Terminal Evaluation Consultant

Result of Service A Final Review Report: A report will encompass an Executive Summary suitable for use as a stand-alone document, a comprehensive analysis of review findings organized by review criteria and substantiated with supporting evidence, lessons learned, recommendations, and an annotated ratings table.

Work Location Remote (Home-based)

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities A. Background

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 overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

As part of the Industry and Economy Division, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) works with developing countries to implement sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, with focus on holistic waste management. UNEP-IETC provide technical and advisory support to national and local governments to enhance their use of environmentally sound strategies and approaches. UNEP-IETC also implement in-country demonstration projects using innovative waste prevention and management methods and technologies to improve human well-being, reduce the impact of climate change, increase resilience and create jobs. Working with a wide range of partners and in line with relevant multilateral environmental agreements, UNEP-IETC mission is to serve as a global centre of excellence on environmentally sound technologies with focus on holistic waste management.

The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive terminal evaluation of the UNEP project titled "Promotion and Delivery of Environmentally Sound Waste Management Technologies and Methods and in-Country Technical and Advisory Support" (Project ID: 521.1). The Terminal Review will be an in-depth assessment, utilizing a participatory approach that ensures key stakeholders are informed and consulted throughout the evaluation process. A combination of quantitative and qualitative review methods will be employed, as appropriate, to gauge the project's performance concerning expected outputs, outcomes, and impacts.

This evaluation serves several pivotal purposes: 1) Assessment of Project Performance: The core objective is to evaluate the project's performance, including its relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency. This encompasses a comprehensive examination of all project activities, outputs, outcomes, and long-term impacts. 2) Accountability and Reporting: The terminal evaluation aligns with UNEP's Evaluation Policy and the UNEP Programme Manual, fulfilling the organization's accountability requirements. It provides an official record of the project's achievements and challenges. 3) Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Beyond accountability, this evaluation presents a valuable learning opportunity. It enables UNEP and project partners to extract insights from project experiences, identify lessons learned, and promote a culture of continuous improvement for future projects. 4) Strategic Questions: The evaluation delves into strategic questions aimed at understanding the project's contributions to waste management practices, its engagement with stakeholders, and the adoption of environmentally sound waste management approaches.

The engagement of a consultant is imperative to conduct this comprehensive terminal evaluation of the UNEP project titled "Promotion and Delivery of Environmentally Sound Waste Management Technologies and Methods and in-Country Technical and Advisory Support" (Project ID: 521.1). This requirement is in alignment with the work programme delineated in box 1(a) of P.104/A.

B. Duties

Objectives: 1) To provide evidence of results to meet accountability requirements. 2) To promote operational improvement, learning, and knowledge sharing among UNEP and main project partners. 3) To comprehensively assess project outputs and outcomes. 4) To evaluate the project's performance.

Output expectations: A terminal review report of the UNEP project 521.1 Promotion and Delivery of Environmentally Sound Waste Management Technologies and Methods and in-Country Technical and Advisory Support.

Performance indicators: Timely submission of a final report that meets all specified criteria, including content quality, completeness, adherence to guidelines, and alignment with the project's objectives and scope. The report should be free from major errors or omissions and should effectively communicate the evaluation findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the satisfaction of UNEP.

C. Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

The consultant's tasks include: 1) Information collection, organization, and analysis through desk review, interviews, survey in Sri Lanka, field visit in Mongolia, and other data collection tools, leading to the production of an inception report (its ToR will be provided). 2) Development of an initial terminal review report (its ToR will be provided), incorporating internal review and consultation processes. 3) Finalization of the terminal review report.

UNEP will provide templates and tools to support the review process with a list of review criteria and sub-categories to be addressed.

