Consultancy: Evaluation Specialists (multiple positions)- UNDP Evaluation ‘Financing the Pandemic Recovery: building forward better for a decade of delivery’.

Background

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is carrying out an evaluation of UNDPs work in support of ‘Financing the Pandemic Recovery:  building forward better for a decade of delivery’. The Evaluation is a new addition to the IEO work plan and comes in response to the 2020/2021 global pandemic and UNDP’s support to the preparedness, response and recovery to the pandemic.

The evaluation is formative in nature, recognising that UNDP’s response to the pandemic is ongoing and will inform UNDP’s support for building forward better focusing on the effectiveness of UNDP’s recovery financing support.

This evaluation will explore the level to which UNDP has been able to previously support and is able to continue to adapt to support the changing financial and fiscal needs demanded under the Decade of Action, and supporting the acceleration towards the SDGs as well as the newly emerging need to support the fiscal responses to the pandemic crisis, faced by many countries. Namely:

• Take stock of UNDPs work and support in SDG financing prior to and during the pandemic,
• Assess UNDP’s response to the pandemic including support and guidance given on financial and fiscal needs for the recovery ensuring equity, leaving no one behind and a green recovery.
• Assess the level to which UNDPs existing SDG financing service tools are being used in this new environment and can be used in the post pandemic recovery period.

The IEO is hiring evaluation consultants to assess UNDP contribution to SDG, Green Growth and pandemic financial support, including case study reviews across all regions UNDP operates (Africa, Arab states, Asia and Pacific, Latin American and the Caribbean, Europe and the CIS).

The assignment is most likely entirely home-based, depending on the progression of the pandemic and related safety conditions, with an estimated duration of 35 to 45 days (each consultant) between July to December 2021.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is carrying out an evaluation of UNDPs work in support of ‘Financing the Pandemic Recovery:  building forward better for a decade of delivery’. The Evaluation is a new addition to the IEO work plan and comes in response to the 2020/2021 global pandemic and UNDP’s support to the preparedness, response and recovery to the pandemic.

Recognising that UNDP’s response to the pandemic is ongoing and results are yet to fully emerge, the evaluation will take a formative approach, reviewing the SDG support and pandemic response process providing input for UNDP’s future recovery support to build forward better and finance the SDGs.

This evaluation will explore the level to which UNDP has been able to previously support and is able to continue to adapt to support the changing financial and fiscal needs demanded under the Decade of Action, and supporting the acceleration towards the SDGs as well as the newly emerging need to support the fiscal responses to the pandemic crisis, faced by many countries. Namely:

• Take stock of UNDPs work and support in SDG financing prior to and during the pandemic, at global, regional, and national levels.
• Assess UNDP’s response to the pandemic including support and guidance given on financial and fiscal needs, including consideration and inclusion within the UNDP supported socio-economic impact assessments (SEIAs), socio-economic response plans (SERPs) and support to national response and recovery processes, to ensure equity, leaving no one behind and a green recovery.
• Assess the level to which UNDPs existing SDG financing service tools are being considered by governments and partners in this new environment and can be used in the post pandemic recovery period.

Competencies

Functional competencies

• Strong analytical skills, including ability to quickly assess a diverse range of information with a discerning sense for quality of data.
• Good mastery of information technology required for organized presentation of information.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Adhere to the principle of confidentiality and ethical code of conducts during the evaluation.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Available to conduct required analysis within the agreed timelines.

Corporate Competencies

• Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, acting with professionalism, diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters’ degree or equivalent in economics, environmental economics, social sciences or a relevant field;

Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in programme evaluation and/or research at international level.
• Substantive knowledge of the evaluation focus including development financing, green financing, fiscal policy and global financing.
• Proficiency with data collection and analysis techniques and methods, particularly around qualitative data.
• Familiarity with UNDP or United Nations operations in the region is desirable.
• Experience working in at least one of UNDP programme regions.

Language:

• Fluency in English required.
• Fluency in Spanish, French, and/or Arabic advantageous.

Application Instructions

The following documents should be uploaded to the UNDP Jobs site as one document:

• A brief cover letter (250-400 words) specifying (a) your suitability for the position including the thematic areas of expertise and previous experience in evaluation and data collection and any experience related to the UNDP areas of work in the country/ region/ globally; and (b) details of any potential conflict of interest in having worked in a programmatic capacity for UNDP over the last 5 years;
• 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.

Please ensure that all required documents are combined and uploaded as one file as the system does not permit multiple uploads.