Consultant Openings at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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.

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The consultant shall report to the Deputy Director, Ecosystems Specific duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Technical Guidance and Analytical Leadership
• Lead the design and implementation of the analytical framework and methodology for the progress review, ensuring coherence with the four pillars of the G7 Nature Compact: transition, investment, conservation and restoration, and accountability.
• Provide expert guidance on data sources, indicators, and assessment criteria, ensuring consistency with global biodiversity, climate, and pollution monitoring frameworks (e.g. GBF, UNEA outcomes, UNEP’s Global Environmental Data Strategy, etc).
• Ensure integration of cross-cutting themes including nature–climate–pollution interlinkages, economic transformation, and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities where relevant.
• Advise on data quality, comparability, and interpretation, ensuring the evidence base is credible, transparent, and suitable for high-level policy consideration.
• Provide technical direction and quality assurance, including guidance on research priorities, data collection, referencing, and drafting of annexes.
• Evidence Review and Assessment
• Lead the desk-based review of existing global and G7-relevant reports and data sources, including CBD NBSAP updates, GBF monitoring frameworks, UNEP’s State of Finance for Nature and related reports, as well as relevant G7 Ministerial outcomes and analytical publications (e.g. OECD, WEF).
• Identify and synthesise collective trends, progress and gaps across the G7’s commitments, avoiding individual country assessments but drawing on illustrative examples where appropriate. 

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental policy, international relations, economics, sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental policy analysis, international cooperation, or sustainable development is required.
• Demonstrated experience in biodiversity, climate, and pollution policy integration, including cross-sectoral or economic analysis relevant to the “triple planetary crisis” is required.
• Experienced in coordinating multi-stakeholder consultations and facilitating expert inputs at global or regional levels, with a proven track record in supervising research staff or consultants to ensure methodological consistency and quality assurance is desirable. Proven experience leading analytical or synthesis reports for major international processes (e.g., G7, CBD, UNEA) is required.
• Familiarity with international finance for nature, sustainable economic transitions, and the linkages between biodiversity and economic development is desirable. Experience in working with the United Nations system or comparable international organisations is an asset is desirable.