The Review Consultant will prepare: - Inception Report: ontaining an assessment of project design quality, a draft reconstructed Theory of Change of the project, project stakeholder analysis, review framework and a tentative review schedule. - Preliminary Findings Note: Typically in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, the sharing of preliminary findings is intended to support the participation of the project team, act as a means to ensure all information sources have been accessed and provide an opportunity to verify emerging findings. - Draft and Final Review Report: Containing an Executive Summary that can act as a stand-alone document; detailed analysis of the review findings organised by review criteria and supported with evidence; lessons learned and recommendations and an annotated ratings table. - A Review Brief (a 2-page overview of the evaluand and review findings) for wider dissemination through the UNEP website may be required. This will be discussed with the UNEP Project Manager no later than during the finalization of the Inception Report. - Review of the Draft Review Report. The Review Consultant will submit a draft report to the UNEP Project Manager and revise the draft in response to their comments and suggestions. The UNEP Project Manager will then forward the revised draft report to other project stakeholders, for their review and comments. Stakeholders may provide feedback on any errors of fact and may highlight the significance of such errors in any conclusions as well as providing feedback on the proposed recommendations and lessons. Any comments or responses to draft reports will be sent to the UNEP Project Manager for consolidation. The UNEP Project Manager will provide all comments to the Review Consultant for consideration in preparing the final report, along with guidance on areas of contradiction or issues requiring an institutional response.

The UNEP Evaluation Office provides templates and tools to support the review process and provides a formal assessment of the quality of the final Terminal Review report, which is provided within this report’s annexed material. In addition, the Evaluation Office formally validates the report by ensuring that the performance judgments made are consistent with evidence presented in the Review report and in-line with the performance standards set out for independent evaluations. As such the project performance ratings presented in the Review report may be adjusted by the Evaluation Office.

At the end of the review process, the UNEP Project Manager will prepare a Recommendations Implementation Plan in the format of a table, to be completed and updated at regular intervals, and circulate the Lessons Learned.

Several factors emphasize the need for a consultant in this context: - Complex Evaluation Scope: The terminal evaluation of Project 521.1 encompasses a wide range of activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Assessing the project's performance, relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency requires specialized expertise in waste management, environmental sustainability, and evaluation methodologies. Engaging a consultant with a deep understanding of these domains is crucial to ensure a rigorous and thorough assessment. - Objective and Impartial Assessment: To maintain objectivity and impartiality, it is vital to involve an external consultant with no prior involvement in the project's implementation. This ensures that the evaluation findings are unbiased and credible, enhancing accountability and transparency. - Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: The evaluation process necessitates active engagement with a diverse set of stakeholders, including project beneficiaries, collaborating partners, UNEP project teams, and relevant government bodies. An experienced consultant with strong facilitation and communication skills is needed to manage these interactions effectively. - Specialized Knowledge and Methodologies: The project's complex nature demands a consultant with specialized knowledge in waste management, environmental impact assessment, and sustainable development. Additionally, the consultant must be proficient in using both qualitative and quantitative research methods to evaluate project achievements and impacts accurately. - Experience in Knowledge Transfer: The project's emphasis on knowledge support, technical advisory services, and awareness raising requires a consultant experienced in knowledge transfer and capacity building. This expertise is vital to assess the project's contribution to building local capacity and fostering sustainable waste management practices.

The engagement of a consultant or individual contractor is indispensable to conduct a rigorous terminal evaluation that meets the specified work programme requirements (P.104/A). The complexity of the project, the need for impartiality, multi-stakeholder engagement, specialized knowledge, and experience in knowledge transfer collectively underscore the necessity for an external consultant in this evaluation process.

Qualifications/special skills A Master's degree or equivalent in environmental sciences, international development, or another relevant field in political or social sciences is required. A minimum of 7 years of technical/evaluation experience is required, preferably including the evaluation of large-scale regional or global programs using a Theory of Change approach. A good/broad understanding of environmental issues, particularly in waste management and pollution, is desired.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in both oral and written English is a requirement.

Additional Information The consultancy is expected to span a period of 3 working months of actual work time over a 6-month period, commencing as early as possible.

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.