National Evaluation Consultant

Result of ServiceThe National Consultant under the leadership of the Evaluation Team Leader/International Consultant should utilize the templates provided by the CF Evaluation Guidelines and timely submit the deliverables. The quality of deliverables will be assessed by the Evaluation Manager, in consultations with the UN Resident Coordinator as well as members of the Evaluation Steering Committee. Inception Report, containing a preliminary analysis of the CF ToC or, in its absence, reconstruction of the CF ToC; an elaboration of the evaluation approach and methods, including the evaluation design matrix; and a detailed evaluation plan and timeline, including a tentative list of interviews to be arranged or plans for field visits. (First draft April - May 2025) Preliminary findings report or presentation, in a template to be agreed with the Evaluation Manager. (June 2025) Reporting: Draft and final CF Evaluation Report, including the annexes (First draft - July 2025, Second draft - August 2025, Final draft - August 2025) Work LocationTajikistan Expected durationApril - August 2025 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) evaluation will encompass all UN Country Team programmes, including resident, non-resident, and regional entities operating within the UNSDCF in Tajikistan during the 2023-2026 CF cycle. To enhance the evaluation’s strategic impact, a common approach will be applied to assess the UN’s collective contributions as One UN. This includes integrating the evaluations of individual UN entities' Country Programme Documents (CPDs) into the overall UNSDCF evaluation results. While the evaluation will not fully assess individual programmes or projects of UNCT members, it will synthesize findings from previous evaluations conducted by each agency. This comprehensive strategy will provide a clearer understanding of the collective impact of UN entities in promoting development, facilitating a holistic assessment of their contributions to sustainable development in Tajikistan and ensuring alignment with national priorities and the SDGs. The Evaluation Team is made up of an independent, Team Leader/International Consultant and the National Consultant. The International Evaluation Consultant will possess extensive evaluation expertise and a National Consultant with strong expertise on LNOB and cross-cutting issues. The National Consultant under leadership of International Evaluation Consultant contributes to the formulation of the inception report, data collection, analysis, the draft and final evaluation reports. The National Consultant works in full independence from the RCO and UNCT in Tajikistan The National Consultant contributes to the evaluation process substantively through data collection and analysis. He/she will share responsibilities for conducting desk review and interviews and conduct field visits identified and collect data. The evaluation will consist of 3 phases, sprayed over 6 months, with 28 days for the national evaluation consultant. Payments will be correlated with the expected deliverables. 1. Inception Phase (7 days): Initial desk review, Methodological meeting (incl. TOC review), Inception report, Secondary desk review 2. Field Phase (15 days): Field phase data collection, Data analysis 3. Reporting Phase (6 days): First draft, Preliminary findings presentation, Second draft, Final draft, Stakeholder workshop Phase 1. Inception. The National Consultant will assist Evaluation Team Leader/International Consultant on mapping and scoping activities leading to the refinement of the evaluation design and questions that will be reflected in the Inception Report. The National Consultant will support Team Leader/International Consultant on briefing the RC and the Evaluation Manager, agreeing or developing theories of change; and drafting the Inception Report through a consultative process. Phase 2. Data collection and analysis The National consultant will assist international consultant in data collection and analysis phases including all primary and secondary data collection and analysis. Phase 3. Reporting During the reporting phase the Evaluation Team compiles and synthesizes findings and prepares the Evaluation Report. Phase 4 Review and validation The report will be shared with UNCT and Evaluation Steering Committee members who will review and validate outcomes of the evaluation report. Based on the report, the RC/UNCT will draft a management response to address recommendations. Phase 5. Dissemination Evaluation results will be disseminated through required corporate websites. Moreover, a workshop with key stakeholders, including government and civil society will be organized to facilitate discussion on actioning recommendations and integrating findings into the next CF planning cycle. This phase will be carried out by UNCT Tajikistan during the UNSDCF preparation stage (summary of evaluation will be presented at the UNSDCF validation workshop planned in fall 2025). The evaluation will use a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including document reviews, analysis of quantitative secondary data, UNINFO (Joint Work Plan) data, individual interviews with key informants and focus groups, existing evaluations and the synthesis of evaluative evidence e.g. project evaluations, agency-specific evaluations, or other types of discussion to collect data. The CF evaluation should adhere to and be guided by the UNEG Norms and Standards (2016) and the UNEG Ethical Guidelines (2020) at every stage of the evaluation process including but not limited to informed consent of participants, privacy, and confidentiality considerations. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics, International Relations, or related field is required. 5 years of relevant professional experience, including previous substantive involvement in evaluations and/or reviews at programme and/or outcome levels in related fields with international organizations, preferably of other UNDAFs and UNSDCFs is required. Specialized experience and/or methodological/technical knowledge, including some specific data collection and analytical skills, particularly in the following areas: understanding of human rights-based approaches to programming; gender considerations; environmental sustainability, Results Based Management (RBM) principles; logic modelling/logical framework analysis; quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis; participatory approaches; including also on political economy and financing for development is required. Good understanding of the SDGs and their implications for development cooperation Good understanding of the role of the UN System in development cooperation and promotion of human rights, particularly in the context of the Republic Tajikistan is required. Sound knowledge of the country context and in depth understanding of large-scale, strategic programme frameworks/policy documents is required Demonstrated ability to write and communicate clearly is desirable. Excellent report writing skills as well as communication and interviewing skills is desirable. LanguagesFluency in English is an advantage. Knowledge of Russian is required. Fluency in Tajik is an asset. Additional InformationInterested candidates shall submit the technical proposal demonstrating why they are the best suited to carry out the above task. This should include: • CV and a sample of previous works (supported by links If available). • A brief outline of the strengths and expertise highlighting directly relevant experiences to the assignment, including experience and knowledge in the UN programming principles (LNOB, human rights, GEWE, environmental sustainability and resilience, and accountability) • Approach to work/suggested methodology and work-plan • Financial Proposal (inclusive of expenses related to travels and DSA) as required No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.