Result of ServiceThe consultant will submit a concise mid-term evaluation report. Work LocationHome based Expected duration2.5 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground and Organizational Settings The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. UNEP is the custodian for 25 SDG indicators which cover topics related to water, ocean, land, natural resources, protected areas, and environmental policy. UNEP’s Office of Science is responsible for delivering authoritative, integrated and coherent science to inform policy and addressing the interconnected environmental challenges with emphasis on evidence-based solutions and impact. Through this, the Office of Science works to strengthen UNEP’s scientific capacity, capability and science policy interfaces by expanding and improving processes for the generation, synthesis, and application of robust, interdisciplinary evidence to drive effective action for environmental sustainability. The consultant will report to the Programme Management Officer responsible for the project Environment Under Review Sub-programme (SP-7) that aims at empowering stakeholders in their decision making with quality data and assessments made available on open platforms, in the Data Analytics, Statistics and Intelligence Section. The consultant will undertake tasks and outputs listed in section 4 of this document as part of a Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) for the project “Capacity development for an inclusive science-policy interface using environmental information and knowledge systems at regional and country levels”, funded by the European Commission. This MTE will provide an assessment of project performance at the Project’s mid-point and will be a formative exercise, covering whether the Project is on track, what problems and challenges the Project is encountering, and what corrective actions are required so that the Project can achieve its intended outcomes by Project completion in the most efficient and sustainable way. 1.1 Explain the requirement for a consultant The management of the project has recently shifted from the Climate Services and Capacity Building Unit to the SDG and Environment Statistics unit as part of the exercise on Uplifting Science. Given that the implementation of the project is at midpoint, approval from the European Commission (main donor) was provided to recruit a mid-term evaluation consultant to assess the work done so far and take necessary actions to complete the project according to the approved project document and in a timely manner. This project aims to enhance the institutional and technical capacities of countries and UNCTs in environmental information management for the generation and strategic use in assessments, decision-making, and policy action to address climate change, pollution and the nature crises. The consultant is expected to follow a collaborative and participatory approach ensuring close engagement with project relevant parties. Additionally, the consultant is expected to arrange, participate in, and independently conduct meetings with project beneficiary countries, to be determined in consultation with the project management. The MTE will have an independent and rigorous evaluation function and assess the project along with UNEP Evaluation Policy and the UNEP Programme Manual and develop a report of findings and lessons learned and provide recommendations. The evaluation should be rigorous, allowing for verification and triangulation of findings. It will seek, to the extent possible, to be inclusive and participatory, involving principal stakeholders and beneficiaries in the analysis. As per the policy, a mixed methods approach is recommended, which at a minimum will include: 1. Desk review of relevant documents including baseline studies, progress reports and any records of surveys conducted during the project, stakeholder maps, etc. 2. Qualitative methods such as implementing and stakeholders interviews and other discussions deemed necessary to explore and explain observed changes. The type of methods used may vary depending on the cultural constraints or opportunities presented by the project’s context. 3. Quantitative methods such as survey or secondary data analysis to assess and validate reported results. Other data collection should be undertaken as needed to validate evidence of results and assessments (including but not limited to assessment of the Theory of Change [TOC], activities delivery and results/changes occurred). Specific Tasks and responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the project manager, the consultant has the responsibility to conduct the following activities: 1. Inception phase of the evaluation: - Preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff; - Prepare the evaluation framework using the UNEP Programme Manual; - Develop the desk review and interview protocols; - Draft the survey protocols (if relevant); - Plan the evaluation schedule; - Prepare the Inception report, attending to feedback/comments received 2. Data collection and analysis phase of the Evaluation, including: - Assess the activities of the project based on the project activities - Conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners and project stakeholders; - Identify, liaise and interview project partners and stakeholders. Ensure independence of the Evaluation and confidentiality of evaluation interviews. - Regularly report back to the project manager on progress and inform of any possible problems or issues encountered and; - Keep the Project Manager informed of the evaluation progress. 3. Reporting phase, including: - Draft the Mid-term Evaluation Report, ensuring that the evaluation report is complete, coherent and consistent with guidelines provided by the project manager, both in substance and style; - Liaise with the project manager on comments received and finalize the Mid-term Evaluation Report, ensuring that comments are taken into account until approved by the project manager; - Prepare a Response to Comments annex for the mid-term report, listing those comments not accepted by the Evaluation Consultant and indicating the reason for the rejection; and 4. Managing relations, including: - Maintain a positive relationship with evaluation stakeholders, ensuring that the evaluation process is as participatory as possible but at the same time maintains its independence; - Communicate in a timely manner with the Evaluation Manager on any issues requiring its attention and intervention. Qualifications/special skills• An M.Sc. degree in environmental sciences, natural resources management or a similar related field is required. • A minimum of five years of professional experience in project review, planning, monitoring and evaluation is required. • Proven expertise and experience in evaluating the impact of projects/programmes is required. • Experience in evaluating projects/programmes in the UN system and in a government/intergovernmental setting is desirable. • Proven expertise and experience in assessing projects/programmes related to sustainable development goals is desirable. Languages• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN Language is desirable. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.