Job description

The Position:

The consultant will work under the supervision of UNFPA. He or she will work directly with the SRHR and Youth Advisor and relevant programme specialists and associates, under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative. Technical oversight and quality assurance throughout the evaluation process will be provided by the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG)—a consultative body comprising key stakeholders, including PUNOs, government entities in disability programming, and implementing partner agencies. 

Background Information:

Kenya ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2008. However, a situation analysis conducted in 2023 on the rights of persons with disabilities revealed significant gaps and challenges in its implementation. This led to the development of a Joint programme aimed at catalyzing action across various sectors, with a focus on strengthening systems for Disability policies, Programmes, and Services in Kenya. 

The Joint Programme, titled, Systems Strengthening towards Disability Inclusive Policies, Programmes and Services in Kenya is 24-month initiative with a total value of 600,000 USD, supplemented by co-funding from the Norway Humanitarian Innovation Programme and the UN Partnership Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) in New York. 

This Joint Programme is coordinated through the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) in Kenya and convened by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA. The programme is implemented alongside key government stakeholders, including the State Department for Social Protection, National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. It also works with several Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Federation of Kenya Employers and the Central Organization of trade Unions in Kenya. The primary purpose of the JP is to catalyse systemic change by strengthening national coordination and monitoring mechanisms, providing technical support for the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Bill, and ensuring that essential services in health, education, and employment are accessible and inclusive for all.

The outcomes the project specifically aims to address are as follows: 

  1. Strengthening CRPD coordination and monitoring mechanisms through enhancing capacities, awareness creation, evidence generation, and development of inclusive data management systems while increasing capacities of OPDs and partners for meaningful engagement.
  2. Strengthening the legal and policy environment to enhance disability inclusion through technical support to the legislative process for enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Bill No. 26 of 2023, finalization of the National Disability Policy, and development of a strategy on non-discrimination and elimination of stigma against persons with disabilities.
  3. Enhancing adoption of inclusive approaches to expand access to essential services in health (including SRHR), education and technical training, employment and economic empowerment practices and extension of social protection to all persons with disabilities.
  4. Promote disability inclusion in mainstream national planning and particularly in humanitarian and emergency preparedness and in climate change adaptation.

Central to the programme’s design is a commitment to advancing the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and promoting disability-inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDGs 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 17.  By addressing existing gaps in the legislative and policy environment, the JP seeks to fulfill Kenya’s international obligations under the CRPD, specifically targeting articles related to equality, employment, data collection, and national monitoring. This rights-based approach ensures that disability inclusion is not treated as a peripheral issue but is instead woven into the fabric of national planning, including humanitarian preparedness and climate change adaptation, thereby accelerating progress toward the 2030 Agenda and ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind.

Strategic alignment is further maintained through a direct link between the JP and the UNPRPD/Global Disability Fourth (GDF) Strategy (2020–2025) and its accompanying Results Framework. The programme leverages the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) as a primary platform for inter-agency coordination, ensuring that all interventions are catalytic and contribute to long-term governance and accountability. By aligning its outputs with the GDF’s focus on systemic transformation, the JP ensures that its investments in data systems, policy reform, and inclusive service delivery provide a scalable model for disability-inclusive development that is both sustainable and measurable within the broader UN development system.

The Joint Programme places particular emphasis on the rights and inclusion of children with disabilities in Kenya, who face intersecting barriers related to age, disability, gender, and location. In line with Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the programme promotes the best interests, participation, and equal enjoyment of rights of children with disabilities through targeted system-strengthening interventions. 

