultant will ensure adherence to ethical considerations, including informed consent and confidentiality. The deliverables include an inception report, draft evaluation report, final evaluation report, and a policy brief summarizing key findings and recommendations. The evaluation is expected to be completed by June 2025, with a validation workshop to be held in July 202

• UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.