Lead Evaluation Consultant (International)

Result of Service

Key deliverables: 1. Inputs to the evaluation ToRs; drafting and finalization of the inception report; support in team selection 2. Notes and summaries based on the desk review, site visits, interviews and focus group discussions; analysis and presentation of preliminary results to the ERG 3. Final version of the evaluation report, incorporating DIOS and ERG comments

Work Location

Headquarter Amman

Expected duration

• The consultant is expected to work between July and December 2024;

Duties and Responsibilities

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5.7 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff, most involved in direct service delivery with Palestine refugee communities. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. BACKGROUND The Evaluation Division of the Department of Internal Oversight Services (DIOS) is conducting an evaluation of the construction and maintenance work of the Infrastructure and Camp Improvement programme (ICIP). The evaluation will focus on the design, construction and maintenance of UNRWA schools to assess the Agency’s processes and systems and to provide generalizable findings and conclusions for the programme. In doing so, it will assess the work of the ICIP at UNRWA headquarters as well as within its fields of operation. The evaluation will cover work completed from 2019 to 2023 across all fields. Activities in Syria will be assessed to gather evidence in a post-conflict context. Given the ongoing war, coverage of Gaza will be limited. However, the evaluation team will aim to capture lessons that may be applicable to future work in Gaza. The evaluation will assess key processes in place within ICIP for construction projects and maintenance work, from community participation to end user feedback. The evaluation will cover aspects related to coordination between fields and headquarters, planning and project management, and procurement. It will include an assessment of the quality of UNRWA guidelines and standards for technical design, cost effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. The evaluation will also cover how the design, construction and maintenance of these schools contributes to the Agency’s strategic objectives, in particular, on providing inclusive and equitable quality basic education to Palestine refugees. As the evaluation team lead, the Consultant will provide technical leadership to the evaluation and manage the work of the team members. The consultant will provide inputs to finalize the evaluation terms of reference, draft the inception report of the evaluation, lead the data collection, and drafting of the report. The consultant will also support the selection of two to three evaluation team members and will be responsible for managing and quality assuring their deliverables. The consultant is expected to contribute approximately 75 days to the evaluation between July and December 2024, with data collection activities between September and November 2024. The evaluation report is to be finalized by December 2024. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the overall guidance of the UNRWA Evaluation Division, the consultant will lead the evaluation processes, including the development of the evaluation methodology, data collection and drafting of the report. Other duties may be assigned by the Chief of the Evaluation Division, as needed. Specific activities for each evaluation phase include: • Planning phase: o Provide inputs in finalizing the evaluation terms of reference. o Lead the drafting of the inception report, including the data collection tools. o Participate in the selection of evaluation team members, as necessary. • Implementation phase: o Provide overall guidance and technical support to the evaluation team. o Participate in meetings to discuss the evaluation approach, as needed. o Lead the data collection and analysis (including missions to UNRWA fields of operation, review of relevant documents, site visits, virtual and in-person interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders). o Lead the analysis and discussion of findings within the evaluation team to reach preliminary conclusions and recommendations. o Coordinate the participation and contributions of the team members in all deliverables as required. Supervising them during the data-collection and analysis through regular meetings and updates. Guide/comment on their main outputs (e.g. desk review notes / interview notes / inputs data-collection tools / inputs debriefing / mission reports). • Reporting phase: o Participate in meetings and workshops to discuss preliminary evaluation results, as needed. o Lead the drafting and finalization of the evaluation report.

Qualifications/special skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE • An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in development studies, architecture, construction engineering, or another field of relevance; • A minimum of 10 years of experience in the conduct of evaluations and management of construction projects; • In-depth knowledge and proven experience in designing and applying various quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies and tools. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS • Professional work experience in the MENA region; • Knowledge of construction and maintenance of schools; • Familiarity with UNRWA and its programmes; and • Understanding of the Palestinian refugee context would be advantageous. COMPETENCIES • Professional foundation and technical skills in evaluation, including quality standards, evaluation approaches, methods and data analysis, reporting findings, conclusions and recommendations; • Management skills including work planning; • Demonstrated communication and facilitation skills; • Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills in English.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

• No previous involvement in the design and implementation of the UNRWA activities related Infrastructure and Camp Improvement. • The consultant will be home based with travel to UNRWA areas of operation.

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.