Evaluation Consultant for Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP project ‘‘Implementing the Global Strategy for Sustainable Consumption and Production - EC 10YFP Phase III And EC 10YFP Phase II’

The Evaluation Team will submit a concise evaluation report. Actual duration of the assignment is 64 days ( within a period of 9 months) to be delivered as follows: Inception Report (30%) Draft report [including two performance rating tables and annex] (40%) Final Evaluation Report (30%)

Home based with field visits

9 months

ORGANIZATION 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 the 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 PROJECT Science has been clear on the urgency to accelerate a structural transformation of the way we consume and produce and address the three interdependent global crises the world is facing: depletion of natural resources and biodiversity, climate change and increasing pollution. Reversing those trends have required actions to address the challenges that are preventing Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) from becoming the norm worldwide, at least at three levels: public investments and private finance, which are currently not sufficiently integrating resource efficiency and circular economy goals; high-impact sectors, where sustainable consumption and production remains marginal, with policies, business models and demand that continue promoting unsustainable options and practices; natural resource use and material footprint, which continue to increase, together with waste generation, and their impacts on climate, biodiversity and pollution. The factors that contributed to those challenges are diverse and numerous, and relate to institutions, infrastructure, policies, technical capacities, market dynamics, scientific data and knowledge, societal values and aspirations, as well as to the support systems, including the United Nations, that aimed at supporting countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development. SCP has become well embedded in the global agenda for sustainable development since the establishment of the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on SCP Patterns (10YFP). The objective of the 10YFP project phase I (2016-2019) was to support the strategic, action-oriented and coherent delivery of the 10YFP for the shift towards SCP patterns at all levels, through continuous and strengthened secretariat functions and services. Despite the many initiatives and achievements under the 10YFP, it’s One Planet Network and beyond, efforts have not been sufficient to turn the tide, and the international community was not on track to achieve the objectives it has set for itself under the 2030 Agenda and Multilateral Environmental Agreements. To respond these challenges, the project “Secretariat services to support the delivery of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production – Phase II was developed and implemented. Building on the progress and assets developed by the One Planet Network—its global programmes, partnerships, science policy interface and monitoring platforms, the Project Phase III, “Implementing the Global Strategy for Sustainable Consumption and Production through the One Planet Network’’ funded by multiple donors including European commissions intended to address the persistent obstacles, challenges and the underlying factors that are still slowing down the shift to SCP. As a response, strengthening institutional capacities, integrating SCP into national and sectoral policies, and improving access to scientific data are essential to guide public investments and reduce the risks and uncertainties associated with the transition. The project also aimed to respond to the need for a coherent, institutionalized global cooperation space supported by reliable data and an accessible narrative that positions SCP as an opportunity for well being, prosperity and resilience. Importantly, it has integrated gender equality as both a condition and an objective, recognizing that addressing structural barriers to women’s economic empowerment is vital for inclusive and effective SCP outcomes. By tackling these systemic challenges, the project aimed to support countries in achieving SDG 12 and advancing the broader 2030 Agenda. THE EVALUATION In line with the UNEP Evaluation Policy and the UNEP Programme and Project Management 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 the main project partners. 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 evaluation will focus on interventions, results, and outcomes funded by European commissions, covering Phase II and Phase III. THE EVALUATION TEAM For this Evaluation, the Evaluation Team will consist of an Evaluation Consultant who will work under the overall responsibility of the Evaluation Office represented by an Evaluation Manager, in consultation with the UNEP Task Manager, Fund Management Officer and the Subprogramme Coordinator. Specific responsibilities for the Evaluation Consultant: 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: 1. Inception phase of the Evaluation, including: • preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff; • draft the reconstructed Theory of Changes of the project (Phase II and III of EC funded component in the main report and of the entire projects in Annex); • 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. 2. 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 the independence of the Evaluation and the 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/Task Manager informed of the evaluation progress. 3. Reporting phase, including: • draft the Main Evaluation Report including two performance rating tables for each phase of EC funded projects, ensuring that the evaluation report is complete, coherent and consistent with the Evaluation Manager guidelines both in substance and style; • include an Annex summarizing the UNEP 10YFP project, together with its rating tables, addressing strategic questions related to the UNEP 10YFP project across both phases; • 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). 4. 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 attention and intervention. 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. The Evaluation Consultant will be selected and recruited by the UNEP Evaluation Office through a consultancy contract. Comprehensive terms of reference will be shared with the consultant separately.

An advanced degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Circular Economy & Sustainability, Industrial Ecology or Sustainable Resource Management, International Development or other relevant political or social sciences area is required. A first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent), in the same fields, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. A minimum of seven (7) years of technical and/or evaluation experience preferably including evaluating large, regional or global programmes, multilateral framework programmes/projects and using a Theory of Change approach is required. A good/broad understanding of sustainable consumption and production and circular economy is required. Excellent analytical and drafting skills with ability to present findings clearly is required. Experience evaluating the secretariat related projects/programmes, global partnership/network projects/programmes is desirable. Knowledge of the UN system and specifically the work of UNEP is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in English is required.

Not available.

THE 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.