Consultancy - Researcher for the Evaluation of the UNICEF Gender Action Plan, Evaluation Office, Remote, 70 days (part-time over 9 months)

The researcher will support the team leader and team members in data collection, undertaking an in-depth documentary review and preparing inputs to the evaluation report deliverables. Duty station: Remote Duration: 70 days over nine months, from January to September 2019.

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, evaluate

The UNICEF Evaluation Office is commissioning an independent evaluation to assess the implementation and results of the Gender Action Plans 2014-2017 to 2018-2021. The evaluation will cover the GAP I and the GAP II. It will look at the strategic positioning of gender in UNICEF. It will examine the conceptual shift of GAP I to II and the approach to mainstreaming gender equality in programme and operations, institutional set-up as well as the results achieved. It will assess the integration of gender and results achieved in both (i) programmatic sectors/areas and (ii) institutional systems and processes.

The scope of the evaluation, methodological options and operational modalities are for a team of four consultants who will be conducting the evaluation under the guidance of a Senior Evaluation Officer at the UNICEF Evaluation Office.  The Evaluation Office is looking for individuals with a deep commitment and strong skills in evaluation and gender analysis.

The primary objective of the evaluation is to contribute to improving the organization's accountability for its performance and results on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The secondary objective of the evaluation is to generate evidence and learning to guide effective action towards strengthening gender equality in programmes and systems. In doing so, the overall evaluation objective is to assess how the Gender Action Plan has contributed towards UNCIEF achievement of its gender equality objective. The timing for the GAP evaluation is coordinated with a presentation to the UNICEF Executive Board in 2020, and will inform the development of the next iteration of the Gender Action Plan starting in 2021.

The evaluation will serve the following specific objectives:

1. To assess the relevance of GAPs conceptual design and Theory of Change from the point of view of UNICEF's mandate as defined by the CRC and CEDAW, and the organization's obligation to the SDGs and UN SWAP as captured in the Strategic Plan 2018-2021 and other corporate strategy documents.
2. To provide an independent assessment of the progress made towards achieving the programmatic results outlined in the GAP,
3. To assess the coherence, effectiveness and efficiency in the institutional implementation of the GAP.
4. Provide lessons, conclusions andC recommendations to improve the design of the next Gender Action Plan, and the implementation and management of GAP 2018-2021.

How can you make a difference?

The researcher will support the team leader and team members in data collection, undertaking an in-depth documentary review and preparing inputs to the evaluation report deliverables.

In close cooperation, and under the supervision of the team leader, the researcher is expected to:

• Conduct the data collection and assemble relevant data and information;
• Conduct interviews as required;
• Undertake desk-review of data sources and materials relevant to the evaluation and undertake analysis;
• Prepare matrices and other formats required for systematic analysis and synthesis of the material reviewed;
• Draft literature review report;
• Contribute to the inception report, draft report and country briefs.

Deliverables and estimated timeframe:

The Consultancy is for 70 days during nine months from January to September 2019.

The implementation of the evaluation is expected to follow the following time schedule. 

All deliverables mentioned in this section are to be acted upon according to the corresponding three points mentioned in the major duties section of the attached Terms of Reference:   https://www.unicef.org/evaluation/index_68493.html

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

• An advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in public health, education, nutrition, child protection or a related field.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in both qualitative and quantitative data analysis; knowledge management for evaluation, information technology and data management;
• Experience in supporting senior evaluators in ensuring use of consistent interview protocols, templates for recording and reporting on interviews, standard case study report formats and a comparative table of findings;
• Familiarity with gender equality and related issues/sectors an advantage.
• Expertise in handling collaborate teamwork software, online surveys, document repositories, bibliography software and databases.
• Commitment to handling back-office support and logistics as needed.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is an asset. 

For every child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Additional information on how to apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following documents through the vacancy portal.

• Cover Letter describing previous experience in this area and how to ensure they will meet the required deadline and describing key milestones.
• CV and completed candidate profile in the UNICEF e-Recruitment System 
• A financial offer, with a single comprehensive daily rate in USD. Applications submitted without this rate will not be considered.
• Travel arrangements will be made directly by the consultant and reimbursed as per UNICEF travel policy.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.