Consultant for Evaluation of Adaptation Fund Project

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Program, commonly known as UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements. Established by the UN General Assembly, UN-Habitat aims to provide adequate shelter for all and supports Member States in developing sustainable cities and human settlements through its normative and operational work at various levels. The organization operates globally, engaging with stakeholders and partners to link policy development with capacity-building activities, thereby promoting cohesive social, economic, and environmental policies in human settlements. UN-Habitat also monitors and reports on global progress related to the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Additionally, the agency's work is supported by global agreements such as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and it plays a crucial role in financing adaptation projects through the Adaptation Fund, which was established in 2007 to assist developing countries vulnerable to climate change effects.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive evaluation of a project funded by the Adaptation Fund, aimed at enhancing climate change resilience in Eastern Ghouta, Syria. This evaluation will assess the project's relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, impact, and coherence, particularly in relation to improving conditions for target communities. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Chief of the Independent Evaluation Unit and will be responsible for evaluating the project's performance against its objectives and expected outcomes. The evaluation will also involve assessing project management modalities, partnerships, and resource adequacy, as well as how cross-cutting issues such as gender equality and human rights were integrated into the project. The findings from this evaluation will be shared with UN-Habitat, UNDP, FAO, and other stakeholders to inform future initiatives and strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will perform several key tasks, including: (i) Assessing the performance of the project in achieving its objectives and expected outcomes; (ii) Evaluating the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, impact, and coherence of the project in improving conditions for target communities; (iii) Analyzing project management modalities, partnerships, and resource adequacy, and how these factors have influenced project effectiveness; (iv) Evaluating the integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, youth, and human rights within the project framework; (v) Identifying lessons learned from the project and providing strategic, programmatic, and management recommendations to enhance climate resilience in Eastern Ghouta.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced academic degree in political sciences, communication, information technology, sociology, or a related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field combined with an additional two years of work experience may be considered. A minimum of seven years of experience is required, with a strong understanding of Adaptation Fund operations and its relevance within the UN system. Extensive evaluation experience is essential, along with the ability to present credible findings supported by evidence. Knowledge of climate change issues is crucial, and prior experience evaluating Adaptation Fund projects is highly desirable. Familiarity with UN-Habitat's mandate and operations is also preferred.

Educational Background:
An advanced academic degree in political sciences, communication, information technology, sociology, or another relevant field is required. In lieu of an advanced degree, a related Bachelor's degree with an additional two years of relevant work experience will be considered acceptable.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of relevant experience, particularly in areas related to the Adaptation Fund and its operations. This experience should include extensive evaluation work, demonstrating the ability to derive credible findings from evidence and support conclusions and recommendations with solid evidence.

Languages:
Fluency in written and oral English is required for this position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in French is also beneficial and considered an asset for this role.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for approximately 1.5 months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization also does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.