Evaluation Expert - International Consultant

Result of Service As a general objective of the evaluation, it is intended to assess the level of performance of the UNDAF 2019-2023 and its contribution to the expected results, applying an evidence-based approach, also serving as a basis for the formulation of the next Cooperation Framework. The specific objectives of the evaluation are: 1. Ensure accountability for UN actions to interested parties. 2. Analyze in a transparent and participatory manner national progress, challenges and opportunities, and best approaches in the context of the system-wide national response, reaching conclusions on the UN's contribution across the scope under review. 3. Provide clear recommendations to support and enhance the contribution of the next CF and ensure accelerated progress towards the SDGs. These recommendations should be logically linked to the conclusions and findings of the evaluation and should be based on the lessons learned identified through the evaluation, including the issues and inputs of the counterparts involved.

Work Location Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Expected duration 2 months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Background and Reporting

The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) is since 2019 redefined as the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework on (hereinafter CF). It is the reference instrument of the United Nations System (UNS), for the collective planning and implementation of UNS development interventions in support of and contribution to the development priorities of the member counties, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 2063 African Union's Agenda. The implementation of the current UNDAF in Equatorial Guinea covers the period 2019-2023, with 2022 (the penultimate year of the framework) being the year in which the external evaluation is expected to be conducted.

The UNDAF 2019-2023 was signed in October 2018 and aligns globally with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, at the regional level with the 2063 Agenda of the African Union and, at the national level, with the National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES) 'Equatorial Guinea Horizon 2020' (PNDES 2020 onwards). It is a development strategy whose implementation covered the period 2008-2020 and was framed in an economic context dominated by the oil sector and with a marked participation of the State, thus arising the need to promote, from the resources generated by the exploitation of hydrocarbons, another type of economic model, more oriented to diversification, with a greater presence of the private sector and in which social welfare is promoted. The PNDES 2020 aimed to make Equatorial Guinea an emerging economy by the year 2020, which implied improving the living conditions of the population and social cohesion, as well as consolidating the state of peace and stability that it enjoys. In this regard, strengthening of the capacities of the Public Administration is one of the areas covered by the PNDES 2020, due to its moderate development in the country, especially the issues related to the gender approach, human rights, transparency and accountability; all key elements to influence the development of the country in its strategic areas such as health, education and social protection, as well as sustainable environmental management. To put it into practice, measures were put in place to strengthen the equitable access of the population to quality public services, the participation of citizens in decision-making1 . To respond to these priorities, the current UNDAF was formulated taking as a reference the strategic axes of the PNDES 2020 (except for the infrastructure development axis) and based on the final evaluation of the previous UNDAF (2013-2017), together with the last Common Country Analysis (CCA), conducted in 2017. In this way and based on the comparative advantages of the United Nations system in Equatorial Guinea, four strategic priorities were identified as areas of cooperation and eight results at the level of effects. Table 1 shows the areas of cooperation of the UNDAF, and their respective effects, as well as the government partners and the Agencies, Funds and Programmes involved. The details of the theory of change, the logic of intervention, including the risks, can be found in Annex 9 (UNDAF 2019-2023), the update of which is expected to be reflected in the initial report of the implementation stage of the evaluation.

The external evaluation The external evaluation of the UNDAF is the phase of the ERM in which its contribution to national development priorities and the SDGs is measured based on the results achieved, as well as internal and external gaps during the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a process to ensure accountability, draw lessons and inform decisions on the design of subsequent cooperation frameworks.

This evaluation is mainly aimed at primary users such as the national government, development partners, donors and other development actors and secondary users, including the general public, NGOs or academia interested in its use for different purposes, including, among others, formulation of proposals for development interventions, preparation of academic papers, mobilization of resources, etc.

Management agreements The Resident Coordinator (RC), with the support of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), has overall responsibility for commissioning the evaluation of the UNDAF and any follow-up actions, as well as ensuring that the process is conducted independently and with the involvement of all stakeholders. The responsibility for evaluating the outputs of the consultant rests with the UNCT, which is composed of the following participating agencies: 1. ECA: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa 2. FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 3. ILO: International Labour Organization 4. UNAIDS: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 5. UNDP: United Nations Development Programme 6. UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7. UNFPA: United Nations Population Fund, 8. UNICEF: United National International Children´s Emergency Fund 9. WHO: World Health Organization

The Evaluation Manager, who oversees the entire evaluation process, from its preparation to the dissemination and use of the final evaluation report. He will also accompany and supervise the Evaluation Team (the external consultants, both national and international) with the support of the Evaluation Committee to facilitate the process and establish bridges with key informants.

The Evaluation Team is responsible for carrying out the evaluation. It is a group of 3 external evaluators (one international and two national) who work with total independence. They are supervised by the Evaluation Manager and evaluated by the RC and the UNCT. The Evaluation Team Leader consultant is part of this team.

Responsibilities

Evaluation Team Leader This position will be covered by an international consultant who will lead the entire evaluation process, working closely with all team members. He/she will carry out the evaluation process in a timely manner and communicate with the Evaluation Manager on a regular basis, highlighting progress made/challenges encountered. He/she will be responsible for the following:

1. Define the design phase of the evaluation process: Conduct of mapping and outreach activities (programmatic, temporal and geographical) that lead to the refinement of the evaluation design and evaluation questions that will be reflected in the Initial Report, all through a consultative process with key stakeholders. 2. Fieldwork and data analysis: Collection and analysis of primary and secondary data, including triangulation. Organization, comparison, and synthesis of the collected data. 3. Drafting of the evaluation report: Description of the analytical process performed, any analytical framework used for the evaluation and the underlying justification of the judgments/conclusions that have been reached. 4. Review and validation of the evaluation report: Ensure that the findings of the report are evidence-based and that the conclusions are relevant to them; relevant to the country context and the achievement of the SDGs; involvement of relevant actors; exhaustive and concrete, etc. And support in the preparation of the formal evaluation management response and establishment of a follow-up mechanism.

Qualifications/special skills - Postgraduate degree in the field of social sciences (political science, international relations, economics, etc.) or related studies is required. When possible, a doctoral level is preferred. at least 10 years in conducting research, evaluation of programs and projects of territorial development, economic development and international cooperation, including data management and analysis methods, as well as team leadership is required - Solid knowledge of the country context and in-depth understanding of at least two thematic area of the UNDAF 2019-2023 axes, namely: economic development, environmental sustainability, human capital and governance is required. Knowledge of the country context or experience in a similar context will be an asset The knowledge of each expert, together with the evaluation leader, should be complementary to ensure coverage of all the axes of the UNDAF is desirable

Languages Fluency in oral and written Spanish and English is required . Knowledge of French will be an asset.

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.