Consultancy – Young and Emerging Evaluator, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), Bangkok, Thailand

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfilling their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to support the EAPRO’s evaluation function to achieve objectives and targets established in the global Evaluation Policy, particularly focusing on nurturing young and emerging evaluators and involving them in evaluations. The assignment will also contribute to achieving objectives and targets established in the global Evaluation Policy, the Regional Evaluation Strategy, and associated evaluation-related workplans in the Regional Office and the Country Offices. A list of tasks include: gather and research key background documents; support the development and use of AI in the evaluation process; quality assurance of products presented by Independent Evaluation Teams; organize and manage documents in SharePoint.

Work assignment, Expected deliverable and Delivery schedule:

This work assignment is office based under overall guidance from and supervision of the Regional Adviser – Evaluation (RA-Ev), the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Assignment 1: Support the management of Evaluative Work in EAPRO

• Support the systematic plan to keep updated all repository/platforms with electronic version of evaluation-related publications, reports and data sets;

• Collect essential background documents required for scoping and execution of evaluations.

• Support the development of evaluation terms of reference, scope finalization, and ensuring stakeholder consultations.

• Undertake background research, synthesize relevant data and information at all evaluation stages for the benefit of independent evaluators.

• Review, comment on, and consolidate feedback on interim products and draft reports for delivery to the independent evaluation teams.

• Support in report editing and ensure its formatting is publication ready.

• Establish connections with NYHQ Evaluation Office and EAPRO’s units for facilitation of site visits and stakeholder interviews.

• Organize and manage documents in SharePoint: maintain and manage evaluation-related documents, ensuring they are accurately stored and easily accessible in SharePoint.

• Support the development and use of AI in the evaluation process: assist in integrating AI technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of evaluation processes.

• Contribute to the development and review of evaluation-related regional procedures and tools;

• Provide technical support for quality assurance, ensuring regional evaluation deliverables comply with UNICEF and UNEG standards.

Expected deliverable: (est 62 days)

I. Provide comments on Interim Products and Draft Reports: includes the review, comment, and consolidation of feedback on interim products and draft evaluation reports.

II. Quality Assurance and Compliance with UNICEF and UNEG Standards: review, comment on, and consolidate feedback on interim products and draft reports for delivery to the independent evaluation teams.

III. Attendance (virtual if not based in Bangkok) at follow-up meetings with the evaluation team and validation workshops.

IV. Reports and communication materials to showcase evaluation progress in EAP region.

V. Ensure all evaluation-related documents are uploaded, categorized, and stored in an organized manner on SharePoint.

VI. Conduct pilot tests of selected AI tools and technologies in specific evaluation projects, providing comments to improve the tools.

Assignment 2: Support Ongoing Evaluations in EAP Region

• To provide quality support to drafting concept notes, terms of reference, dissemination of reports, undertake research to ensure products produced are in line with HQ Evaluation Office requirements, and disseminate same knowledge within the EAP region’s evaluation function.

• Track and report on the progress of all ongoing evaluation activities and upcoming evaluation plans in the EAP region, consolidating them into a tracking tool.

• Promote the evaluation function in the region under the guidance of the RA-Ev.

• Support Evaluation Teams to ensure that evaluation findings are useful, practical and implementable; Effectively communicate significant evaluation insights to pertinent stakeholders and a broader audience.

• Oversee and address recommendations in the evaluation management responses.

• Identify and circulate best practices, innovative solutions, and knowledge concerning evaluation topics.

• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Expected deliverable: (est 62 days)

I. Regularly review the tracking tool to ensure it accurately reflects the current status of evaluations in the region – this tool is important in monitoring and managing the progress of various evaluations in the EAP region.

II. Support the dissemination of evaluation reports that are informative, well-structured, and aligned with HQ Evaluation Office guidelines. This involves follow up on the management responses and sharing evaluation findings and recommendations with relevant stakeholders in the EAP region, contributing to knowledge dissemination.

III. Draft newsletters highlighting best practices, innovations, and key insights from recent evaluations on UNICEF Evaluation social media platforms, such as Weekender.

IV. Timely and effective completion of any other tasks assigned by the supervisor. This may include ad-hoc projects, additional research, or tasks related to evaluation management within the region.

To maintain some levels of flexibility to adjust the Section work plan in response to any rapidly changing situation or shifted priority, the professional payment will be made based upon a submission of a monthly progress report in relation to and/or beyond the above-mentioned assignments.

Duration of Contract:    1 September 2024 – 28 February 2025

The contract has a possibility of extension, proven good performance and pending funding availability.
 

Duty Travel:  Travel as assigned by the Regional Evaluator Advisor.
 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• The young and emerging evaluator is under 30 years of age. Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences is required. Certificate in evaluation or equivalent qualification is an advantage.

•  Minimum 1 year working experience related to evaluation and supporting evaluation management, preferable in East Aisa and Pacific region

•  Must have been directly involved in the conduction of at least two evaluations. The experience of participating in UN/UNIEF evaluations is an asset.

•  Excellent analytical skills and ability to use various evaluation tools and methodologies to interpret complex data, identify trends, and draw logical conclusions.

•  Experience in evaluations for UN agencies preferably including UNICEF or major bilateral donor Country Programmes, and familiarity with UNEG Norms and Standards and Ethical Guidelines and UNICEF Evaluation Policy. Experience with evaluation offices of UN organizations is necessary.

•  Developing Country work experience, experience within EAP region will be preferred.

• Be committed and willing to work in a complex environment and able to produce quality work under limited guidance and supervision.

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, manage independent consultants, and engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

• Strong written and oral communication abilities to convey complex ideas in a clear, concise manner.

• Proficiency in creating impactful reports and presentations.

• Capacity to address challenges, provide solutions, and make informed decisions even under tight deadlines. 

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by 15 August 2024.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.