Principal Evaluator for Terminal Evaluation of the European Commission - UNEP Programme Cooperation Agreement (PCA II)

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the UN's designated entity for global and regional environmental issues. Its mandate includes coordinating environmental policy consensus and monitoring emerging issues. This consultancy is based in the UNEP Evaluation Office at Headquarters, reporting to the Evaluation Manager and Director. The role supports the evaluation of the European Commission - UNEP Programme Cooperation Agreement II (PCA II).

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to conduct a terminal evaluation of the European Commission - UNEP Programme Cooperation Agreement II (PCA II), which ran from 2018-2020. The PCA II's general objective was to promote environmental sustainability and integrate economic, social, and environmental dimensions for sustainable development, aligning with the UN 2030 Agenda. The evaluation will assess the agreement's effectiveness in strengthening international environmental governance, promoting biodiversity, circular economies, human health from pollution, chemical/waste management, and natural resource management. It will also evaluate the capacity building of countries in evidence-based policy decisions and SDG implementation related to the environment. The consultant will deliver an Inception Report, a Draft Report, and a Final Evaluation Report.

Responsibilities

The Principal Evaluator will manage the terminal evaluation of the EC-UNEP PCA II, ensuring timely delivery of outputs. Key responsibilities include leading the inception phase, conducting a preliminary desk review, performing introductory interviews, reconstructing the Theory of Change, developing the evaluation framework, and preparing the Inception Report. During the data collection and analysis phase, the evaluator will conduct further desk reviews, in-depth interviews with stakeholders, potentially undertake evaluation missions, prepare case studies, and report progress to the Evaluation Manager. In the reporting phase, the consultant will draft the Main Evaluation Report, incorporate feedback, prepare a response to comments, and present key findings and lessons learned. The role also involves managing stakeholder relations to ensure a participatory yet independent evaluation process.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of technical and/or evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluating large-scale, regional, or global programmes and using a Theory of Change approach. Experience evaluating EU-funded projects and programmes is desirable, as is experience in programme/project design and management, partnerships development, and knowledge management. Familiarity with the UN system and UNEP's work, including Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), is also desirable.

Skills

Evaluation management, data collection and analysis, report writing, stakeholder engagement, understanding of environmental sciences, international development, Theory of Change approach, EU-funded projects, programme/project design and management, partnerships development, knowledge management, UN system, Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).

Explore related opportunities