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VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Contract Type: Consultancy

Closing date: 20th August 2021 - Midnight (Fiji Time)

Duty station: Suva, Fiji

 

Call for Evaluation Consultancy: UNFPA Pacific 6th Sub Regional Programme Evaluation (2018-2022)

 

UNFPA is seeking a multidisciplinary team of consultants for the following roles:

 

  • An Evaluation Team Leader –  Duration of 50 days
  • Sexual Reproductive Health Expert – Duration of 37 days
  • Gender Expert – Duration of 37 days
  • Population and Development Expert – Duration of 37 days
  • Young Evaluator – Duration of 40 days

 

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), UNFPA is working towards three transformative results: (i) zero preventable maternal deaths; (ii) zero unmet need for family planning; and (iii) zero gender-based violence and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage.

 

The UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office (SRO) is currently implementing the 6th Sub Regional Programme (SRP) (2018-2022) with the Governments of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories and other partners. The goal of the SRP is to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health, realize reproductive rights and reduce maternal mortality, to improve the lives of women, adolescents and youth. In pursuit of this goal, the UNFPA Pacific SRO seeks to achieve results in the following thematic areas of programming under the SRP: Sexual and reproductive health and rights; Adolescents and youth; Gender equality and women’s empowerment; and Population dynamics.

 

Purpose, objectives and scope:

 

In line with the 2019 UNFPA Evaluation Policy, the UNFPA Pacific SRO is planning to conduct an evaluation of its 6th SRP (2018-2022). The purpose of the Sub Regional Programme Evaluation (SRPE) is to strengthen accountability to stakeholders, support evidence-based decision-making, and improve learning. The overall objective of the SRPE is to provide an independent assessment of the relevance and performance of the SRP and to broaden the evidence base for the design of the next programme cycle. 

 

The evaluation will cover all interventions in the 3 thematic areas of the SRP, which have been implemented across the Pacific Island Countries and Territories during the programme’s period. The thematic areas are described in the terms of reference (Annex). In addition, the evaluation will also cover cross-cutting issues, such as human rights, gender equality, disability, displacement and migration status and youth, and transversal functions, such as: coordination, monitoring and evaluation, innovation, resource mobilization, strategic partnerships, advocacy and capacity development.

 

Evaluation team:

 

The SRPE will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team of consultants. The consultants should collectively have the qualifications and experience to design and implement a methodologically robust evaluation and cover all the above-mentioned thematic areas of the CP. The evaluation team will consist of: 

  • Team leader: An international consultant with primary responsibility for the design of the evaluation methodology and the coordination of the evaluation team, as described in the terms of reference. The team leader will also demonstrate the qualifications, experience and skills required to serve as a technical expert for one of the thematic areas.
  • Thematic experts: National or International consultants who should demonstrate the qualifications, experience and skills required to serve as technical expert in at least one of the thematic areas, as described in the terms of reference.
  • Young and emerging evaluator: A national or international consultant (recent university graduate or young evaluation professional with limited experience) who will provide support to the evaluation team throughout the evaluation process, as described in the terms of reference.

 

The evaluation team will conduct the SRPE under the supervision of the evaluation manager in the UNFPA Pacific SRO from September 2021 to April 2022, as indicated in the timeframe of the evaluation in the ToR.

 

In the application, the candidates must clearly indicate the thematic area(s) for which they demonstrate the requested expertise, as well as the role (team leader or team member) that they intend to perform. Based on the qualifications, experience and skills, the candidates may propose to cover more than one thematic area.

 

Please see the attached terms of reference for more details on the SRPE as well as on the required qualifications and experience of the team leader and team members. ToR also indicates the evaluation timeline and the expected evaluation deliverables.

 

How to apply:

 

Interested individuals with the required qualifications and experience should submit their application to vacanciespsro@unfpa.org, with the subject line “Application for SRP Evaluation consultancy”. The subject line should also clearly indicate the role (e.g. team leader; thematic expert; or young and emerging evaluator) for which they would like to be considered. 

 

 

 

 

The application should include:

  • A cover letter, indicating the candidate’s motivation for this consultancy as well as relevant expertise and experience.
  • An updated copy of the curriculum vitae (CV) and a duly completed P11 UN Personal History Form.
  • Applicants are required to register their profile in the UNFPA Consultant Roster via https://www.unfpa.org/unfpa-consultant-roster
  • Names and contact information of three references.
  • A recent evaluation report or other type of writing sample in English (from a similar assignment) drafted by the candidate.
  • Availability and expected daily rate for consultancy services.

