Programme Evaluation Specialist - Home based

1. One Inception and Preliminary Findings Report 2. One Draft MTR Report, reviewed by UNEP 3. One Final MTR Report, reviewed by UNEP

Home-based

4 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Ecosystems and Economy Divisions work with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Land-based pollution has been widely recognized to impact the health of aquatic ecosystems, including coastal and marine ones. Over time, population growth has led to an increasing demand for water, food, and consumable goods. The rising number of anthropogenic activities and the intensification of productive sectors demanding growth in substance production and use have resulted in augmented pollution from point and non-point sources. In many areas of the world, waterways and coastal areas are still being used as dumping grounds to avoid costs for treatment and disposal. Also, extreme weather events and climate change pose additional stress on ecosystems and natural resources. Climate-induced natural disasters (e.g., floods) increase the risks of spillage of pollutants with major consequences on human health and ecosystems. UNEP’s Source-to-Sea Pollution Unit plays a crucial role in identifying and acting on the challenge of land-based pollution. The Unit focuses on issues including but not limited to marine litter, nutrient management, and wastewater. Its activities serve to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDGs 6 and 14. They also contribute to UNEP’s Medium Term Strategy 2022-2025 and 2026-2029, as well as to the implementation of UNEP’s Chemicals and Pollution Action sub-programme. The work of the Unit also contributes to the implementation of numerous United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions, including, for example, “6/13 Water Policies, 6/12 Environmental assistance and recovery in areas affected by armed conflict, 6/15 Strengthened ocean efforts to tackle pollution, 6/10 Air Quality, (through UNEP Working Group on Nitrogen),5/2, and 4/14. Sustainable Nitrogen Management; 6/5 Environmental aspects of Mineral and Metals, 5/12 Sustainable Management of Mineral and Metals 4/11. Protection of the marine environment from land-based activities; and 3/10. Addressing water pollution to protect and restore water-related ecosystems. To counter the challenges posed by land-based pollution, the Unit is implementing the project titled “Preventing and addressing the degradation of freshwater and marine ecosystems from source to sea.” takes. The project’s objective is to strengthen global-to-local action through the implementation of a Source-to-Sea approach to protect freshwater and marine ecosystems by addressing land- and sea-based degradation from wastewater, nutrients, and the physical alteration and destruction of habitats. The project aims to protect countries’ freshwater and marine ecosystems from land and sea-based harmful activities through strengthened policies, plans and strategies, use, scale-up, and replicate Good practices, including financial options, to protect fresh water and marine ecosystems from land and sea-based activities are used, scaled-up, and replicated, at global, regional, and national levels, and finally enable stakeholders make informed decisions based on scientific evidence and technical information to prevent ecosystem degradation and pollution. The consultant will aim to deliver the Mid-Term Review of the project “Preventing and addressing the degradation of freshwater and marine ecosystems from source to sea.” This assignment is within UNEP’s Ecosystems Divisions, under the direct supervision of the head of the Unit, who is the UNEP Project Manager responsible for the project. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Marine and Freshwater Branch and guidance from the Chief of Source-to-Sea Pollution and Prevention Unit, the consultant will perform the following duties: 1. Prepare an inception report and methodology for carrying out the Mid-Term Review (MTR) for the UNEP Programme of Work project ‘Preventing and addressing the degradation of freshwater and marine ecosystems from source-to-sea.’ - Prepare objectives and scope of MTR (using UNEP standard evaluation criteria). - Develop survey questionnaire, guiding questions for interviews and focus group discussions, and evaluation criteria for assessing programmes (using UNEP standard evaluation criteria). - Prepare inception report refining the scope of the MTR, outlining the methodologies, and defining the workplan for the MTR - Prepare MTR Preliminary findings report and presentation 2. Prepare Draft MTR report - Prepare a draft MTR, based on the methodologies developed and including reviews of project progress and impact, analysis of management and strategy effectiveness, documentation of lessons learned, and recommendations for improvements (using UNEP standard evaluation criteria). - Adhere to UNEP standard review processes, working closely with the UNEP Source-to-Sea Pollution Unit Team. 3. Prepare Final MTR report - Address review comments by UNEP Source-to-Sea Pollution Unit Team. - Final MTR accepted by UNEP Source-to-Sea Pollution Unit Team (using UNEP standard evaluation criteria).

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in environmental sciences, engineering, economy, international development, or other relevant natural sciences area is required. A first-level university degree with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. 2 years experience in conducting mid-term review/evaluation for UN Agencies of multi-country projects or programmes is required. Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams is required 2 years of experience in working on projects related to wastewater, nutrient pollution or sand extraction is highly desirable. A comprehensive understanding of key issues related to land-based sources of pollution/degradation, such as wastewater, nutrients, Physica alteration and Destruction of Habitats (PADH); and source-to-sea approach is desirable. Ability to plan, organize, execute, and report on tasks while effectively managing pressure and meeting tight deadlines is desirable Experience in evaluating large, regional, or global programmes and using a Theory of Change approach is required Demonstrate ambition as a systems-thinker through the following competencies: excellent research skills, writing skills, communication, computer literacy, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the consultancy post advertised, advanced level in oral and written English is required.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.