Gender and Evaluation Expert(s): assessment of UNDP's evaluations using UN System-wide Action Plan for Gender Mainstreaming (SWAP) Evaluation Performance Indicator

Background

The UN System Wide Action Plan on Gender Mainstreaming (UN-SWAP) was first introduced in 2011 as an accountability framework for gender mainstreaming in the UN system. In 2018 UN-SWAP was revised (UN SWAP 2.0) by including new Performance Indicators on gender-related and SDG relevant results, and leadership, as well as updating existing UN SWAP 1.0 Performance Indicators.

UN-SWAP 2.0 is organised in two sections, consisting of a set of 17 system-wide performance indicators. The first section focuses on gender-related SDG results, and includes the new Performance Indicators on results as well as the oversight functions of evaluation and audit. The second includes the existing and revised Performance Indicators from UN-SWAP 1.0, and a new Performance Indicator on leadership. The requirements for the Performance Indicators on Evaluation have been strengthened in UN-SWAP 2.0.

All UN entities are to self-assess and report on their implementation of UN-SWAP. The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of UNDP reports on UNDP’s performance against the Evaluation Performance Indicator. UN-SWAP Evaluation Performance Indicator (UN-SWAP EPI) assesses the extent to which the evaluation reports of an entity meet the gender-related UNEG Norms and Standards and demonstrate effective use of the UNEG Guidance on integrating human rights and gender equality during all phases of the evaluation.

IEO will hire an external reviewer (or two) to assess a sample of about 40 evaluations against performance criteria, in line with the UN Evaluation Group (UNEG) UN-SWAP Evaluation Performance Indicator Technical Note as revised in April 2018.  This Terms of Reference is for an external reviewer (or two) to carry out the assessment of these evaluations in English, French and Spanish.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review and become familiar with the UN-SWAP Evaluation Performance Indicator Technical Note and relevant UNEG documents (such as UNEG Norms and Standards, UNEG guidance note on integrating human rights and gender equality and other UNEG documents mentioned in the Technical Note) (Expected input: 1/2 day).
• Undertake a meta-review/evaluation of a set of evaluations published/produced in 2018 and uploaded on the Evaluation Resource Centre (ERC), in accordance with the guidance contained in the UNEG Guidance Document entitled “UN SWAP Evaluation Performance Indicator Technical Note (April 2018)”. The UNDP IEO will select the evaluations for review. The first two reviews will be shared with the UNDP IEO for feedback, after which the remaining reviews will be undertaken by the consultant. For each evaluation, fill in the UN-SWAP evaluation scorecard for each evaluation assessed (score for each criteria and explanation as to the rating) using a template to be provided by the UNDP IEO. (Expected input: It is expected that the consultant will be able to assess 2 to 3 evaluations per working day).
• Prepare a short paper summarizing findings related to the evaluability of gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEEW) aspects of the interventions assessed, the extent to which gender-responsive stakeholder analyses are undertaken, the capacity of the evaluation teams to conduct gender-responsive evaluations, the extent to which management responses to the evaluations address GEEW issues raised in the evaluation, and any other observations arising from the review. (Expected input: ½ - 1 day).

Deliverables

• Assessment (in English) of two evaluations, using the scoring sheet provided, to be discussed with the UNDP IEO and adjusted as necessary;
• Draft assessment of the remaining evaluations assigned, with scoring and comprehensive explanations for the scores given, in the template provided by the IEO, by 10 December 2018. The assessments will be written in English, regardless of the language of the evaluation report;
• Draft short paper (2-3 pages, in English) with observations, based on the evaluations reviewed and to the extent information is available, on the evaluability of GEEW aspects of the interventions assessed, the extent to which gender-responsive stakeholder analyses were undertaken, the capacity of the evaluation teams to conduct gender-responsive evaluations, the extent to which management responses to the evaluations address GEEW issues raised in the evaluation, and any other observations arising from the review, by 10 December 2018; and
• Final assessment and paper following IEO comments, by 16 December 2018.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of principles and methods of evaluation, particularly in the context of international development;
• Demonstrated grasp and understanding of gender issues, in general, and preferably in the UN system;
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information with a discerning sense for quality of data;
• Good mastery of information technology required for organized presentation of information;
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Proven organizational skills and ability to handle a large volume of work; and
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling UN values and ethical standards, including UNEG norms;
• Acts as a team player and exercises diplomacy, tact and politeness; and
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree or higher in the social sciences, humanities, public policy, international relations, natural sciences or other field relevant to UNDP’s work.

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in gender programming, monitoring and/or evaluation in the UN and/or international development. Familiarity with UNDP and its programme evaluation a plus.
• Experience in gender evaluation and techniques of undertaking meta-review and synthesis of evaluation reports.

Language

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in or the ability to easily read French and Spanish is a significant advantage.  Priority will be given to candidates with the necessary experience and able to work in all three languages (English, French and Spanish). In the event there are no candidates with the necessary experience and ability to work in all three languages, the assignment will be split between two consultants (i.e. one assessing English and Spanish and the other assessing English and French), with an adjustment to the number of days for each contract.

Application Instructions

Applicants are invited to upload as one combined document the following documents to the UNDP Jobs site:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of at least three (3) professional references; and
• A completed Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Form that indicates your daily rate for this consultancy;

Candidates not sending any of the requested information will be disqualified. Please note that the system can only accept one uploaded document therefore all documents must be combined into a single document for upload.