Specific Tasks and responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of the project manager, the consultant has the responsibility to conduct the following activities:
• Inception phase of the evaluation: Preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff; - Prepare the evaluation framework using the UNEP Programme Manual;
• Develop the desk review and interview protocols;
• Draft the survey protocols if relevant;
• Plan the evaluation schedule;
• Prepare the Inception report, attending to feedback/comments received
• Data collection and analysis phase of the Evaluation, including: Assess the activities of the project based on the project activities
• Conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners and project stakeholders; - Identify, liaise and interview project partners and stakeholders. Ensure independence of the Evaluation and confidentiality of evaluation interviews.
• Regularly report back to the project 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 Mid-term Evaluation Report, ensuring that the evaluation report is complete, coherent and consistent with guidelines provided by the project manager, both in substance and style;
• Liaise with the project manager on comments received and finalize the Mid-term Evaluation Report, ensuring that comments are taken into account until approved by the project manager;
• Prepare a Response to Comments annex for the mid-term report, listing those comments not accepted by the Evaluation Consultant and indicating the reason for the rejection; and
• 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.

Qualifications/special skills

• An M.Sc. degree in environmental sciences, natural resources management or a similar related field is required.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in project review, planning, monitoring and evaluation is required.
• Proven expertise and experience in evaluating the impact of projects/programmes is required.
• Experience in evaluating projects/programmes in the UN system and in a government/intergovernmental setting is desirable.
• Proven expertise and experience in assessing projects/programmes related to sustainable development goals is desirable.