Consultant, Cluster Evaluation, UNITAR Training of Trainer-related Programming - Planning, Performance and Results Section - UNITAR - Home Based

Vacancy Announcement – Consultant, Cluster Evaluation, UNITAR Training of Trainer-related Programming

Organizational Unit: Planning, Performance and Results Section

Duration of contract: 8 weeks between July and Nov. 2016

Deadline for applications: 10 June 2016

Duty Station: Home based with travel

Remuneration: TBD

Area of Specialization/Thematic Areas

Evaluation, learning and capacity development

Background

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a principal training arm of the United Nations, with the aim to increase the effectiveness of the United Nations in achieving its major objectives through training and research. Learning outcomes are associated with about two-thirds of the Institute’s 450-some events organized annually, with a cumulative outreach to over 40,000 individuals (including 25,000 learners). Approximately three-quarters of beneficiaries from learning-related programming are from developing countries. UNITAR training covers a number of thematic areas, including activities to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; multilateral diplomacy; public finance and trade; environment, including climate change, environmental law and governance, and chemicals and waste management; peacekeeping, peacebuilding and conflict prevention; decentralized cooperation; and resilience and disaster risk reduction.

Over time, the Institute’s focus on learning has evolved from not only aiming to expand its outreach to beneficiaries and address the needs of individual learners, to also working to increase the efficiency of its training by enhancing the capacities of learning centres in developing countries with innovative methodologies to design and deliver training through face-to-face and/or e-Learning approaches. To achieve this objective, UNITAR has developed or strengthened existing cooperation with a number of learning centres in developing countries through training-of-trainer (ToT) or related initiatives.

For the purpose of this evaluation, UNITAR has identified a cluster of five projects in which institutional capacity development through ToT has played an important role. These projects include:

Partnership between UNITAR and Algeria on the Establishment of an International Training Centre for Local Actors of the Maghreb (2011 – 2015);

Training of Algerian Diplomat-trainees and Senior Officials (2012 – 2014);

Enhancing the Capacity of African Peacekeeping Training Institutions (2012 – 2015);

Developing e-Learning Capacities of the Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (2015 – 2016);

Training and follow-up on entrepreneurship for young graduates from Algeria (2012 – 2016).

General Objectives of the Contract

The purpose of the evaluation is to provide evidence that the Institute’s approach to developing the capacities of learning centres in developing countries is producing the intended results and creating efficiency gains in the delivery of UNITAR training. The evaluation should not only assess the performance of the projects, but it should also seek to answer the ‘why’ question by identifying factors contributing to (or inhibiting) the successful implementation and achievement of results. The purpose of the evaluation is also to provide recommendations and lessons-learned on the strengthening of institutional capacities of learning centres, including identifying what methods or approaches work well and why, since ToT will likely continue to play an important role in the Institute’s strategy to respond to learning and capacity development needs at the country level. In this sense, the results from this evaluation will contribute to guiding the development of similar ToT/institutional capacity strengthening projects in the future. Following the finalization of the evaluation report, the use of the evaluation will be promoted by sharing it internally within UNITAR, and externally with donors and other project partners.

Responsibilities/Description of Professional Services

The consultant shall:
Undertake an independent cluster evaluation of UNITAR ToT related programming and address questions related to project relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability;

Undertake a desk review and submit an evaluation plan with final evaluation questions and data collection methods to be used;

Collect and analyse data, and undertake field visits to two to three countries selected in consultation with UNITAR; and

Draft, submit and revise reports of the evaluation.

Measurable outputs/Deliverables/Schedule of Deliverables

Evaluation matrix/design

Zero draft evaluation report

Draft evaluation report

Final evaluation report

Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results

All deliverables submitted within the established timeframe

Evaluation report containing clarity in findings, with supported conclusions, recommendations and lessons learned

Required skills

Master of Arts degree or equivalent in social science or related discipline;

At least 7 years of professional experience conducting evaluation in the field of capacity building for international development. Experience undertaking evaluations related to training, learning methodologies and/or training of trainer approaches would be a strong asset;

Field work experience in developing countries;

Excellent research and analytical skills, including experience using a variety of evaluation methods and approaches;

Excellent report writing skills;

Strong communication and presentation skills;

Cross-cultural awareness and flexibility;

Availability to travel;

Fluency in English and French required. Knowledge of Arabic and/or Portuguese a strong advantage.

Reporting structure

The consultant will report directly to the Manager of the Planning, Performance and Results Section.

Remarks

This vacancy announcement is without prejudice to the complete terms of reference. For the complete terms of reference, click here .

General conditions of contracts for the service of consultants shall apply.

How to apply

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

Expressions of interest should include a letter of motivation and P11 form / Curriculum Vitae and be sent to: evaluation@unitar.org with the following subject line: “ToT Cluster Evaluation”.