Consultancy: Senior Evaluator - Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems (CRVS) Summative Evaluation, Evaluation Office, NYHQ, 6.5 months

The Evaluation Office seeks a Senior Evaluator tto conduct a desk-based summative evaluation as part of a Evaluation of UNICEF work in strengthening civil registration and vital statistics systems.

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

As part of the Global Evaluation Plan (2017-2021), the UNICEF Evaluation Office is commissioning an evaluation of UNICEF’s contribution to strengthening civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. The evaluation will examine the relevance, effectiveness, coherence and innovation of UNICEF’s strategies and programmes to strengthen national CRVS and will comprise summative and formative elements.

Purpose and Objectives: 

The purpose of the consultancy is to support learning on what works to strengthen CRVS systems and under which circumstances. The intent is to inform the strategies, design and implementation of future UNICEF initiatives; and to contribute to UNICEF’s accountability for its performance and results.

The specific objective of the consultancy is to make a significant contribution to the independent corporate evaluation by a) carrying out four in-depth desk-based country studies; b) providing analytical oversight; and synthesizing the total set of 11 case studies in a summative report.  The 11 countries under consideration are: Bangladesh, Botswana, Guinea, Haiti, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

This will involve:

• Refining and finalizing the “annotated country case study outline”;
• Elaborating plans for cross-case analysis across the 11 cases;
• Devising a summative evaluation report outline;
• For the four assigned country cases, (1) analyzing a core set of documents that has been compiled by the UNICEF Evaluation Office; (2) determining and filling data gaps; (3) synthesizing knowledge across sources to clearly lay out:
• The specificities of the national CRVS system;
• The roles of other actors and stakeholders in the national CRVS response;
• The details of UNICEF’s programmatic response;
• Carrying out the comparative analysis of 11 cases;
• Drafting the evaluation report in accordance with the overall evaluation approach, plan and timeline;
• Revise case studies and draft reports based on feedback from the Evaluation Office, and other reviewers;
• Produce and provide a matrix that addresses the comments received from the Evaluation Office and other reviewers;
• Manage and keep updated the bibliography and knowledge sharing platform for each country case study, and the summative evaluation overall.

Deliverables:

The level of effort is estimated at 115 days over the period 27 July 2020 through 15 February 2021. Expected deliverables are as follows:

1.       Final template for desk study and evaluation report outline

2.       Pilot case study report

3.       Three remaining case study reports

4.       Draft summative evaluation report

5.       Final summative evaluation report

6.       Submission of full annexes, bibliographies, raw data and visual.

Each country case study report shall not exceed 25 pages in length, excluding annexes. The final summative evaluation report shall not exceed 50 pages in length, excluding annexes. 

Duty Station and Travel:

In consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UNICEF Evaluation Office is seeking an individual with the proven capacity for flexible and remote work arrangements. No travel is envisaged. The consultant will be home-based.

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

• An advanced university degree in the social or physical sciences or a related field;
• Demonstrated experience in conducting multi-country evaluations, research, data analytics or related work in CRVS programmes (at least 8 years);
• Excellent track-record in conducting systematic cross-case analysis;
• Documented experience in analyzing and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative information from different sources;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a remote team;
• Good communication and people skills; ability to express ideas and concepts concisely and clearly in written and oral form;
• Prior experience with UNICEF or the United Nations is an asset;
• Language proficiency: Fluency in English; ability to read French/Spanish an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

How to apply:

Applications must be sent by 07 July 2020 11.59 pm EST.

Applications must include:

• CV, which should include up-to-date contact details of at least three reference persons.
• Cover letter with the following information:

• Description of the applicant’s interest and relevant qualification/work experience for this assignment;
• A financial offer, with a single comprehensive daily rate in USD. Applications submitted without this rate will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.