International Consultant - Evaluation Team leader

The Position:

The evaluation team leader will hold the overall responsibility for the design and implementation of the Evaluation of the second phase of the UK ISF Project “Strengthening prevention and response to violence against women and girls in Central Asia” 2022-2023 FY; 2023-2024 FY; 2024-2025 FY. 

The evaluation will be implemented in line with the UNFPA Evaluation Handbook. The Handbook provides practical guidance for managing and conducting evaluations to ensure the production of quality evaluations in line with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) norms and standards and international good practice for evaluation.  It offers step-by-step guidance to prepare methodologically robust evaluations and sets out the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders at all stages of the evaluation process. The Handbook includes links to a number of tools, resources and templates that provide practical guidance on specific activities and tasks that the evaluators and the evaluation manager perform during the different evaluation phases. The evaluators, the Evaluation manager, CO staff and other engaged stakeholders are required to follow the full guidance of the Handbook throughout the evaluation process.

The main audience and primary intended users of the evaluation are: (i) The UNFPA Kazakhstan COs; (ii) the Government of the United Kingdom (UK ISF project team); (iii) implementing partners of the UNFPA Kazakhstan CO. The evaluation results will also be of interest to a wider group of stakeholders, including: (i) UNFPA headquarters divisions, branches and offices; (ii) the UNFPA Executive Board; (iii) the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), (iv) academia; and (v) local civil society organizations and international NGOs. The evaluation results will be disseminated as appropriate, using traditional and digital channels of communication.

You will report to Project Coordinator

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

To take a lead for conducting an Evaluation of the second phase of the UK ISF Project “Strengthening prevention and response to violence against women and girls in Central Asia” 2022-2023 FY; 2023-2024 FY; 2024-2025 FY
More detailed information on the purpose, objectives and scope is provided in the attached  TOR 
 

You would be responsible for:

S/he will be responsible for the production and timely submission of all expected deliverables in line with the ToR. S/he will lead and coordinate the work of the evaluation team and ensure the quality of all evaluation deliverables at all stages of the process. The Evaluation manager will provide methodological guidance to the evaluation team in developing the design report, in particular, but not limited to, defining the evaluation approach, methodology and work plan, as well as the agenda for the field phase. S/he will lead the drafting and presentation of the design report and the draft and final evaluation report, and play a leading role in meetings with the ERG and the COs. The team leader will also be responsible for communication with the Evaluation manager. Beyond her/his responsibilities as team leader, the evaluation team leader will serve as technical expert for one of the thematic areas of the Project described below. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

●    Master’s degree in social sciences, statistics, development studies or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

●    At least 15 years’ experience in M&E assignments in the field of international development.
●    Extensive (at least 10 years) experience in leading complex evaluations commissioned by United Nations organizations and/or other international organizations and NGOs.
●    Demonstrated expertise in one of the thematic areas of the UK ISF Project covered by the evaluation (see expert profiles below).
●    In-depth knowledge of Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation Approaches and ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and to uphold high quality standards for evaluation as defined by UNFPA and UNEG.
●    Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
●    Excellent ability to analyze and synthesize large volumes of data and information from diverse sources.
●    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and spoken).
●    Work experience in/good knowledge of the region and the national development context of Central Asia
 

Languages: 

●    Fluent in written and spoken English and knowledge of Russian is an asset. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Core Competencies: 

Functional Competencies:

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) work

AI technologies cannot be used in the framework of this contract unless a prior written agreement is obtained from the IEO. Upon this prior agreement, the consultant is obligated to disclose the utilization of AI tools in evaluation and commits to upholding ethical standards and accuracy in the application of AI tools.
1.    Prior approval for utilization of AI tools: The use of AI tools must be explicitly agreed upon and approved in writing by the IEO Director.
2.    Declaration of the utilization of AI tools: If the use of AI tools in evaluation is agreed upon with the IEO, the consultant must be transparent and declare the use of AI tools in evaluation work and other work-related tasks, specifying the nature of AI usage. The AI tools utilized in work-related tasks must include only those tools that are vetted by the IEO. 
3.    Verification of accuracy: The consultant commits to diligently checking the accuracy of AI-generated results and assumes full responsibility for its reliability and validity.
4.    Ethical and responsible use: The consultant is obligated to uphold ethical principles in the use of AI in work-related tasks, as well as relevant regulations that govern the use of AI in the UN system. This includes the Digital & Technology Network Guidance on the Use of Generative AI Tools in the UN System,  Principles for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in the United Nations System, and UNFPA Information Security Policy. The consultant commits to employing AI tools that adhere to principles of non-discrimination, fairness, transparency, and accountability. The consultant will adopt an approach that aligns with the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’, ensuring that AI tool usage avoids exclusion or disadvantage to any group.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.