Evaluation Consultant for Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP Project 'Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)' (SMA ID 92165)

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the UN's designated entity for global and regional environmental issues, coordinating policy consensus and addressing emerging concerns. This consultancy is based within UNEP's Evaluation Office at Headquarters, reporting to the Executive Director. The role supports the evaluation of a project focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).

Job Purpose

This role serves as an Evaluation Consultant for the terminal evaluation of the UNEP Project 'Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)'. The consultant will manage the evaluation process, conduct data collection and analysis, and produce a comprehensive evaluation report. The purpose is to assess the project's effectiveness in helping countries implement actions that deliver carbon and non-carbon benefits from forests, aligning with UNFCCC decisions and contributing to UNEP's Medium-Term Strategy and climate action goals. The consultant will ensure the evaluation is participatory yet independent, providing insights for future climate mitigation efforts and Sustainable Development Goals.

Responsibilities

The Evaluation Consultant will be responsible for the overall management of the terminal evaluation and timely delivery of its outputs. Key duties include conducting a preliminary desk review and interviews, drafting the project's Theory of Change, preparing the evaluation framework, developing protocols for desk reviews and interviews, and planning the evaluation schedule. The consultant will prepare and finalize an Inception Report. During the data collection and analysis phase, responsibilities include conducting further reviews, in-depth interviews with stakeholders, potentially undertaking evaluation missions to selected countries, preparing case studies, and reporting progress to the Evaluation Manager. The consultant will also draft the Main Evaluation Report, incorporating feedback, and prepare a response to comments, a summary of findings, and present results to stakeholders.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of technical and/or evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluating large, regional, or global programs and using a Theory of Change approach. Experience with climate change and the UN system, particularly UNEP, is desirable.

Skills

Evaluation management, data collection and analysis, report writing, Theory of Change approach, climate change technical experience, UN system knowledge, communication, stakeholder engagement.

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