Evaluation Consultant for Terminal Evaluation of UNEP/GEF project "Systemic, institutional and [...]

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the UN system entity designated to address 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 and reports directly to the Executive Director and the Evaluation Officer managing the evaluation.

South Sudan lacks foundational laws governing the management of environment and forestry resources. Environmental governance is currently managed through ministerial decrees based on the 2012 Forestry and 2015 Environment Policies. Despite joining the United Nations Rio Conventions (CBD, UNFCCC, and UNCCD) in 2014, South Sudan has struggled to meet its obligations due to three primary capacity gaps identified in the 2017 National Capacity Self‐Assessment. The UNEP‐GEF Project "Systemic, Institutional and Individual Capacity for the Implementation of the Rio Conventions in the Republic of South Sudan" (GEF ID 9815) aims to enhance systemic, institutional, and individual capacities of South Sudan communities toward environment‐friendly and sustainable development through three components: environmental knowledge management, coordination and engagement, and policy integration.

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. It assesses project performance in terms of relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency, and determines outcomes and impacts, including their sustainability. The evaluation's purposes are to provide evidence of results to meet accountability requirements and to promote operational improvement, learning, and knowledge sharing.

For this evaluation, the team will consist of an Evaluation Consultant who works 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

• Inception Phase
  • Conduct preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff.
  • Draft the reconstructed Theory of Change of the project.
  • Prepare the evaluation framework.
  • Develop desk review and interview protocols.
  • Draft survey protocols, if relevant.
  • Develop 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
  • Conduct further desk review and in‐depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, partners, and stakeholders.
  • When appropriate and agreed, conduct an evaluation mission to selected countries, visit project locations, interview partners and stakeholders, and ensure independence and confidentiality of interviews.
  • Report progress regularly to the Evaluation Manager and inform of any potential problems or issues.
  • Keep the Project/Task Manager informed of evaluation progress.
• Reporting Phase
  • Draft the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring completeness, coherence, and consistency with Management guidelines.
  • Liaise with the Evaluation Manager on comments and finalize the report until approved.
  • Prepare a Response to Comments annex for the main report, listing comments not accepted and indicating reasons for rejection.
  • (Where agreed) Prepare an Evaluation Brief (2‐page summary of the evaluand and key findings).
• Managing Relations
  • Maintain a positive relationship with evaluation stakeholders, ensuring a participatory process while preserving independence.
  • Communicate timely with the Evaluation Manager on any issues requiring attention and intervention.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, international development, or related fields is required. A first‐level degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• A minimum of seven years of technical or evaluation experience, preferably including large, regional, or global programmes and use of a Theory of Change approach, is required.
• A good understanding of biodiversity and sustainable resource management is required.
• Knowledge of the UN system and UNEP work is desirable.

Languages

• English is required for fluency. French is a working language of the UN Secretariat and is desirable.

Contractual Arrangements

The Evaluation Specialist will be selected and recruited by the UNEP Evaluation Office through an individual consultancy contract. The assignment duration is 46 days spread over 8 months: Inception Report (30%), Draft report (40%), Final Evaluation Report (30%). The consultant shall be independent and sign the Evaluation Consultant Code of Conduct Agreement Form. Comprehensive terms of reference will be shared separately.

Application

Apply through the UN Careers website. The application deadline is 8 June 2026.

EEO Statement

The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.