In line with the 2024 UNFPA Evaluation Policy, the UNFPA India CO is planning to conduct an evaluation of its tenth CP (2023-27). The purpose of the Country Programme Evaluation (CPE) is to strengthen accountability to stakeholders, support evidence-based decision-making, and improve learning. The overall objective of the CPE is to provide an independent assessment of the performance of the CP and to broaden the evidence base for the design of the next programme cycle. 

The evaluation will cover all interventions in the four thematic areas of the CP, which have been implemented across India  during the programme’s period. The thematic areas are described in section 3 of the terms of reference. In addition, the evaluation will also cover cross-cutting issues, such as human rights-based approach, gender equality, disability inclusion, LNOB and transversal functions, such as coordination, monitoring and evaluation, innovation, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships. 

Evaluation team:

The CPE will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team of consultants. They should collectively have the qualifications and experience to design and implement a methodologically robust evaluation and cover all the above-mentioned thematic areas of the CP. The evaluation team will consist of: 

• Team leader: An international consultant with primary responsibility for the design of the evaluation methodology and the coordination of the evaluation team, as described in section 12.1 of the terms of reference. The team leader will also demonstrate the qualifications, experience and skills required to serve as a technical expert for the population dynamics thematic area.
• Thematic experts: National consultants who should demonstrate the qualifications, experience and skills required to serve as technical expert in at least one of the thematic areas, as described in section 12.1 of the terms of reference.
• Young and emerging evaluator: A national consultant (recent university graduate or young evaluation professional with limited experience) who will provide support to the evaluation team throughout the evaluation process, as described in section 12.1 of the terms of reference.]

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The SRHR expert will provide expertise on integrated sexual and reproductive health services, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, maternal health, midwifery and family planning. S/he will contribute to the methodological design of the evaluation and take part in the data collection and analysis work, with overall responsibility of contributions to the evaluation deliverables in her/his thematic area of expertise. S/he will provide substantive inputs throughout the evaluation process by contributing to the development of the evaluation methodology, evaluation work plan and agenda for the field phase, participating in meetings with the CPE manager, UNFPA India CO staff and the ERG. S/he will undertake a document review and conduct interviews and group discussions with stakeholders, as agreed with the evaluation team leader.

The deliverables, tentative workplan and details of the country programme evaluation can be found in the terms of reference.

The provisional allocation of workdays for the SRHR thematic expert will be the following:

Please note the numbers of days in the table are indicative. The final distribution of the volume of work and corresponding number of days for each consultant will be proposed by the evaluation team in the design report and will be subject to the  approval of the CPE manager.

The deliverables, tentative workplan and details of the country programme evaluation can be found in the terms of reference. 

The sexual and  reproductive health expert will report to the CPE Manager and Evaluation Team Leader. The CPE Manager will manage and monitor the progress of the evaluation and payments will be released upon approval by the CPE Manager.

The evaluation team will conduct the CPE under the supervision of the CPE manager in the UNFPA India CO February - September 2026, as indicated in the timeframe of the evaluation in the ToR: section 10 and Annex I].

In compliance with UNFPA evaluation policy (2024), the Regional M&E Adviser in UNFPA APRO will provide guidance and backstopping support to the CPE manager at all stages of the evaluation process. In particular, the Regional M&E Adviser plays a crucial role in the quality assurance of the CPE deliverables.

Travel will be determined based on needs identified notably during the field phase (data collection).

The SRHR Thematic expert of the evaluation team will possess the following  competencies, skills and experience:

• Master’s or post-graduate degree in public health, medicine, health economics and financing, epidemiology, biostatistics, social sciences or a related field.
• At least 7-10 years of experience in monitoring & evaluation, research, conducting reviews, assessment and external evaluations, in the field of reproductive health under domain of public health.
• Sound and updated knowledge of SRHR and relevant government health programmes, including maternal health, family planning, sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
• Ability to ensure ethics and integrity of the evaluation process, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm.
• Ability to consistently integrate human rights and gender perspectives in all phases of the evaluation process.
• Solid knowledge of evaluation approaches and methodology and demonstrated ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to chart out relevant recommendations for future actions based on evidence, emerging trends, and programmatic learnings. 
• Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and spoken).
• Work experience in/good knowledge of the national development context of India.
• Familiarity with UNFPA or other United Nations organizations’ mandates and activities will be an advantage.
• Fluent in written and spoken English. Working knowledge of Hindi speaking and writing will be an advantage.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships

The consultant must have their own laptop. The travel arrangements required during the course of the evaluation will be made by UNFPA. The consultant will receive a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) in accordance with the UNFPA Duty Travel Policy, using applicable United Nations DSA rates for the place of mission. Travel costs will be settled separately from the consultancy fees.