Senior evaluation consultant

​​Requisition ID: 4319 
Grade: ISA-Senior Specialist 
Country: Home Based 
Duty Station: Home Based 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Application Deadline: 15-Oct-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)  

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The UNIDO Independent Evaluation Unit (EIO/IEU) is responsible for the independent evaluation function of UNIDO. It supports learning, continuous improvement and accountability, and provides evidence-based analysis and assessment on result and practices that feed into the programmatic and strategic decision-making processes. Independent evaluations provide credible, reliable and useful assessment that enables the timely incorporation of findings, recommendations and lessons learned into the decision-making processes at organization-wide, programme and project level. EIO/IEU is guided by the UNIDO Evaluation Policy, which is aligned to the norms and standards for evaluation in the UN system.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Detailed background information of the project can be found the terms of reference (TOR) for the terminal evaluation.

The senior evaluation consultant/team leader will evaluate the project in accordance with the evaluation-related terms of reference (TOR). S/he will perform, inter alia, the following main tasks:

1. Review project documentation and relevant country background information (national/regional policies and strategies, UN strategies and general economic data).
2. Define technical issues and questions to be addressed by the national technical evaluator prior to the field visit.
3. Determine key data to collect in the field and adjust the key data collection instrument if needed.
4. In coordination with the project manager, the project management team and the national technical evaluator, determine the suitable sites to be visited and stakeholders to be interviewed.
5. Based on consultations with the project management team and funding partner representatives, identify the key evaluation questions and prioritize evaluation criteria to be assessed in depth.
6. Prepare an inception report summarizing these expectations and identify the methods to be used and data to be collected, confirm the evaluation methodology, draft a theory of change, and provide a tentative workplan.
7. Provide guidance to the national technical evaluator to prepare initial draft of output analysis and review technical inputs prepared by national evaluator, prior to field mission.
8. Conduct interviews online.
9. Support the National Evaluation Consultant in conducting the interviews in the field.
10. Conduct survey, if deemed useful.
11. Conduct additional literature review, if necessary.
12. Coordinate the inputs from the national technical evaluator and draft the evaluation report. 
13. Share the evaluation report with UNIDO project management team, funding partner representatives and national stakeholders for feedback and comments.
14. Present overall findings, conclusions and recommendations to the stakeholders, , in a debriefing meeting.
15. Revise the draft project evaluation report based on verifiable verbal and written comments from key evaluation stakeholders.
16. Conduct final edit of language and formatting according to UNIDO standards and templates, and submit report to the IEU evaluation manager.
17. Coordinate and supervise the work of the evaluation team.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, environment, energy, engineering, sciences, agro-industries, development studies or other relevant discipline with specialization in fisheries is required.

Technical and functional experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in evaluation of development projects and programmes at international level, including 5 years at senior level is required.
• Experience in leading and conducting high-level, strategic or complex evaluations for UN organizations and international development banks/organizations.
• Good working knowledge in Sudan.
• Knowledge about multilateral technical cooperation and the UN, international development priorities and frameworks.
• Familiarity with gender analysis tools and methodologies an asset.
• Familiarity with social and environmental analysis, tools and methodologies is an asset.
• Experience in the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. All reports and related documents must be in English and presented in electronic format.

Absence of conflict of interest:

According to UNIDO rules, the consultant must not have been involved in the design and/or implementation, supervision and coordination of and/or have benefited from the programme/project (or theme) under evaluation. The consultant will be requested to sign a declaration that none of the above situations exists and that the consultants will not seek assignments with the manager/s in charge of the project before the completion of her/his contract with the UNIDO Independent Evaluation Unit.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core values

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Core competencies

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level. 

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org