Background:

Background/Context

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. 

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is the United Nations (UN) entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women1. Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Per its triple mandate, it aims: (i) To support inter-governmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, in their formulation of policies, global standards and norms; (ii) To help Member States implement these standards, standing ready to provide suitable technical and financial support to those countries that request it, and to forge effective partnerships with civil society, and (iii) To lead and coordinate the UN system’s work on gender equality, as well as promote accountability, including through regular monitoring of system-wide progress. 

UN Women, through its Strategic Plan 2026-2029, delivers programmes across four thematic priority areas that contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment: 

  • Women’s Leadership and Decision-Making
  • Women’s Economic Empowerment in Resilient Communities
  • Women and Girls Free from Violence
  • Women, Peace and Security, and Humanitarian Action

The UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office is based in Suva, Fiji and works alongside over 20 other UN agencies in the region and in 14 countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The Fiji MCO is undertaking several evaluations and requires national consultants to support the conduct of these evaluations. 

UN Women in the Pacific region is currently seeking a proficient National Evaluation Consultant/s on a retainer basis, to support evaluation team leaders in the conduct of evaluations. Interested candidates are to specify the Pacific country they are based and language proficiency.

Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work

The objective of this retainer consultancy is to establish a roster of qualified National Evaluation Consultant/s who can be engaged by UN Women to support the implementation of decentralized and corporate evaluations undertaken by the Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO) in the Pacific.

The consultant will be contracted on a retainer basis, enabling UN Women offices and presences within the Fiji MCO portfolio to directly engage relevant national evaluation expertise as required. This arrangement allows UN Women to retain the services of the consultant based on organizational needs, alignment with the consultant’s expertise, and availability, in accordance with UN Women’s Consultant Contract Policy. 

The contract will run from April/May 2026 to April/May 2028, for up to a maximum of 100 working days over the duration of the contract, noting that UN Women does not warrant the full utilization of the maximum number of days.

Under the overall oversight of the Regional Evaluation Specialist for Asia and the Pacific, the consultant will contribute technical and analytical expertise throughout the evaluation cycle to ensure that evaluations are conducted in accordance with UN Women evaluation standards and quality assurance requirements.

Specifically, the objectives of the consultancy are to:

  1. Strengthen the implementation of evaluations conducted by the Fiji MCO by providing technical and operational support across all phases of the evaluation process.
  2. Contribute to rigorous and evidence-based evaluation design and analysis, including document reviews, portfolio analyses, stakeholder analyses, and the development of evaluation methodologies and data collection tools.
  3. Support inclusive and human rights-based evaluation processes, including stakeholder consultations, interviews, and focus group discussions that capture the perspectives of diverse rights holders and duty bearers.
  4. Support the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative evidence to identify results, challenges, gaps, and lessons learned related to UN Women programming.
  5. Contribute to the preparation of high-quality evaluation outputs, including analytical inputs to inception reports, presentations, synthesis reports, case studies, and supporting annexes.
  6. Ensure evaluation deliverables meet UN Women quality assurance standards, including the requirements of the Global Evaluation Reports Assessment and Analysis System (GERAAS) and the UN Women Editorial Style Guide.

Through these contributions, the consultancy will support UN Women’s efforts to generate credible evidence, strengthen accountability, and inform learning to improve programming and policy engagement on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across the Pacific.

The National Evaluation Consultant will serve as an integral member of the evaluation team and will support the implementation of evaluations undertaken by the Fiji Multi-Country Office of UN Women. The consultant’s work will be conducted both home-based and in person, as required by specific assignments. Consultant/s will collaborate with the evaluation team and participate in meetings during Asia and the Pacific working hours, using online collaboration platforms where necessary.

Expected Deliverables

Under the overall oversight of the Asia Pacific Regional Evaluation Specialist in collaboration with the Pacific Regional M&E Programme Specialist, and in coordination with the designated evaluation team leader, the consultant will contribute to the following phases of the evaluation process:

       a. Evaluation Planning

  • Review relevant documentation, including Strategic Notes, programme and project documents, donor reports, monitoring reports, previous evaluations, and audit reports to identify initiatives and interventions relevant to the evaluation topic.
  • Support portfolio analysis to map and synthesize the range of initiatives undertaken by the Fiji Multi-Country Office within the thematic area under evaluation.

      b. Evaluation Inception

  • Support the preparation of a human rights-based stakeholder analysis, identifying key rights holders and duty bearers relevant to the evaluation topic.
  • Contribute to the development of the evaluation methodology, ensuring that it is inclusive and aligned with the evaluation questions and thematic focus.
  • Provide inputs to the preparation of key methodological tools, including the evaluation matrix, data collection instruments, and analytical frameworks.

       c. Evaluation Data Collection

  • Support the organization and conduct of key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and stakeholder consultations, including taking detailed notes and ensuring adherence to UN Women’s ethical standards for evaluation.
  • Contribute to the documentation and analysis of findings by capturing evidence related to results achieved, implementation challenges, gaps, and lessons learned relevant to the evaluation topic.

       d. Analysis and Reporting

  • Contribute analytical inputs to the preparation of evaluation outputs, including the inception report, presentations, and final synthesis report.
  • Provide inputs to case studies or thematic analyses, where required.
  • Support the preparation of evaluation annexes and supporting documentation.

       e. Other Tasks

  • Undertake additional tasks related to the evaluation process as assigned by the supervisor or evaluation team leader.