The three partner agencies in the UNPRPD programme play complementary roles: UNICEF leads on strengthening national and county government coordination mechanisms (IACC/IGRTWG), establishing complaints and redress systems, facilitating integrated medical and educational disability assessment referrals, and mainstreaming disability inclusion within humanitarian and emergency preparedness plans. The ILO focuses on advancing economic participation and employment for persons with disabilities, specifically on inclusive employment by leading the development of guidelines to operationalize the 5% employment reservation, stigma elimination and non-discrimination and enhancing organizations of persons with disabilities' (OPDs) capacity in strategy development and engagement for policy finalization and their participation in decision making processes. Meanwhile, UNFPA drives policy and legislative reforms by leading advocacy for the Persons with Disabilities Bill enactment and finalization of the National Policy, while also building OPD capacity for data collection and strengthening the monitoring of CRPD implementation, and piloting inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) service delivery.

The programme is implemented at the national level and in select counties comprising Nairobi, Narok, Baringo, Kajiado and Kisumu. Specifically, Narok and Baringo focused on inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) service delivery; Nairobi and Kisumu focused on economic participation and employment for persons with disabilities, whereas Kajiado focused on integrated medical and disability education and mainstreaming disability inclusion within humanitarian and emergency preparedness plans.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Purpose of the evaluation

The evaluation aims to assess the achievements of the JP and its overall contribution to advance the CRPD implementation in Kenya. 

Specific learning objectives for the evaluation include the following:

  1. Relevance - Evaluate the relevance of the JP intervention in the context of Kenya, with a focus on which elements contributed to the Government efforts to advance the CRPD commitments.
  2. Effectiveness - Examine the Joint Programme’s contribution to advancing disability inclusion within Kenya’s national development and humanitarian frameworks. This includes examining changes in essential building blocks for CRPD implementation and assessing the programme's impact on strengthening disability-inclusive child rights and protection systems particularly for children in humanitarian settings, while identifying the pivotal factors and opportunities that facilitated these shifts.
  3. Efficiency- Analyse the multi-partner approach of the JP to achieve the change by determining the level of equity and equality in partner engagement and contribution.
  4. Equity- Evaluate the incorporation of gender equality, participation of organizations of persons with disabilities, and the promotion of marginalized groups in the JP, including age/disability intersections such as children, youth, or girls with disabilities facing compounded barriers.
  5. Coherence - Assess the contribution of the JP to GDF objectives and the One-UN approach.
  6. Sustainability - Identify key opportunities to expand the JP scope or scale to sustain the policy and/or system level changes initiated by the JP 

Scope of work:      (Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The evaluation will cover the project implementation period of 1st September 2022 to 30th June 2026 and will focus on select counties of programme implementation that include: Nairobi, Narok, Baringo, Kajiado and Kisumu. It will be based on criteria related to relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, sustainability, and contribute to the assessment of impact, with an emphasis on equity and gender sensitivity. A framework with guiding questions will be provided to guide the process. 

The evaluation will adopt a theory-based approach anchored in the Joint Programme’s explicit Theory of Change. This approach will map how specific interventions in Kenya’s disability landscape contribute to a causal chain of results, ultimately accelerating the implementation of the CRPD by addressing systemic gaps in coordination, policy, service delivery, and data systems. As a core component of this methodology, the evaluator(s) will utilize contribution analysis to explore the validity of key assumptions, verify if observed results align with the expected results chain, and account for external factors that may have influenced the achievement of outcomes.

To ensure a comprehensive assessment, the evaluation will follow a mixed-method approach. Qualitative methods will serve as the primary vehicle for data collection, complemented by quantitative data to minimize bias and strengthen the validity of findings through triangulation. All data collection tools and sessions will be designed with a "twin-track" inclusive lens, ensuring they are fully accessible to all participants. The methodology will include:

