Result of Service

Terminal Evaluation Report of the project “Mainstreaming Agrobiodiversity Conservation and Utilization in Agricultural Sector to Ensure Ecosystem Services and Reduce Vulnerability”

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The GEF-Biodiversity and Land Degradation unit is seeking to recruit a consultant (Level C) to conduct the Terminal Review of the Mainstreaming Agrobiodiversity Conservation and Utilization in Agricultural Sector to Ensure Ecosystem Services and Reduce Vulnerability Project (GEF ID 5137) project to assess the overall achievements of the project, the challenges faced and engage with project counterparts to overcome the issues. This consultancy post is located in UNEP / Ecosystems Division / GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation unit. The Review Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Task Manager (GEF TM) and will report directly to the Portfolio Manager (Johan Robinson) of the GEF Biodiversity and Land degradation Unit, Ecosystems Division in Nairobi. Specifically, the consultant will be required to complete the following tasks: Inception phase: – preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff; – prepare the review framework in line with UNEP’s evaluation guidelines; – identify stakeholders; – develop the interview/questions matrix; – plan the review schedule; – prepare the Inception Reports; Data collection and analysis phase of the Main Review, including: • conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners and project stakeholders. • regularly report back to the Task Manager on progress and inform of any possible problems or issues encountered and; Reporting phase, including: • draft the Main Review Reports, ensuring that the review report is complete, coherent and consistent with the task Manager guidelines both in substance and style; • liaise with the Task Manager on comments received (including from the UNEP Evaluation Office) and finalize the Review Reports, ensuring that comments are taken into account until approved by the Task Manager • prepare a Response to Comments annex for the main report, listing those comments not accepted and indicating the reason for the rejection; and Managing relations, including: • maintain a positive relationship with stakeholders, ensuring that the review process is as participatory as possible but at the same time maintains its independence. • communicate in a timely manner with the Task Manager on any issues requiring its attention and intervention. The consultant will prepare the following documents for both projects, in consultation and collaboration with the Project team and in line with the detailed Terms of Reference for the Review and the guidance package provided by the UNEP Evaluation Office: 1. Review Inception Report: containing an assessment of the project, project stakeholder analysis, review framework and a tentative review schedule. 2. 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, and act to ensure all information sources have been accessed and provide an opportunity to verify emerging findings. 3. Draft and Main Final Review Report: containing an executive summary that can act as a stand-alone document; detailed analysis of the review findings organized by review criteria and supported with evidence; lessons learned and recommendations and an annotated rating table.

Qualifications/special skills

– An advanced University degree in environmental sciences, international development or other relevant political or social sciences area is required. A University degree in the same areas is acceptable with two additional years of relevant experience. – A minimum of 7 years of technical / evaluation experience is required, preferably of GEF projects, including evaluating large, regional, or global programmes and using a Theory of Change approach is required. – A good/broad understanding of biodiversity and land management issues as well as experience in broad understanding of Agrobiodiversity Conservation and Utilization in Agricultural Sector) is desirable.

Languages

– Fluency in oral and written 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.