Principal Evaluator for the Evaluation of the UNEP Sub-Programme on Chemicals and Pollution Action at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Specific Responsibilities for the Principal Evaluator:

The Principal Evaluator will be responsible, in close consultation with the Evaluation Manager, for overall management of the evaluation and timely delivery of its outputs. Roles will include:

Inception phase of the evaluation, including:

• Map out the projects in the SP-CPA portfolio and assess how they contribute to the PoW (2014/2015, 2016/17, 2018/19, 2020/2021 and 2022/2023) results and indicators. Identify the projects that have the greatest impact on each subprogramme's indicators;
• Get the list of project preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff;
• draft the reconstructed Theory of Change of the SP-Chemicals and Pollution Action; o prepare the evaluation framework; o develop the desk review and interview protocols;
• draft the survey protocols (if relevant);
• develop and present criteria for selection of Chemicals and Pollution Action initiatives for in-depth study;
• plan the evaluation schedule; o prepare the Inception Report, incorporating comments until approved by the Evaluation Manager.
• Data collection and analysis phase of the evaluation, including: o conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners, and project stakeholders;  
• regularly report back to the Evaluation Manager on progress and inform of any possible problems or issues encountered and;
• keep the Evaluation Manager informed of the evaluation progress and engage the Sub-Programme Coordinator of Chemicals and Pollution Action in discussions on emerging findings throughout the evaluation process.
• Reporting phase, including:
• draft the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring that the evaluation report is complete, coherent, and consistent with the Evaluation Manager guidelines both in substance and style;
• 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(s) and indicating the reason for the rejection.

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.
• The evaluation consultant shall have had no prior involvement in the formulation or implementation of the Sub-Programme during the period being reviewed from 2015 to 2023 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 an individual Special Service Agreement (SSA) consultancy contract. Comprehensive terms of reference will be shared with consultant separately.

Qualifications/special skills

• A first level university degree in environmental sciences, international development or other relevant political or social sciences area is required.
• An advanced degree in the same areas is desirable.
• A minimum of 10 years of technical / evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluating large, regional or global programmes and using a Theory of Change approach; Advanced knowledge and experience in the following fields desirable:
• Chemicals, waste, and air quality;
• Chemicals and pollution related Multilateral Environmental Agreements, regional and national policy processes;
• Change management;
• UN policy work and country support;
• The UN system, in particular UNEP and partner agencies of the SP-CPA;
• Programme and project management;
• Partnerships development, including with the private sector, and knowledge management.

Deadline : Apr 24, 2024