  • Desk Review: A systematic analysis of key JP documents, financial data, and indicators, alongside materials pertaining to the broader Kenyan disability inclusion landscape.
  • Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Semi-structured interviews with a non-exhaustive list of stakeholders, including JP governance members or the evaluation reference group, PUNO partners (ILO, UNICEF, UNFPA), government officials to include the Directorate of Social Development, National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), Central Organization of Trade Unions in Kenya (COTU-K) and external disability experts or academics including organizations representing Persons with Disability (OPDs) and their umbrella body, the United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK).
  • Participatory Workshops and Focus Groups: Utilizing an inclusive and transparent participatory approach, these sessions will involve a broad range of duty-bearers and rights-holders (including women and youth with disabilities). These platforms will facilitate in-depth analysis, stakeholder validation of preliminary findings, and the collective generation of recommendations.
  • Quantitative Data Collection: Collection of data through a survey and from secondary data sources including programme implementation reports to measure change at the output and outcome levels, including the use of innovative, context-adapted ICT tools.
  • Site Visits: Field observations to verify the implementation of disability-inclusive services and policies on the ground.
  • Stakeholder workshop: workshops with key stakeholders to validate the inception report and the draft evaluation report, as well as disseminate the findings of the evaluation process.

Duration and working schedule: 30 working days 

The consultant shall use own equipment and work-space as may be necessary

Place where services are to be delivered:  Nairobi, Kajiado, Kisumu, Narok, Baringo and other sites as recommended by the programme

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

Evaluation stage Activities Deliverables

Phase 1: Inception and preparation

(5 days)
  • Development of an inception report with a detailed evaluation framework and approach
  • Kick off meeting with JP team 

An Inception report (Detailing the evaluation framework, guiding questions, approach, timeline, and information sources)-Max 20pgs

Phase 2: Data collection, analysis and drafting of the evaluation report

(25 days)
  • Conduct desk research and expert interviews for landscape analysis and stakeholder mapping
  • Execute data collection and analysis (including all relevant document review, interviews, focus group discussions and surveys)
  • Complete relevant field visits 
  • Develop implications and recommendations 
  • Submit first draft of the evaluation for review 
  • Incorporate PUNO feedback on the first draft  
  • Finalize the evaluation based on comments provided
  • Disseminate the final evaluation report to stakeholders

Draft Evaluation report for validation by stakeholders

Final evaluation report validated and disseminated to stakeholders

(Presenting findings, analysis, case studies, lessons learnt and actionable recommendations-Max 30 pages))



 

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

Adherence to the total consultancy period is critical, no payment will be made for any incomplete quality result / task within the timeline provided.

Payment Schedule:

Phase 1: 20% upon submission of an inception report detailing the evaluation framework, guiding questions, approach, timeline, and information sources)-Max 20pgs

Phase 2: 80% upon submission of a final evaluation report validated and disseminated to stakeholders, presenting findings, analysis, case studies, lessons learnt and actionable recommendations-Max 30 pages

Expected travel:

The consultancy will involve travelling to select project sites for data collection. This may include Nairobi, Kajiado, Kisumu, Narok, and Baringo counties. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by UNFPA.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced degree in relevant academic areas e.g. public health, social sciences, public policy, epidemiology, international development, economics and demography.

Knowledge and Professional Work Experience 

  1. At least 7-10 years’ experience in the field of international development, sexual and reproductive health, disability mainstreaming.
  2. Extensive experience working in monitoring and evaluation or research, including as lead investigator of an evaluation or research.
  3. Strong data management skills with a strong experience in use of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods including data analysis and software knowledge, will be an added advantage.
  4. Experience in working with relevant government agencies, UN, communities and the youth
  5. Excellent analytical and report writing skills
  6. Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
  7. Knowledge/ familiarity with Disability mainstreaming programmes, Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its link to programming and advocacy.
  8. Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner 
  9. Experience in publications of research, policy and other academic literature.

     

Languages: 

  • English Language is required 

Conflict of Interest:

The Consultant will be asked to declare any potential conflict of interest before undertaking the work. 

The Consultant will discharge his/her functions exclusively as an advisor to UNFPA and the UN Joint Programme team (UNFPA, ILO and UNICEF) in partnership with the UN Resident Coordinator's office in Kenya. 

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