Principal Evaluator for Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF Project "Strengthening national and regional capacities to reduce the impact of Invasive Alien Species in the Pacific" [GEF ID 9410]

Result of ServiceThe consultant will submit a concise evaluation report. Work LocationHome-Based Expected duration6 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesORGANIZATION SETTING. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. This consultancy is located at Headquarters in the Evaluation Office which reports directly to the Executive Director. The consultant reports to the Evaluation Manager and the Director of the Evaluation Office. THE EVALUATION In line with the UNEP Evaluation Policy and the UNEP Programme 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 target countries. 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 PROJECT The Pacific Ocean covers 165,250,000 square kilometers and includes approximately 30,000 islands. It is the largest ocean in the world covering about 46% of the world’s water surface area and about one third of the total global area. Islands are recognized as having exceptionally high numbers of endemic species, with 15% of bird, reptile and plant species on only 3% of the world’s land area. The conservation significance of islands is highlighted by global analyses showing that 67% of the centres of marine endemism and 70% of coral reef hotspots are centred on islands. After habitat destruction and modification such as logging, on a regional scale this unique flora and fauna is most threatened by Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and in countries where logging and habitat modification have essentially stopped, IAS are the prime threat to native biodiversity. Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) of the Pacific lack national policy, awareness and capacity to effectively deal with IAS. The lack of regional cooperation and coordination is also a major impediment, especially with regard to the management of pathways and the provision of high quality technical support. Failure of one SIDS to effectively manage IAS means that all other islands are at increased risk, especially where one may be a transport hub such as Fiji or Guam. The UNEP/GEF Project ‘Strengthening national and regional capacities to reduce the impact of Invasive Alien Species on globally significant biodiversity in the Pacific’ (GEF ID 9410) aimed to address the IAS problem and its root causes. The project targeted the Marshall Islands, Niue, Tonga, Tuvalu and the broader Pacific region. THE EVALUATION TEAM For this Evaluation, Evaluation Team will consist of a Principal Evaluator and an Evaluation Specialist/ Invasive Alien Species Specialist who will work under the overall responsibility of the Evaluation Office represented by an Evaluation Manager, in consultation with the UNEP Project Manager, Fund Management Officer and the Sub-programme Coordinator for Nature Action . SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES In close consultation with the Evaluation Manager, the Evaluation Consultant will be responsible for the overall management of the Evaluation and timely provision of its outputs, data collection and analysis and report-writing. More specifically: Inception phase of the Evaluation, including: • preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff; • draft the reconstructed Theory of Change of the project; • prepare the evaluation framework; • develop the desk review and interview protocols; • draft the survey protocols (if relevant); • develop and present criteria for country and/or site selection for the evaluation mission; • plan the evaluation schedule; • prepare the Inception Report, incorporating comments until approved by the Evaluation Manager Data collection and analysis phase of the Evaluation, including: • conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners and project stakeholders; • (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. • regularly report back to the Evaluation Manager on progress and inform of any possible problems or issues encountered and; • keep the Project Manager informed of the evaluation progress. Reporting phase, including: • 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; • 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 • 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 • (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: • 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; • communicate in a timely manner with the Evaluation Manager on any issues requiring its attention and intervention. CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS The Evaluation Consultant will be selected and recruited by the UNEP Evaluation Office through an individual consultancy contract. The overall assignment is for 50 days spread over 6 months to be delivered in two contracts as follows: Contract 1: Inception Report (30%); Draft Evaluation Report (30%) Total 60% Contract 2: Final Evaluation Report (20%); Final Portfolio Review Report (20%) Total 40% The Evaluation Consultant 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. Comprehensive terms of reference will be shared with the consultant separately. Qualifications/special skillsA first level university degree in environmental sciences, international development or other relevant political or social sciences area is required and an advanced degree in the same areas is desirable. A minimum of 9 years of technical / evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluating large, regional or global programmes and using a Theory of Change approach; A good/broad understanding of Invasive Alien Species prevention and management is desired. Working knowledge of the UN system and specifically the work of UNEP is an added advantage LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is a requirement. Additional InformationNot available. 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.