Research Consultant , Common Chapter (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women)

Background

In line with requests expressed by the General Assembly through its Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review, resolution 71/243, as well as the Secretary General’s reforms for the repositioning of the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women have committed to working better together, with a view to achieving greater coherence in support of results. This commitment is embodied in a Common Chapter of their respective Strategic Plans for 2018-2021.

In response to request from respective executive boards, the evaluation offices of UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women are jointly evaluating the strategies, implementation modalities, and initial results arising from the agreed joint actions in the ‘key collaborative areas’ set out in the common chapter. The four evaluation offices have established an evaluation management group (EMG) composed of senior evaluators of the four offices to lead this joint evaluation, under the oversight of a steering committee composed of evaluation directors. An initial approach note, annexed to this document, was designed proposing a phased approach to the evaluation of the common chapter, which will be composed of 3 distinct but interrelated exercises: A baseline study; an evaluation of accelerator initiatives, and a final evaluation of the common chapter to be presented to Executive Boards of the four agencies in 2020-2021.

The following presents the terms of reference for a research consultant position to assist the development of the first phase of the joint evaluation effort, which includes the baseline study of Common Chapter. It has been agreed amongst the four agencies, that UNDP will manage this consultancy.

Duties and Responsibilities

The research consultant will be responsible for supporting research and data collection/analysis for Common Chapter initiatives under phase one. The consultant will work directly with a senior consultant under the supervision of the management group of the evaluation. Broadly, the type of activities the consultant may be assigned include:

• Support the organization of a workshop to develop the Theory of Change for the Common Chapter with EMG and key stakeholders;
• Conduct desk reviews pertaining to conceptual, programmatic and financial activity of relevant work in the evaluation’s scope;
• Support survey and gathering of both external and corporately-available documents, data, and information relevant to the countries and programmes under review;
• Prepare of a set of preliminary research and analytical material as required;
• Collect and analyzing other pertinent qualitative and quantitative information;
• Support interviews, including logistics and organizations;
• Support communications activities to promote the Common Chapter evaluation;
• Perform additional research support as required to the evaluation team; and
• Contribute to the drafting of the final report.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling UN values and ethical standards
• Acts as a team player and facilitate team work
• Maintains confidentiality

Functional Competencies

• Strong research and analytical skills, including ability to collect reliable, valid and accurate information and quickly digest and analyze a diverse range of information and data collected from varied sources
• Knowledge of software packages available for quantitative and quantitative analysis, including databases, spreadsheets and statistical packages
• Experience working on human rights, gender equality, with marginalized groups, and areas of the collaboration listed in the common chapter is an asset
• Knowledge of UN system and the SDGs
• Use of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Ability to prioritize tasks; and plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals (project management skills).

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Time management and ability to handle a large volume of work
• Knowledge sharing and lesson learning
• Manages conflict

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in the social sciences or a relevant field.

Experience:

• 2-5 years research in areas relevant to the evaluation; and
• Experience working on international development issues.

Language:

• Fluency in English required;
• Fluency in Spanish and French advantageous.

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;
• A completed Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Form that indicates your daily rate for this consultancy;

Please note that the system can only accept one uploaded document therefore all documents must be combined into a single document for upload.