Tasks

The National Evaluation Consultant will contribute to the production of high-quality evaluation deliverables throughout the evaluation process. Key deliverables may include:

  • Desk reviews and background analyses
  • Portfolio analysis of programme initiatives within the thematic area
  • Stakeholder analysis from a human rights-based perspective
  • Interview and consultation notes
  • Qualitative and quantitative data analysis
  • Contributions to the inception report and evaluation methodology
  • Presentations of preliminary findings
  • Analytical inputs to final synthesis reports, case studies, and annexes

All deliverables must be analytical, concise, and of high quality, and must comply with UN Women evaluation standards, including the Global Evaluation Reports Assessment and Analysis System (GERAAS) quality criteria and the UN Women Editorial Style Guide.

Institutional Arrangement

The National Evaluation Consultant will be directly supervised by the Regional Evaluation Specialist for Asia and the Pacific, based in the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand, in collaboration with the Pacific Regional M&E Programme Specialist, based in the Fiji Multi Country Office of UN Women, in Suva, Fiji.

For specific evaluation assignments, the consultant will also work closely with and receive technical guidance from the designated Evaluation Team Leader responsible for the evaluation. The Regional Evaluation Specialist reports to the Chief of the Independent Evaluation Service at UN Women Headquarters.

UN Women will provide the consultant with background information, contacts, scripts and concept suggestions when required. 

The Consultant is expected to work remotely using his/her own computer but may access the UN Women Office for printing of relevant documents or should he/she be required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.

All deliverables must comply with the UN Women Editorial Style Guide and must be produced in English.

If requested, all data collected by the consultant must be submitted to the supervisor in Word, PowerPoint, or Excel format.

Proper storage and handling of data must comply with UN Women policies on data management, confidentiality, and information security.

Duration of the Work

The duration of this assignment will be 100 working days over a 24-month period of work assignment.

Duty Station

This is a homebased position. 

Travel, where required for specific assignments, will be arranged and paid separately in accordance with UN Women policies.

The consultant will work both home-based and in person, reporting to the nearest UN Women office, if required, depending on the requirements of each evaluation assignment.

Any travel costs outside of home-based location will be covered separately by UN Women with prior approval based on agreed upon routing and in conformity with UN Women applicable travel rules and regulations. 

Performance Evaluation

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Financial Arrangements

Payment will be disbursed on a monthly basis upon submission of report with carried out activities and timesheets and certification by the Supervisor that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Competencies :

Core Values:

  • Integrity;
  • Professionalism;
  • Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

  • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
  • Accountability;
  • Creative Problem Solving;
  • Effective Communication;
  • Inclusive Collaboration;
  • Stakeholder Engagement;
  • Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

  • Strong knowledge of evaluation approaches and methodologies, including the ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods.
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate human rights, gender equality, and disability inclusion perspectives across all stages of the evaluation process.
  • Ability to ensure ethical standards and integrity in evaluation processes, including maintaining confidentiality and applying the principle of do no harm.
  • Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and discussions.
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and concise evaluation findings.
  • Experience applying a range of review and evaluation methods.

Required Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Political Science, Evaluation, International Relations, or related fields is required.
  • A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

  • At least five (5) years (Master's degree) or seven (7) years (first-level university degree) of relevant working experience in 
  • in evaluation, review, or assessment assignments with multilateral or bilateral development organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience undertaking qualitative and quantitative research analysis and/or drafting analytical or synthesis reports using a gender lens, ideally with 7–10 years of relevant experience, to inform gender-responsive policies, legislation, programmes, and gender-responsive budgeting.
  • Solid knowledge of development strategies, policy frameworks, and international development processes.
  • Familiarity with the mandate and work of UN Women or other United Nations organizations.
  • Experience working with the United Nations system.
  • Demonstrated experience as a team member conducting complex evaluations or reviews in the development sector, including participation in at least five evaluation or review assignments.
  • Proven experience in the field of gender equality, women’s empowerment, women’s rights, or related gender-focused development areas.
  • Experience working in or strong knowledge of the Pacific region, particularly the contexts of Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
  • Applicants should not have been involved in the design or implementation of UN Women-supported interventions during the period covered by the evaluations in order to ensure independence and impartiality.
  • Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, MS Office, ability to build/adapt databases using accessible software.

Languages:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
  • Ability to communicate in Pacific Island languages (e.g., Fijian, Bislama, or Pidgin) is considered an advantage.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.


 

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