Climate Adaptation Project Evaluation Expert - level C

Result of Service Final evaluation report including relevant annexes; final substantive and certified project report. The final evaluation report should assess the ClimaProof project in its entirety starting with the inception phase until the final phase, as described in detail in the preceding parts of this JO; the evaluator should use specific evaluation criteria to assess the project and OECD/DAC and ADA criteria: all evaluations should be relevant to the context, coherent with other interventions, achieve their objectives, deliver results in an efficient way, and have positive impacts that last. The evaluator should assess Coherence, Effectiveness, and Sustainability of ClimaProof project activities and outputs, using different methods such as desk review of all relevant documentation, interviews with individuals or groups, surveys, and other data collection tools (such as two missions to two countries in the sub-region), to draft first the inception meeting, then first draft of the evaluation report and final draft to be certified. The terminal evaluation consists of inception phase, Data and information acquisition, Drafting Phase, Quality Assurance, Final and Reporting phase and Evaluation closure, please refer to the preceding timeframe for detailed description of activities during each phase.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration The consultant will be hired for a minimum of 55 days spread over the period of March 2022 to July 2022.

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – Vienna Programme Office is currently implementing the project “Enhancing Environmental Performance and Climate Proofing of Infrastructure Investments in the Western Balkan Region from an EU integration perspective (ClimaProof)”, financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) through a grant agreement. As the project has reached the final phase of implementation and is scheduled to complete by end of November 2021, results of the final evaluation will be used for measuring the impact of the project and the level of achievement of the established project objectives.

The project “Enhancing Environmental Performance and Climate Proofing of Infrastructure Investments in the Western Balkan Region from an EU integration perspective” (ClimaProof) is financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and implemented by the UNEP Vienna Programme Office. ClimaProof will result in increased technical capacities of the relevant national authorities in the six Western Balkan (WB) countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo (cf. UNSCR 1244/99), Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) in the field of climate change adaptation (CCA), specifically climate proofing of road infrastructure, green infrastructure and evidence-based policy development. The project has a specific emphasis on capacity building, with directly trained officials and further training of colleagues through a peer-to-peer approach. The long-term objective of ClimaProof is to contribute to the reduction of climate change risks in the WB region while raising awareness, strengthening capacities and creating an enabling environment for investment in green infrastructure. The project aims to improve the technical capacities of the WB in climate proofing their investments in the road infrastructure while developing national and international frameworks through integration of EU best practices. The project is also expected to raise awareness among relevant government officials in the WB for potential climate change impacts on road infrastructure and of the specific needs of the infrastructure sectors to increase resilience, while including cross-cutting issues such as public participation and gender equality. This is expected to be achieved through the development of a regional strategy on climate resilient infrastructure, tailor-made training modules and development of guidelines, enhanced dialogue via regional communication tools as well as exchange of information, experiences and best practices via networking and training events.

ClimaProof consists of three components: 1) Understanding the future climate and weather patterns in the target region: strengthening national capacities to understand climate change and climate change related risks in the region through improvement of the information base; which aims to expand and improve the information base on climate change and weather patterns in the region. - Activity 1.1: Detailed gap analysis on the state of climate change in the WB region - Activity 1.2: Methodology for high resolution climate change projections in the WB region - Activity 1.3: Enhanced technical capacity to develop high resolution climate change projections through a valley-by-valley model with an emphasis on learning by doing

2) Planning for the future climate and weather patterns in the target region: strengthening national capacities to integrate climate change projections and climate proofing and green infrastructure in infrastructure development on a regional and national level; focuses on assisting countries in the development of national and regional frameworks, with the aim of mainstreaming climate-proofing of road infrastructure and green infrastructure into spatial planning and infrastructure development. - Activity 2.1: Assessment of CCA policies and EIA and SEA procedures in the WB countries - Activity 2.2: Enhanced technical capacity of relevant national stakeholders to effectively respond to climate change related risks through climate proofing measures, including green infrastructure

3) Building infrastructure adapted to the future climate and weather patterns in the target region: creating an enabling environment for regional cooperation and investments in climate resilient infrastructure in the WB; consists of concrete steps fostering regional cooperation and assisting the countries in mainstreaming EU best practices on economic instruments for financing resilient infrastructure and fund-raising adequate investments for sustainable infrastructure development. - Activity 3.1: Regional strategy for climate resilient infrastructure development, followed with an action plan identifying concrete climate proofing measures including green infrastructure - Activity 3.2: Enhanced national capacities for replicating EU best practices regarding financing and economic instruments for climate proofing and green infrastructure - Activity 3.3: Guidelines on EU best practices on economic instruments - Activity 3.4: Fund-raising mechanisms for climate resilient infrastructure development. - Activity 3.5: Evaluation mechanism for project proposals integrating climate proofing and green infrastructure

The purpose of this assignment is to perform and recieve the final evaluation of the Climaproof project, which is an independent assessment of the project and its performance as well as to measure the impact, level of achievement and quality of the ClimaProof project. The evaluation report should elaborate on the project results and activities and further prepare recommendations for future action in the area of climate-resilient infrastructure development in the WB region.