 

The closing date for the submission of applications is Friday, 20th August 2021 (midnight Fiji time)

 

Only those candidates who meet all qualifications and experience will be contacted for further consideration. Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX 1: TERMS OF REFERENCE

Hiring Office:

 

Project Title:

 

 

Period of assignment/services (if applicable):

UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office

 

Consultancy to conduct the UNFPA Pacific 6th Sub Regional Programme Evaluation (20182022) – Team Leader, 3 Thematic Experts and 1 Young Emerging Evaluator

 

1 Team Leader – 50 days, 3 Thematic Experts – 37 days, 1 Young Evaluator – 40 days

Background and Purpose of consultancy:

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth

is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), UNFPA is working towards three transformative results: (i) zero preventable maternal deaths; (ii) zero unmet need for family planning; and (iii) zero gender-based violence and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage.

 

The UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office (SRO) is currently implementing the 6th Sub Regional

Programme (SRP) (2018-2022) with the Governments of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories and other partners. The goal of the SRP is to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health, realize reproductive rights and reduce maternal mortality, to improve the lives of women, adolescents and youth. In pursuit of this goal, the UNFPA Pacific SRO seeks to achieve results in the following thematic areas of programming under the SRP: Sexual and reproductive health and rights; Adolescents and youth; Gender equality and women’s empowerment; and Population dynamics.

 

In line with the 2019 UNFPA Evaluation Policy, the UNFPA Pacific SRO is planning to conduct an evaluation of its 6th SRP (2018-2022). The purpose of the Sub Regional Programme Evaluation (SRPE) is to strengthen accountability to stakeholders, support evidence-based decision-making, and improve learning. The overall objective of the SRPE is to provide an independent assessment of the relevance and performance of the SRP and to broaden the evidence base for the design of the next programme cycle. 

 

Scope of work:

 

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The evaluation will cover all interventions in the 3 thematic areas of the SRP, which have been implemented across the Pacific Island Countries and Territories during the programme’s period. The thematic areas are described in section 3 of the terms of reference. 

 

In addition, the evaluation will also cover cross-cutting issues, such as human rights, gender equality, disability, displacement and migration status and youth, and transversal functions, such as: coordination, monitoring and evaluation, innovation, resource mobilization, strategic partnerships, advocacy and capacity development.

 

Duration and working schedule:

The consultancy term for the Evaluation team will be their respective allocated number of days as mentioned above (i.e. Team Leader –

50; Thematic experts – 37; Young evaluator – 40), which will spread over a period of 8 months starting from 1st September 2021 to no later than 30th April 2022

 

Place where services are to be delivered:

Due to COVID-19 travel restriction, evaluation services will be delivered remotely from the respective consultant’s office base, depending on where they reside.

 

 

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

The evaluation team will implement the following 11 activities and produce the related deliverables by the indicative timeline set out in the table below. The same are outlined in the full Terms of Reference under Section 10 - Indicative Work plan and timeframe, whereby the team will produce the deliverables throughout the course of the consultancy as per the team members schedule (37 and 40 days) coordinated by the team leader (50 days) who will submit the final deliverables after receiving the inputs of the team members. The deliverables will have to be submitted electronically. The assignment will start around the first week of September 2021. UNFPA requires a final report no later than mid-February 2022 and a dissemination PowerPoint presentation of the evaluation results no later than 30 April 2022.

 

WP

Ref #

Evaluation Phases and Activities

Deliverables

Indicative Deadline

 

Design

 

1

 

 

Desk review of background information and documentation on the country context and the

CP (incl. bibliography and resources in the ToR)

 

10/09/21

 

2

Drafting of the design report (incl. approach and methodology, theory of change, evaluation questions, duly completed evaluation matrix, final stakeholder map and sampling strategy, evaluation work plan and agenda for the field phase)

Draft design report

17/09/21

 

3

Presentation of the draft design report to the ERG for comments and feedback

PowerPoint presentation of the draft design report 

08/10/21

 

4

Revision of the draft design report and circulation of the final version to the evaluation manager for approval

Final design report

15/10/21

 

Field

 

5

Inception meeting for data collection with SRO staff

Meeting between evaluation team/CO staff

29/10/21

 

6

Individual meetings with relevant SRO programme officers 

Meeting of evaluators/CO programme officers

29/10/21

 

7

Data collection (incl. interviews with key informants, site visits for direct observation, group discussions, desk review, etc.)

