Evaluation Consultant for Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF project “Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (IWEco)” (GEF ID 4932)

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the UN's designated entity for environmental issues globally and regionally. Its mandate includes coordinating environmental policy consensus and monitoring emerging environmental concerns. This consultancy is situated within UNEP's Evaluation Office at Headquarters, reporting to the Executive Director, and the consultant reports to the Evaluation Manager and Director.

Job Purpose

This role serves as an Evaluation Consultant for the Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF project “Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (IWEco)”. The primary purpose is to assess the project's performance, including its relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, outcomes, and impacts, and to determine the sustainability of its results. The evaluation aims to provide evidence for accountability and to promote operational improvements, learning, and knowledge sharing among UNEP and project partners. The consultant will deliver an Inception Report, a Draft Report, and a Final Evaluation Report over an 8-month period, contributing to future project formulation and implementation, particularly if a second phase is considered.

Responsibilities

The Evaluation Consultant will manage the evaluation process, including data collection, analysis, and report writing. Key responsibilities include conducting an inception phase with a desk review and preliminary interviews, developing the project's Theory of Change, and preparing an evaluation framework and protocols. During the data collection phase, the consultant will perform further desk reviews, conduct in-depth interviews with stakeholders, and potentially undertake evaluation missions to project sites in selected countries. The consultant must maintain independence and confidentiality while reporting progress regularly to the Evaluation Manager. The reporting phase involves drafting the main evaluation report, incorporating feedback, preparing a response to comments, and potentially creating a summary brief. The consultant will also manage stakeholder relations to ensure a participatory yet independent evaluation process.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of technical and evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluating large, regional, or global programs using a Theory of Change approach. Geographical experience and expertise in the Caribbean region are also required. A strong understanding of ecosystem preservation, coastal zone management, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), natural resources management (especially integrated water resource management), and environmental management is desirable. Familiarity with the UN system and UNEP's work is also preferred.

Skills

Evaluation expertise, project assessment, data collection and analysis, report writing, stakeholder engagement, understanding of environmental sciences, water/land/ecosystem management, coastal zone management, SIDS issues, natural resources management, integrated water resource management, Theory of Change approach, UN system knowledge, English fluency, Spanish (desirable).

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