Evaluation Specialist for Strategic Evaluation of Communication Dimensions of UNEP’s Projects and Programmes
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the UN's designated entity for global and regional environmental issues. It coordinates environmental policy consensus and monitors emerging issues. This consultancy is based in the UNEP Evaluation Office at Headquarters, reporting to the Executive Director, and the consultant reports to the Evaluation Manager and Director of the Evaluation Office.
Job Purpose
This role supports a strategic evaluation of UNEP's project and programme communication from 2021-2026. The purpose is to assess communication performance, inform current and future strategies, and generate learning to enhance project effectiveness, particularly at the outcome level. The evaluation aims to provide evidence for accountability and promote operational improvement, learning, and knowledge sharing. It will identify lessons for future project formulation and implementation regarding communication dimensions, contributing to UNEP's overall mission.
Responsibilities
The Evaluation Specialist will support the drafting and timely provision of evaluation outputs, working collaboratively with the Principal Evaluator. Key responsibilities include conducting the inception phase, which involves desk reviews, introductory interviews, drafting causal pathways, defining methods and analytical tools, preparing an annotated table of contents, and distributing roles for data collection and reporting. The specialist will also develop protocols for desk reviews, interviews, and surveys, plan the evaluation schedule, and prepare the Inception Report. During the data collection and analysis phase, responsibilities include presenting synthesized findings, interviewing relevant staff and stakeholders, reporting progress, and managing potential issues. In the reporting phase, the specialist will draft the Main Evaluation Report, liaise on comments, finalize the report, and prepare a Response to Comments annex and potentially an Evaluation Brief.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of technical/evaluation experience is required, preferably in evaluating large, regional, or global programs using a Theory of Change approach. Experience in digital communications is also required. Familiarity with media, advocacy, and communication within development-oriented organizations and intergovernmental processes is desirable, as is knowledge of the UN system and UNEP.
Skills
Evaluation, Strategic Evaluation, Communication Assessment, Digital Communications, Theory of Change, Data Analysis, Report Writing, Stakeholder Consultation, Project Management Support, UN System Knowledge (desirable).