Consultant on Monitoring and Evaluation

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration Expected Duration: this consultancy assignment is for a period of 35 working days from March to July 2022.

Duties and Responsibilities Background and objectives

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 38 Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

The Secretary-General in his report on options to assess the impact and progress made by the UN system in support of the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, noted that the UN system faces challenges in presenting quantifiable progress in implementing the Strategy. This is in view that the Strategy and its accompanying plan of action do not include a mechanism to monitor and track progress against the expected results and impact under each of the four pillars.

Under the framework of the seventh review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/RES/75/291) the General Assembly requests UNOCT in close cooperation with Member States and all concerned UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities, to assess, as appropriate, methodologies and tools for a results framework to ensure comprehensive, balanced and integrated implementation of the Strategy by the entities subordinate to the General Assembly, and to report in this regard as part of the report foreseen in February 2023 to the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session. Work Assignment

UNOCT is seeking a specialist consultant in the field of monitoring and evaluation as related to CT/PCVE with experience in conducting impact evaluations as an advisory and consultative capacity. The consultant will work remotely under the overall guidance of the Head of the Programme Management Unit (PMU) in the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre and in close coordination with the Evaluation Officer in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General in UNOCT.

Mandated scope of the assignment:

Under UNOCT’s guidance, to assess and draft an expert report on methodologies and tools for a results framework to ensure comprehensive, balanced and integrated implementation of the Strategy by the entities subordinate to the General Assembly. The consultant will provide expert capacities as related to measuring impacts.

Specific tasks for the incumbent will include:

Draft inception report with the proposed methodology to undertake the assignment and workplan. Based on the approved inception report, undertake desk review analysis comprising of: Review select monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, methodologies and tools utilized to assess the effectiveness and impact of counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism projects and interventions by UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities as well as by international and regional organizations.

Review select Member States’ mechanisms to assess their progress in delivering their national and regional counter-terrorism strategies and implementing their obligations under relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

Organize virtual consultations with select entities of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact through the Resource Mobilization, Monitoring and Evaluation (RMME) Working Group, taking into consideration past and ongoing initiatives of the Working Group (e.g. meta-synthesis evaluation).

Organize virtual consultations with the select Member States for whom their M&E mechanisms were reviewed as well as international and regional organizations.

Facilitate, contribute to and moderate discussions during a Virtual Expert Meeting organized by UNOCT for the presentation of the initial key findings of the desk review. This includes preparation of presentation, agenda and concept paper.

Draft a detailed outline for the report, based on key findings from the desk review, consultations, and guidance from UNOCT, by 15 April 2022.

Draft the report within its mandated scope, based on the desk review and consultations, following an outline agreed upon with UNOCT and under its continuous guidance, with a first iteration by 1 May 2022 for UNOCT’s review; a second iteration by 10 June 2022 for both UNOCT and the Global Compact review and a final draft by 15 July 2022 for UNOCT’s clearance. The report to include the following:

Comparative analysis of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, methodologies and tools utilized to assess the effectiveness and impact of counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism projects and interventions by UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities and select Member States, international and regional organizations.

Recommendations for the design of a systematic approach for entities to measure outcomes and impact in delivering the four pillars of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, including the process for establishing such an approach.

Recommendations pertaining to measuring outcome and impact performance indicators with quantitative and qualitative tools.

Recommendations for greater standardization and alignment of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, methodologies and tools used by Global Compact entities to assess the impact of their counter-terrorism and prevent violent extremism activities.

Identification of any underlying assumptions that must be in place for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to be successful and common risk assessment tools that also improve the delivery and impact of projects.

Facilitate and present the outcomes of the report to UNOCT and the RMME Working Group. Consider comments and feedback received on the report from UNOCT and other Global Compact entities and finalize the report.

Recommend linkages between the suggested methodologies and the UNOCT Strategic Plan and Programme Framework (2022-2025) and its Results Framework, including providing recommendation for monitoring and evaluating the UNOCT Results Framework.

Qualifications/special skills Competency: Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to monitoring and evaluation of counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism programmes. Excellent knowledge of qualitative, and quantitative evaluation methods. Ability to identify issues, analyze 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 judgment 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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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. Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, public policy, policy analysis, international law, international relations or another relevant field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluation at the international level as related to counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism is required. Proven in-depth knowledge and experience on impact evaluations issues; and experience in the evaluation of normative and institutional support work within the UN. Proven experience in drafting evaluation reports, analytical papers or M&E guidelines in relation to monitoring and evaluation as related to counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism is required. Good knowledge of United Nations counter-terrorism related instruments, documents and architecture, in particular the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its four pillars, and the UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism is desirable.. Language: English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Additional Information Please apply to Job Opening by the deadline.

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.