Vacancy Announcement Details

THE EVALUATION

In line with the UNEP Evaluation Policy and the UNEP Programme and Project Management Manual, the Terminal Evaluation is undertaken at operational completion of the project to assess project performance (in terms of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency), and determine outcomes and impacts (actual and potential) stemming from the project, including their sustainability. The Evaluation has two primary purposes: (i) to provide evidence of results to meet accountability requirements, and (ii) to promote operational improvement, learning and knowledge sharing through results and lessons learned among UNEP and relevant partners of the UNEP/GEF project ”Piloting Innovative Investments for Sustainable Landscapes” and the UNEP “Land Use Finance” Project. Therefore, the Evaluation will identify lessons of operational relevance for future project formulation and implementation, especially where a second phase of the project is being considered. Recommendations relevant to the whole house may also be identified during the evaluation process.

THE EVALUATION TEAM

The Evaluation Team will consist of a Principal Evaluator and two Evaluation Specialists who will work under the overall responsibility of the Evaluation Office represented by an Evaluation Manager, in liaison with the Director of the Evaluation Office, in consultation with the Project Task Manager and Focal Point for the Evaluations, and Fund Management Officers in Ecosystems Division, and the Sub-programme Coordinator of Nature Action (formerly Healthy and productive ecosystems).

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Specific Responsibilities for the Evaluation Specialists: The Evaluation Specialist 1, a data specialist, will make substantive and high-quality contributions to the evaluation process and outputs. The evaluation team consultants will ensure together that all evaluation criteria and questions are adequately covered.

Responsibilities of the Evaluation Team during the main phases of the evaluation pertain to: Inception phase of the Evaluation, including:

1. preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff;
2. draft the reconstructed Theory of Change of the project;
3. prepare the evaluation framework;
4. develop the desk review and interview protocols;
5. draft the survey protocols (if relevant);
6. develop and present criteria for country and/or site selection for the evaluation mission;
7. plan the evaluation schedule;
8. prepare the Inception Report, incorporating comments until approved by the Evaluation Manager

Data collection and analysis phase of the Evaluation, including:

1. conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners and project stakeholders;
2. (where appropriate and agreed) conduct an evaluation mission(s) to selected countries, visit the project locations, interview project partners and stakeholders, including a good representation of local communities. Ensure independence of the Evaluation and confidentiality of evaluation interviews.
3. regularly report back to the Evaluation Manager on progress and inform of any possible problems or issues encountered and;
4. keep the Project Manager informed of the evaluation progress.

Reporting phase, including:

1. draft the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring that the evaluation report is complete, coherent and consistent with the Evaluation Manager guidelines both in substance and style;
2. liaise with the Evaluation Manager on comments received and finalize the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring that comments are taken into account until approved by the Evaluation Manager
3. prepare a Response to Comments annex for the main report, listing those comments not accepted by the Evaluation Consultant and indicating the reason for the rejection; and
4. (where agreed with the Evaluation Manager) prepare an Evaluation Brief (2-page summary of the evaluand and the key evaluation findings and lessons)

Managing relations, including:

1. maintain a positive relationship with evaluation stakeholders, ensuring that the evaluation process is as participatory as possible but at the same time maintains its independence;
2. communicate in a timely manner with the Evaluation Manager on any issues requiring its attention and intervention.

The work will be home-based with possible field visits. The Evaluation Specialist shall have had no prior involvement in the formulation or implementation of the project and will be independent from the participating institutions. The consultant will sign the Evaluation Consultant Code of Conduct Agreement Form. The Evaluation Specialist will be selected and recruited by the UNEP Evaluation Office through an individual consultancy contract. Comprehensive terms of reference will be shared with the consultant separately.

Full details available on the UNEP website. Application deadline 5 August.