Result of Service

The key deliverables that the CF Evaluation Team is expected to produce are: • Inception Report, containing a preliminary analysis of the CF ToC or, in its absence, reconstruction of the CF ToC; an elaboration of the evaluation approach and methods, including the evaluation design matrix; and a detailed evaluation plan and timeline, including a tentative list of interviews to be arranged or plans for field visits. • Preliminary findings report and presentation, in a template to be agreed with the Evaluation Manager. A debrief of initial findings at the end of the data collection phase, will provide an opportunity for relevant parties to identify any misinterpretation or factual mistake at an early stage before report writing. • Draft and final CF Evaluation Report, including the annexes accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation. All deliverables will be written in English and submitted in electronic format. The PowerPoint presentation for the dissemination seminars and the final evaluation report might need to be translated in local languages if requested by national counterparts. The contract begins on 22 March 2024 and must be completed by 22 August 2024, which marks 5 months from the start date. A final report is to be submitted upon completion. Deliverables and payments for the Evaluation Team: · Submission of final Inception Report by 19 April for %30 of total payment, · Presentation of preliminary findings by 17 May 2024 for %30 of total payment, · Submission of final evaluation report by at least 22 August 2024 for the remaining %40 of total payment.

Work Location

Home based, Ankara

Expected duration

5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The framework for the evaluation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021 – 2025 (UNSDCF) of Türkiye, guided by the principles of learning and accountability. The evaluation plays a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness of the UNSDCF, ensuring it aligns with national development priorities and adheres to the mandates and guidelines established by the United Nations system. The evaluation is mandated by the UNSDCF companion guidelines, to be conducted at the penultimate year of the end of each cycle, reflecting the commitment to systematic and continuous assessment. The rationale for this evaluation stems from the need to understand the impacts of the UNSDCF on national development goals, to identify strengths and areas for improvement, and to align efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The intended audience and users of this evaluation include government partners, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders involved in or affected by the UNSDCF, providing them with valuable insights and recommendations for future strategic directions. The preliminary scope of the evaluation will focus on examining the design and implementation strategy of the UNSDCF at both national and sub-national levels, incorporating an assessment of the indicative contributions to CF outcomes by the UN resident and non-resident agencies. Furthermore, the evaluation will delve into the strategic interlinkages between the CF and several key initiatives: the Socio-Economic Response and Recovery Plan (SERP) developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Earthquake (EQ) response and recovery plan, and the humanitarian-development nexus. It will also evaluate the integration of insights from the Common Country Analysis and the effectiveness of the ABC coordination approach. This review aims to understand how these interconnected frameworks and plans collectively contribute to the overall effectiveness and adaptability of the CF in addressing both immediate and long-term development challenges. The team is expected to adhere to UNEG and UNSDCF evaluation guidelines, ensuring a gender-balanced and culturally diverse composition. Considering the large programmatic thematic covered by the CF (7 outcomes), the evaluation team (ET) will be made up of 3 independent external evaluators including a Team Leader (TL). The TL shall demonstrate extensive evaluation expertise and at least sound expertise in at least one of the programmatic areas. The other 2 team members will demonstrate multidisciplinary expertise to adequately cover the 6 other CF outcomes. The ET will actively engage in gaining an in-depth understanding of both the CF and the country context. They will assess the ToC for better alignment with the CF, select and adapt evaluation questions, and propose the most appropriate methods for data collection and analysis. In consultation with the UNCT and the Evaluation Manager, the team will select a sample of stakeholders for interviews during the field phase, ensuring a well-described methodological approach to sampling. During the field phase, the Evaluation Team will collect and triangulate data, drafting the inception, draft, and final evaluation reports, including a summary of the Performance Rating. The team will revise deliverables as needed based on comments and lead stakeholder, briefing, and debriefing workshops as needed. Job description Consultant, in her/his role as the Evaluation Team Leader, is expected to coordinate the work of other team member(s). The team leader will ensure the quality of the evaluation process, outputs, methodology and timely delivery of all products. The team leader, in close collaboration with the UNCT and the Evaluation Manager, will take the lead role in conceptualization and design of the evaluation and shaping the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the report. The tasks of the team leader include: Decides the division of labour within the evaluation team and coordinates team tasks within the framework of the ToRs. Organize a library of relevant documents Directs and conducts the research and analysis based on secondary and primary data sources. Develops an inception report and details the design, methodology (including the methods for data collection and analysis criteria for selection of interventions to be further analysed, required resources), and work plan of the evaluation team. Oversees and quality assures the preparation of the report and takes a lead in the analysis of the evaluative evidence. Oversees the administration, and analysis of the results of the data collection exercise. Drafts the evaluation report, and coordinates the inputs from team members. Prepares for meetings with stakeholders to review findings, conclusions and recommendations. Leads the validation workshop and stakeholder workshop, briefs Evaluation Consultative Group on the evaluation through informal sessions and finalizes the report based on feedback from the quality assurance process. Delivers the final evaluation report.

Qualifications/special skills

Skills and experience • Advanced university degree (Doctorate or equivalent) in evaluation or field(s) relevant to one or more CF areas of work is required. • A minimum of 10 years of evaluation experience, with a strong record in designing and leading evaluations, reviews, assessments, research studies or M&E work in the field of international development is required. • Expertise in gender equality/gender analysis, and human rights interventions. • Good understanding of the SDGs, relevant regional or global frameworks and their implications for development cooperation.

Languages

Fluency in English is required

Additional Information

Interested candidates shall upload documentations to the ‘Other information’ section of the application platform demonstrating why they are the best-suited to carry out the above task. This should include: • Latest CV and a sample of previous works • Financial Proposal (inclusive of expenses related to travels and DSA) No additional costs outside of the scope of this TOR will be covered. The consultants will have to possess their own laptop and other technical equipment to complete the assignment. The documents produced during the period of this consultancy will be treated strictly confidential and the rights of distribution and/or publication shall solely reside with the UN. For more information, please visit the Term of Reference: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NHC9cLKXQ5Lf3oOMEzC_D3EqcV1QG6cr/view?usp=drive_link

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.