The evaluation aims to: - Support accountability, including the provision of information to the public. - Support learning, through generating and feeding back findings and lessons. The evaluation should further assess the extent to which the ADA-funded project adheres to: - ADA’s basic principles and quality criteria for programme and project design including equity, participation and empowerment. - Its human rights-based approach (HRBA) to development. - The cross-cutting issues governing ADA’s work such as environment and climate change and gender equality. These issues should be considered and applied within each phase of the evaluation process and be followed through as an integral key part.

The final evaluation report should assess the ClimaProof project in its entirety starting with the inception phase until the final phase. The evaluator(s) should include all six economies of the WB region in the assessment in order to gain comprehensive insights and possible comparative results on successes and challenges of project implementation. The evaluator will visit two economices out of six: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo (Under UNSCR 1244/99), Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The two out of six countries for field visit will be decided in the inception phase of the evaluation.

A limited number of workshop and training participants should be included in the evaluation. Not all participants and stakeholders need to be consulted since this would prolong and complicate the evaluation process. However, input for the evaluation should stem from a variety of stakeholders with differing backgrounds (authorities, research, civil society etc.) from at least four different WB countries. This qualitative assessment ensures that different views on the project are included.

1. Evaluation Questions The final evaluation and its questions shall orientate along the criteria of the OECD/DAC with the assessment of the Coherence, Effectiveness, and Sustainability of ClimaProof project activities and outputs.

2. Design and Approach The final evaluation process will use a participatory approach whereby key stakeholders are kept informed and will be consulted. Both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods will be used as appropriate to determine project achievements against the expected outputs, outcome and impact. It is recommended that the evaluation staff maintains close communication with the project team and promotes information exchange in order to increase their and the stakeholder’s ownership of the evaluation findings. The entire evaluation process should be conducted over a period of 4-6 months. The total number of working days should be proposed by the evaluator(s). It is expected that the evaluator spends a minimum of 55 working days on this assignment. The whole process should closely follow and respect the OECD/DAC standards for evaluation as well as assess the HRBA as formulated by the Austrian Development Cooperation. The findings of the evaluation should be based on the following: (a) A desk review (b) Interviews (individual or in group) (c) Survey (as deemed necessary/ beneficial by the evaluation consultant(s)) (d) Other data collection tools and methods (as deemed necessary/ beneficial by the evaluation consultant(s)) The collection of data and information from multiple sources ensures balanced and different views on the project, as well as triangulation of outcomes and outputs.

The evaluation process should be structured into different phases and deliverables. A) Inception phase Gather all relevant documents, reports, publications, recordings and other material, as applicable. The extent of project materials will be scoped, and the detailed evaluation approach and methodology finalized in consultation with the project team. Deliverables: Assessment of project design quality; Evaluation framework and evaluation schedule, Inception report B) Data and information acquisition All additional information and data should be collected through selected interviews, literature review, survey and other data collection tools and methods as deemed necessary in the evaluation inception phase. Interviewees shall include the above-mentioned stakeholders. All ADC standards and cross-cutting principles, e.g. on data protection, privacy and gender equality need to be adhered to. Deliverables: n/a C) Drafting Phase The evaluation consultant(s) compiles all information within the evaluation framework and draws first assessments and conclusions. The sharing of preliminary findings is intended to support the participation of the project team, act to ensure all information sources have been accessed and provide an opportunity to verify emerging findings. Deliverable: Preliminary Findings Note / Draft evaluation report D) Final and reporting phase The evaluation staff finalizes the draft evaluation report and its findings, after having received the feedback and statements for the preliminary findings note. The comprehensive draft and final evaluation report should contain an executive summary that can act as stand-alone document, a detailed analysis of the evaluation findings organized by evaluation criteria and supported with evidence; lessons learned and recommendations and an annotated assessment table. Deliverables: Executive summary; Final evaluation report including relevant annexes; Final substantive and certified project report

For the present evaluation, the lead evaluation consultant will work under the overall responsibility of UNEP, Programme Office in Vienna. The lead evaluation consultant will liaise with the evaluation manager on any procedural and methodological matters related to the evaluation, including potential travel. It is, however, the consultants` individual responsibility to arrange for any required visas, immunizations, as well as to plan meetings with stakeholders, organize online surveys, obtain documentary evidence and any other logistical matters related to the assignment. The UNEP (Vienna) project manager and project team will, where possible, provide logistical support allowing the evaluation consultant(s) to conduct the evaluation as efficiently and independently as possible. The lead consultant may choose his or her personnel arrangements within the communicated budgetary and administrative framework. In close consultation with the donor and the implementing partner UNEP, the evaluation consultant is responsible for the overall management of the evaluation and timely provision of its outputs, data collection, analysis and report writing.

Qualifications/special skills Competency: Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgement in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently; Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable; Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree in environmental sciences, international development, civil engineering or other relevant areas is required. Experience: A minimum of 7 years of technical evaluation experience is required. Experience in evaluating transboundary regional projects as well as good understanding of OECD/DAC evaluation criteria is required. Experience working in the Western Balkans region is required. Working experience in a United Nations Common System organization or a similar international organization is desirable. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Serbian, Croatian, or Bosnian is an asset.

Additional Information The selected candidate must not have been involved in the design or implementation of the Climaproof project and not have other obligations or commitments with the implementing partner or project partners that could jeopardize impartiality.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.