Consultant - Evaluation service

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT) Duty Station: Apia Classification of duty station: \[\[filter12\]\] Standard Duration of Assignement : \[\[filter13\]\] Job Family: Management/Audit/Oversight Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 1 March 2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- In the framework of the MPTF for COVID-19 Response funded project “Inclusive Economic Recovery through Sustainable Enterprises in the Informal Economies of Fiji, Palau, Tonga and Vanuatu”, UNESCO is supporting the cultural and creative industries as a part of the informal economy in Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Palau. The project addresses unemployment and aims to support sustainable enterprises in the informal sub-sectors following the impact of COVID-19. The local informal creative industries, mostly operating as micro home-based enterprises, have been particularly affected by the contraction of the tourism sector in these countries. The project will aim to strengthen the cultural industries, and capitalize on local creative talent through specialized skills transfer, market linkages, and by addressing pre-existing challenges in the structure and mechanisms of the informal economy. 1. **Purpose and Use** Under the direct supervision of the UNESCO Culture Programme Specialist in Apia, the consultant will perform an evaluation of achieved outcomes and harvest impact stories of the “Inclusive Economic Recovery through Sustainable Enterprise in the Informal Economies of Fiji, Palau, Tonga and Vanuatu” project in the four countries. This final review aims to ensure accountability, learning, project improvement and to build organizational knowledge that can be applied to upcoming projects. To this end the consultant is expected to: Long Description ---------------- 1. Review the results achieved under the project against the RBM indicators of the project document, with concise account of achievements and beneficiary numbers (data disaggregated by gender, age and marginalized groups); 2. Harvest outcomes and collect evidence of the change that this project has achieved. This might be beyond the initial set objectives; 3. Analyze how the project was affected and adapted to the COVID-19 crisis and other risks that occurred during the project’s implementation; 4. Identify lessons and potential good practices for the users of the evaluation to improve the project implementation; 5. Provide strategic recommendations for what may improve future project development and implementation; 6. Capture impact stories and human interest stories from key stakeholders (implementing partners, beneficiaries, etc) that show the project’s effects and identify long-term effects of the project; 7. When possible contribute to the Independent FINAL Joint evaluation and the joint Lesson learnt workshop that will be planned. 1. **Evaluation questions and Scope** In order to achieve these purposes, the evaluation will answer the following main questions pertaining to the above-mentioned evaluation dimensions: 1. 1. **Relevance**: 2. 1. 1. To what extent did the mater apprentice trainings respond to the needs of the creatives? 2. How well aligned where the specialized trainings to the needs of the creatives? 3. To what extent was the e-commerce assessment and training adapted to the needs of the creatives? 1. 2. **Coherence**: 1. 1. 1. To what extent were the various trainings well-coordinated and complimentary to each other? Long Description ---------------- 1. 3. **Effectiveness** and **impact**: 1. 1. 1. What has been the the most salient and overarching result of the trainings? 2. To what extent has the project impacted the way creative entrepreneurs manage their business? 3. To what extent did this project create confidence in entrepreneurs and a joint vision for the sector? 1. 4. **Efficiency**: 1. 1. 1. To what extent did the COVID-19 crisis affect the project’s implementation and how where activities adapted? 1. 5. **Sustainability**: 1. 1. 1. To what extent will the received skills be valuable in the future by creative entrepreneurs? 2. What are the main changes that have been achieved through this project that will have a long term impact for the creatives? **Methodology** 1. This evaluation will take place in a highly uncertain context brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic. In these circumstances, feasible approaches and methods will be explored in order to carry out the evaluation while being mindful of the safety and health of those involved and with as minimal impact as possible on the quality of the evaluation products. 2. The evaluation approach and data collection methods should be human rights-based and gender-sensitive and data should be disaggregated by sex, age and disability where relevant. The overall design should include several of the following methods of data collection: 1. A **document review** (compulsory) of relevant texts pertaining to the Strategy, which will be agreed at the start of the assignment. *Inter alia*, the evaluator(s) should identify and examine evaluation(s) of activities that have taken place under the umbrella of the Strategy and its / their specific findings and recommendations. 2. **Semi-structured interviews** (compulsory) with key stakeholders and beneficiaries. 3. An **online survey** (compulsory). Long Description ---------------- **Roles and Responsibilities** 1. The evaluation will be carried out under the direct supervision of the UNESCO Culture Programme Specialist in Apia who is responsible for the quality assurance of all deliverables. The evaluation consultant will be expected to develop a detailed evaluation methodology including an evaluation matrix and data collection tools, to enable data collection and analysis and to prepare the draft and final reports in English. 2. The project’s Technical Working Group may act as an evaluation reference group to accompany the evaluation process and provide feedback on the inception report and draft evaluation report. **Deliverables** 1. Evaluation method and instrument (matrix), list of key stakeholders to be included in the evaluation process, and a draft workplan for the evaluation; 2. Evaluation Report which will include: 1. an Executive summary with the methodology, key findings, conclusions and recommendations; 2. purposes, scope, and methodology of the evaluation (including limitations); 3. an analysis of the findings and a table presenting key outputs delivered under each Output; 4. identified findings, conclusions and recommendations ; 5. lessons learned and good practices; 6. annexes, including data files, including survey data, case studies and focus group discussions transcribes, etc.; 3. At least four impact stories showing the impact of the project, through the perspective of key stakeholders and providing insights on what has changed and how, and the degree to which the changes can be attributed to the project. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- **Education** Advanced university degree in social sciences, political sciences, economics, or other relevant field **Work experience** Previous proven experience in programme evaluation with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in this field demonstrating a strong record in designing, and conducting evaluations **Skills and competencies** 1. Excellent communication skills and English language skills 2. Knowledge of the Pacific context, including enterprise development, and creative industries development. **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- Experience with assignments for the UN. **FOR APPLICATION** ------------------- Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ([last update here](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.