International Consultancy - WCARO Evaluation Data Visualization

To fill a consultancy position - WCARO Evaluation Data Visualization

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, a future

Background

Low evaluation use is one of the greatest barriers to evidence-decision making for children in the West and Central Africa Region (WCAR). While many Evaluation Terms of Reference (ToR) have often emphasized the technical quality of the evaluation planning and implementation, less resources have been devoted to the dissemination of the evaluation findings and conclusions. In response to such weakness, the UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa (WCARO) has increasingly emphasized the strategic relevance of visualizing evaluation results, promoting the use of evaluation findings and conclusions and following up on the implementation of evaluation recommendations. In line with the Organization’s Revised Evaluation Policy (June 2018) which identifies use as one of its three purposes (besides accountability and learning), WCARO is investing a great deal of resources to enhance the visibility and sharing of children-focused evidence among Country Offices (CO) and between the Regional Office (RO) and CO.  All these endeavours have the clear objective of disseminating credible evaluative evidence towards more impactful, holistic and equity-oriented programming for children in the 24 countries that fall under WCARO’s responsibility.

How can you make a difference?

Objectives

The purpose of the assignment consists in assisting the WCARO PM&E section (Evaluation function) in performing activities related to the Evaluation Visualization and Evaluation Use Promotion both at the RO and CO level.

As part of its mission, the Evaluation function at WCARO is committed to strengthening the visualization and fostering the use of several evaluation products submitted to RO and CO in the region (such products include the following: inception reports, the draft evaluation reports, final evaluation reports, evaluation synthesis and evaluation management responses). Given the double-fold increase of evaluation products between 2018 and 2019 (15 inception reports, 25 draft reports, 25 final reports until February 2019 + an ever higher number of products for the  2019 cycle) and the frequent iterations associated with each individual review, WCARO is expected to provide  more quality assurance and technical oversight than in the past. Therefore, there is an apparent and urgent need for recruiting additional technical expertise that could contribute to strengthening not both the quality of evaluation deliverables and the visualization, dissemination and use of the related findings.

Such additional human resource will allow WCARO to successfully handle all the above-mentioned activities and would greatly facilitate the use of evaluation findings in the operationalization of the new Key Results for Children (KRC) in WCAR. In light of the needs identified above, WCARO is currently looking for an experienced evaluator with a strong evaluation background and strong evaluation visualization skills.

Scope of work

Working under the supervision of the Regional Evaluation Adviser, the Consultant will support the RO and CO staff responsible for evaluation in ensuring that their evaluations findings, conclusions and recommendations are useful and adequately communicated to the evaluation key users and the the wider public.

To achieve the objectives of this assignment, the Evaluation Consultant will support the evaluation processes to ensure the production of independent, credible evidence that meets high professional standards in line with UN norms and standards and codes of conduct for evaluation in the UN system, embodied in UNICEF’s evaluation standards. In extrapolating the information to disseminate and in crafting the key messages to disseminate amongst a larger audience, the consultant will contribute to the:

• Visualization of the results of the evaluation reports submitted to the UNICEF RO for final validation before publication (e.g. inception or draft final reports, final reports, evaluation synthesis, etc…) ;
• Development of appropriate policy and communication briefs;
• Creation of a specific WCARO evaluation tab on the WCARO teamsite (this would ensure that evaluation materials, such as reports and checklists, be available to UNICEF staff at all times);
• Review of GEROS and UNEG compliance of the evaluation reports to be visualized;
• Visualization of thematic synthesis of past evaluations.

Based on needs, the consultant may also undertake up to three evaluation field work missions within the scope of evaluations for which the RO or CO will not be able to identify suitable candidates through the regular advertisement channels.

Deliverables and Schedules

• A strategy that would present in detail the process to be followed every time a report submitted to the system will be ready for visualization;
• One-pager or two-pager Visualization tools (e.g. infographics), summarizing the finding, conclusions and recommendations of all the evaluation reports and evaluation synthesis (the length of the visualization tool will be determined in agreement with the Regional Evaluation Adviser and the CO/RO section responsible for the management of the evaluation to be visualized);
• Blogs and other interactive visual tools on WCARO evaluation to be posted within UNICEF (and outside of UNICEF as needed);
• A refined and up-to-date WCARO Evaluation Tab (both internal and open to the public);
• End-of-consultancy final report along with a summary of feedback and technical supports provided during the course of the assignment (within 14 days since the last deliverable reviewed in agreement with the Regional Evaluation Adviser);
• Written comments on how to enhance the GEROS compliance of the reports to be visualized

Timing

The total duration of the contract is 80 days over the period from December 2018 to October 2019.

The consultant is expected to work remotely and to engage in up to three evaluation missions to CO in the region (to be determined based on needs) during the period covered by this contract.

Reporting Requirements

The consultant will be supervised by WCAR Regional Evaluation Adviser. He will be responsible for overseeing the work as well as ensuring it adheres to UNICEF standards and is of good quality.

Monthly (or less frequent depending on the arrangements with the consultant and volume of work) payments will be done on the basis of an activity log and invoice.

Payments will be withheld in case of unsatisfactory performance.

Administrative Issues

 The consultant recruitment conditions:

• He/she will be recruited for a part-time assignment, home-based (two missions will be conducted based on needs;
• He/she will report directly to WCARO’s Regional Evaluation Adviser;
• Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment;
• The contract may not commence unless signed by both UNICEF and the Consultant
• Consultant is sent the forms and the links to the learning portal after he/she has been selected.

The consultant will be in charge of paying his own travels and daily subsistence allowances (DSA). WCARO will advance money for this upon request.

The Evaluation Technical Support Consultant working conditions:

• He/she will work almost of the consultancy time from home using own equipment and stationery
• He/she will travel to up to 2 countries as necessary and as determined by Country Office needs and in consultation with the Regional Evaluation Adviser.
• During evaluation missions, UNICEF COs will provide working space for the consultant, preferably with implementing partner.

Interested individuals with the required profile are invited to submit an offer.

The offer should contain :

1. Cover Letter including the proposed daily fee in USD
2. CV
3. P11 form (which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc)
4. An electronic link presenting the consultant’s portfolio of evaluation data visualization
5. 2-3 recommendation letters or evaluation forms of recent works done, if available

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

Education and experience:

• Master or Ph.D. in Evaluation or related subjects;
• Training in Evaluation data visualization (alternatively, the consultant’s portfolio would need to demonstrate at least 7 years of evaluation visualization experience);
• At least 7 years of experience in the conduct of Evaluation is required;
• Strong experience with UNICEF Evaluation processes, especially in the West and Central African Region;
• Prior Visualization work of qualitative data;
• Prior visualization work of quantitative data;
• Prior evaluation visualization work done for UNICEF in the past would be considered an advantage;
• Fluency in English and in French (Spanish and Portuguese would be an asset).

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

  Skills and capabilities:

• Demonstrated advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative evaluation visualization (e.g. being responsible for the management of an evaluation visualization website) ; Ability to engage diverse internal and external stakeholders on data visualization;
• Ability to provide capacity development in data visualization;
• Ability to work in and manage teams, conflicts and solve problems;

• Good communication skills (writing and oral)

  Desired Experience:

• Experience in the visualization of UNICEF evaluation products will be considered an advantage;
• Past publications on evaluation data visualization published in peer-reviewed journals;
• Familiarity with the use of GEROS guidelines will be considered an advantage
• Management of evaluation team(s) and/or supervise monitoring/assessment staff and processes;
• Prior work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Work/travel experience in the region.

For every Child, you make a difference

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

The technical competencies required for this post are….

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.”

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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