Entering

data/information into the evaluation matrix

19/11/21

 

8

Debriefing meeting with CO staff and the ERG to present emerging findings and preliminary conclusions after data collection

PowerPoint presentation

for debriefing with the CO and the ERG

26/11/21

 

Reporti

ng

9

Drafting of the evaluation report and circulation to the evaluation manager

Draft evaluation report

17/12/21

 

10

Drafting of the final evaluation report (incl.

annexes) and circulation to the evaluation manager for a second round of comments.

Draft Final evaluation report (incl. annexes)

Final evaluation report

(incl. annexes)

28/01/22

11/02/22

 

Dissem

ination

11

Development of the presentation on the evaluation results

PowerPoint presentation of the evaluation results

15/04/22

 

 

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The monitoring and progress control of the evaluation team’s performance and of the entire evaluation will be done by the PSRO Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist who is also the evaluation manager for the SRPE exercise. The full SRPE work plan and timeframe under Section 10 of the ToR provides the basis for tracking progress. The work plan table will be modified into a work plan monitoring tool where actual progress of activities will be assessed against what was planned and delivered. The payment of fees will be based on the submission of deliverables by the agreed tentative dates, as follows:

 

Deliverable

Due Date

% Payout

Upon approval of the design report

15/10/21

20%

Upon completion of the field phase

26/11/21

20%

Upon submission of a draft final evaluation report of satisfactory quality

28/01/22

30%

Upon approval of the final evaluation report and the PowerPoint presentation of the evaluation results

11/02/22

15/04/22

30%

 

The final design report must comply with the framework outlined in Annex E of the full TOR. In terms of the final evaluation report, the document must meet the reporting requirements and format set out in Annex G of the full TOR. The evaluation team must also take note and follow UNFPA’s editorial guidelines stated in Annex H of the full TOR.

Supervisory arrangements: 

The evaluation team will conduct the SRPE under the supervision of the evaluation manager in the UNFPA Pacific SRO from September 2021 to April 2022, as indicated in the timeframe of the evaluation in the ToR: section 10 and Annex I.

Expected travel:

Depending on the location of the evaluation team members, travel will be decided based on the availability of travel schedules and compliance with COVID-19 travel guidelines and restrictions.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

The evaluation team comprising of a team leader, thematic experts (detailed below) and a young evaluator will need to have the following expertise, qualifications, competencies and language requirements

 

Team leader

The competencies, skills and experience of the evaluation team leader should include:

  • Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, demography or population studies, statistics, development studies or a related field.
  • 10 years of experience in conducting or managing evaluations in the field of international development, including evaluation of programmes in humanitarian contexts.
  • Extensive experience in leading complex evaluations commissioned by United Nations organizations and/or other international organizations and NGOs.
  • Demonstrated expertise in one of the thematic areas of the SRP covered by the evaluation (see expert profiles below).
  • In-depth knowledge of theory-based evaluation approaches and ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and to uphold high quality standards for evaluation as defined by UNFPA and UNEG.
  • Good knowledge of humanitarian strategies, policies, frameworks and international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles, as well as the international humanitarian architecture and coordination mechanisms.
  • Ability to ensure ethics and integrity of the evaluation process, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm.
  • Ability to consistently integrate human rights and gender perspectives, and disability inclusion in all phases of the evaluation process.
  • Excellent management and leadership skills to coordinate the work of the evaluation team, and strong ability to share technical evaluation skills and knowledge.
  • Ability to supervise a young and emerging evaluator, create an enabling environment for her/his meaningful participation in the work of the evaluation team, and provide guidance and support required to develop her/his capacity.
  • Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of experts.

 

 

  • Excellent ability to analyze and synthesize large volumes of data and information from diverse sources.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and spoken).
  • Work experience in/good knowledge of the region and the national development context of Pacific Island countries and territories.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English.

 

SRHR/ Adolescent and Youth SRHR expert

The competencies, skills and experience of the SRHR expert should include:

  • Master’s degree in public health, medicine, health economics and financing, epidemiology, social sciences or a related field.
  • 5 years of experience in conducting evaluations, reviews, assessments, research studies or M&E work in the field of international development and/or humanitarian assistance.
  • Substantive knowledge of SRHR, including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, maternal health, and family planning with a focus on adolescent and youth SRHR, including Comprehensive Sexuality education (CSE).
  • Good knowledge of humanitarian strategies, policies, frameworks and international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles, as well as the international humanitarian architecture and coordination mechanisms.
  • Ability to ensure ethics and integrity of the evaluation process, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm.
  • Ability to consistently integrate human rights and gender perspectives in all phases of the evaluation process.
  • Solid knowledge of evaluation approaches and methodology and demonstrated ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and spoken).
  • Work experience in/good knowledge of the national development context of Pacific Island countries and territories.
  • Familiarity with UNFPA or other United Nations organizations’ mandates and activities will be an advantage.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English.

