Programme - level evaluation
Deliver independent, evidence-based assessments of project proposals for SPECA MPTF.
Overview
Deliver independent, evidence-based assessments of project proposals for SPECA MPTF.
You have:
- Advanced Degree in Project management, international development, economics, transport and trade, environmental science, energy, urban planning, regional studies, public policy, law, or a related discipline.
- 10 years of relevant experience is required.
- Demonstrated expertise in evaluating development projects funded by the UN system, multilateral development banks, or similar organizations.
- Strong knowledge of results-based management, Theory of Change, and SMART indicators.
- Experience in regional or multi-country programmes, gender mainstreaming, LNOB principles, and environmental and climate safeguards.
- Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to assess and reconcile information from multiple sources.
- Fluency in English is required.
Contract
This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.
Result of Service
The consultant will deliver independent, high-quality, and evidence-based assessments of all eligible project proposals, producing well‑justified scores and recommendations that support the SPECA MPTF Steering Committee in making informed, transparent, and objective funding decisions, while contributing to the consistency and credibility of the overall proposal assessment process.
Work Location
Geneva
Expected duration
30 days
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the SPECA MPTF Support Team, the selected expert will conduct an independent assessment of eligible project proposals submitted under the 2026 First Call for Proposals. The assessment will be carried out in accordance with the SPECA MPTF Terms of Reference, Funding Strategy, 2026 Call for Proposals, Project Document Template with guidelines and the Assessment and Scoring Sheet, which contains ten scored sections totaling 100 points. Based on the assessment, the expert will prepare and submit an Assessment Report using the Project Proposals Assessment Template, providing detailed scores, justifications, and recommendations for each proposal reviewed. The assessment shall be objective, evidence-based, and consistent with the SPECA MPTF Funding Strategy, the Terms of Reference of the Fund, and the criteria and thresholds set out in the Call for Proposals. The findings will directly inform the Steering Committee’s decision on which projects to approve, conditionally approve, or reject. The individual expert assessment process is conducted independently and in parallel with an AI-assisted assessment track. Expert will not have access to the AI-generated assessments at any stage of their individual review. This separation is intentional and designed to preserve the independence and integrity of the human expert assessments. The expert will support the SPECA MPTF Support Team in the drafting of the Consolidated Assessment Report. The consultant will undertake the following tasks: Independently assess all eligible project proposals under the SPECA MPTF 2026 Call for Proposals. Apply the SPECA MPTF assessment and scoring framework to evaluate proposals against all criteria with objective, evidence-based judgment. Prepare individual assessment reports for each assessed project proposal using relevant SPECA MPTF Templates, provide specific, evidence-based and clear justification for the score awarded and where appropriate provide concrete, actionable recommendations for improvement. Contribute to the Consolidated Assessment Report by comparing human and AI assessments and reconciling differences. Support final scoring and recommendations, ensuring human judgment prevails where AI outputs are inadequate. Identify key strengths, weaknesses, and any disqualifying issues in proposals. Define clear, actionable conditions for proposals recommended for conditional approval. Present findings to the Steering Committee and respond to technical queries. Maintain confidentiality, impartiality, and compliance with conflict-of-interest requirements. Deliver all outputs on time and in required formats (English/Russian, Word/Excel).
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced Degree in Project management, international development, economics, transport and trade, environmental science, energy, urban planning, regional studies, public policy, law, or a related discipline. 10 years of relevant experience is required. Demonstrated expertise in evaluating development projects funded by the UN system, multilateral development banks, or similar organizations. Strong knowledge of results-based management, Theory of Change, and SMART indicators. Experience in regional or multi-country programmes, gender mainstreaming, LNOB principles, and environmental and climate safeguards. Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to assess and reconcile information from multiple sources.
Languages
Fluency in English is required.
Additional Information
Not available.
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.
Potential interview questions
| Can you explain your experience in evaluating development projects? | This question assesses the candidate's relevant experience in project evaluation, specifically in development contexts. | Provide specific examples of past projects you have evaluated and the outcomes. |
| Describe your understanding of results-based management. | The interviewer wants to gauge your familiarity with results-based management concepts. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you approach analyzing project proposals? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What is your experience working with the UN or similar organizations? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you provide an example of how you've reconciled differing viewpoints in a project assessment? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to ensure impartiality in your assessments? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How familiar are you with gender mainstreaming and LNOB principles? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What tools or templates do you find most useful for preparing assessment reports? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |