International Consultant – Evaluation Team Leader

Position description

Result of Service

It is imperative that the evaluation method ensures that the perspectives of different stakeholders are captured, and recommendations are validated through the prism of nationally owned priorities observing UNEG Evaluation Report Standards. The evaluation team will proceed to structure the data gathering phase with close attention to the TOR and stakeholder analysis. Data collection methods must be linked to the evaluation criteria and evaluation questions that are included within the evaluation matrix. The precise data collection methods should be identified following the initial analysis of existing evaluative evidence and administrative data. The key evaluation deliverables include:

• Inception Report, containing a preliminary analysis of the CF ToC; an elaboration of the evaluation approach and methods, including a detailed evaluation matrix ; and a detailed evaluation plan and timeline, including a tentative list of interviews to be arranged or plans for field visits.
• Preliminary findings report or presentation (following the fact-finding mission), in a template to be agreed with the Evaluation Manager/EMG.
• Draft and final CF Evaluation Report, including the Executive Summary and Appendixes. No more than 60 pages (less the executive summary and annexes)
• Presentation of key findings and recommendations (PPT) to EMG and UNCT Albania. The consultant will have to possess their own computer and other technical equipment to complete the assignment. The documents produced during the period of this consultancy will be treated strictly confidential and the rights of distribution and/or publication shall solely reside with the United Nations Country Team in Albania.

Duties and Responsibilities

The evaluation team will consist of independent external consultants (international and national): One Evaluation Team leader (international) and one Team member (national evaluation specialist). The Evaluation Team Leader will conduct the evaluation process in a timely manner and communicate with the Evaluation Manager on a regular basis and highlight progress made/challenges encountered. The Evaluation Team Leader will be responsible for producing the inception report and the draft and final evaluation reports. In close collaboration with the Evaluation manager the Team Leader will take the lead role in conceptualization and design of the evaluation deliverables and shaping the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the report. Team Leader (external international) responsibilities:

• Develops an inception report and details the design, methodology (including the methods for data collection and analysis criteria for selection of projects, required resources), and work plan of the evaluation team.
• Directs and conducts the research and analysis of all relevant documentation;
• Decides the division of labour within the evaluation team and coordinates team tasks within the framework of the TORs;
• Oversees and quality assures the preparation of the report and takes a lead in the analysis of the evaluative evidence;
• Oversees the administration, and analysis of the results of the data collection exercise;
• Drafts the inception and evaluation reports, and coordinates the inputs from team members;
• Prepares for meetings with JEC, ESC, UNCT and other stakeholders to review findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Regularly briefs JEC, UNCT, EM and EMG on the evaluation progress through informal sessions and finalizes the report based on feedback from the quality assurance process;
• Delivers and presents the final evaluation report.

Qualifications/special skills

• A master’s degree in a relevant field (international development, economics, political science, governance, social sciences or a related field) is required.
• 10 years of working experience in evaluation of UN’s or other international organization strategic documents, including gender-responsive evaluations and gender analysis, UN agency country programme experience is required.
• Knowledge of relevant human rights issues, including forced displacement, and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions is required.
• Ability to facilitate, evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess the impact on human rights and gender equality. Ability to incorporate gender perspectives in all aspects of the evaluation report is required.
• Regional expertise in the region of the Western Balkans; Specific experience in Albania’s development context is desirable.
• Facilitation skills and ability to manage diversity of views in different development contexts are required.
• Ability to produce well written reports demonstrating analytical ability and communication skills is required.
• Experience with participatory approaches, organizational assessments partnership strategies and capacity development is required.
• Proven experience as an evaluation team leader with ability to lead and work with other evaluation experts is required.

Languages

• English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this post.

Application instructions

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