 

Gender equality and women’s empowerment expert

The competencies, skills and experience of the gender equality and women’s empowerment expert should include:

  • Master’s degree in women/gender studies, human rights law, social sciences, development studies or a related field.
  • 5 years of experience in conducting evaluations, reviews, assessments, research studies or M&E work in the field of international development and/or humanitarian assistance.
  • Substantive knowledge on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, GBV and other harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation, early, child and forced marriage, and issues surrounding masculinity, gender relationships and sexuality.
  • Good knowledge of humanitarian strategies, policies, frameworks and international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles, as well as the international humanitarian architecture and coordination mechanisms.
  • Ability to ensure ethics and integrity of the evaluation process, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm.
  • Ability to consistently integrate human rights and gender perspectives in all phases of the evaluation process.
  • Solid knowledge of evaluation approaches and methodology and demonstrated ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and spoken).
  • Work experience in/good knowledge of the national development context of Pacific Island countries and territories.

 

 

  • Familiarity with UNFPA or other United Nations organizations’ mandates and activities will be an advantage.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English.

 

Population dynamics expert

The competencies, skills and experience of the population dynamics expert should include:

  • Master’s degree in demography or population studies, statistics, social sciences, development studies or a related field.
  • 5 years of experience in conducting evaluations, reviews, assessments, research studies or M&E work in the field of international development and/or humanitarian assistance.
  • Substantive knowledge on the generation, analysis, dissemination and use of housing census and population data for development, population dynamics, migration and national statistics systems.
  • Good knowledge of humanitarian strategies, policies, frameworks and international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles, as well as the international humanitarian architecture and coordination mechanisms.
  • Ability to ensure ethics and integrity of the evaluation process, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm.
  • Ability to consistently integrate human rights and gender perspectives in all phases of the evaluation process.
  • Solid knowledge of evaluation approaches and methodology and demonstrated ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and spoken).
  • Work experience in/good knowledge of the national development context of Pacific Island countries and territories. 
  • Familiarity with UNFPA or other United Nations organizations’ mandates and activities will be an advantage.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English. 

 

Young and emerging evaluator

The young and emerging evaluator’ competencies, skills and experience should include:

  • Bachelor’s degree in public health, demography or population studies, social sciences, statistics, development studies or a related field.
  • 4 years of work experience in conducting evaluation or M&E in the field of international development.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team.
  • Strong organizational skills, communication skills and writing skills.
  • Good command of information and communication technology and data visualization tools.
  • Good knowledge of the mandate and activities of UNFPA or other United Nations organizations will be an advantage.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English.

 

Note: The evaluation team leader beyond her/his responsibilities as team leader, will serve as technical expert for one of the 3 thematic areas of the SRP described above

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA PSRO through the evaluation manager will will be responsible for the management of the evaluation and supervision of the evaluation team in line with the UNFPA Evaluation Handbook. The evaluation manager will oversee the entire process of the evaluation, from the preparation to the facilitation of the use and the dissemination of the evaluation results and ensure that quality, quality, independence and impartiality of the evaluation against UNEG norms, standards and ethical guidelines are met. All PSRO staff in Suva and in the field will provide support to the evaluation manager as described in Section 11 of the full Terms of Reference. 

 

 

The progress of the evaluation will be followed closely by the evaluation reference group (ERG)[1], which is composed of relevant UNFPA staff from the Pacific SRO, APRO, representatives of the national Governments of selected PICTs, implementing partners, as well as other relevant key stakeholders, including organizations representing vulnerable and marginalized groups.

The regional M&E adviser in UNFPA APRO will provide guidance and backstopping support to the evaluation manager at all stages of the evaluation process. The UNFPA Evaluation Office will play a crucial role in the EQAA (Evaluation Quality Assurance and Assessment of the evaluation.

All Stakeholders of the Sub Regional Programme 2018-2022, as outlined in the stakeholder map will serve as key informants to the evaluation exercise that will be conducted by the evaluation team.The evaluation team consultant will use their own resources to deliver their respective activities and outputs of the evaluation outlined in the full Terms of Reference

 

 

[1] The ToR for the Evaluation Reference Group is attached in the full SRP evaluation ToR as Annex J