UN WOMEN Jobs - 17118- Consultant: Evaluation Task Manager (Violence agai

Consultant: Evaluation Task Manager (Violence against Women)

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

16-Jun-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Violence against women (VAW) is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, and it cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography. VAW takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, the workplace, in farm fields, refugee camps, during conflicts and crises and at times of what is known to others as "peace". It has many manifestations that range from different forms of domestic and sexual violence to harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), abuse during pregnancy, so-called honor killings and other types of femicide. Many countries embrace deeply rooted cultural and religious practices and beliefs that promote stifling attitudes and perceptions towards women's roles in society. The prevailing taboo that imposes silence around rape and sexual offences results in severe underreporting of instances of abuse and violence.

The purpose of this vacancy announcement is to recruit an independent consultant to undertake the task management of the external thematic evaluation of UNIFEM's initiatives on VAW in the East and Horn of Africa (EARO) region.

Duties and Responsibilities

The thematic evaluation will focus on generating analytical information to increase the knowledge and understanding of UNIFEM's work on ending VAW in the sub-region. It will be a formative evaluation that should provide strategic recommendations for strengthening UNIFEM's programmatic approach in the sub-region in supporting initiatives to end VAW. The evaluation will focus on the following aspects: (1) to assess the overall strategy and effectiveness of initiatives since 2005 to end VAW in the sub-region, (2) to identify strengths, weaknesses and challenges in the implementation of the initiatives and (3) based on such analysis, provide elements for a sub-regional strategy on VAW including managerial, administrative, programmatic and funding implications.

The evaluation will follow the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards (see http://www.unevaluation.org/normsandstandards/ ), and the principles outlined in the UNIFEM Evaluation Policy. This implies inter alia that the evaluation must be guided by the principles and goals of women's empowerment and gender equality and the goal of realizing progress on women's human rights as enshrined in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The Evaluation Task Manager, under the overall supervision of the Regional Program Director and in close cooperation with the Reference Group will assume the day-to-day responsibility for coordinating and managing the evaluation, and serve as the central person to contact and coordinate all stakeholders involved in the evaluation process. The tasks will include:

Preparation of the evaluation:

Support the establishment and coordination of an Advisory Group involving technical experts on VAW from UNIFEM at country, sub-regional and HQ level (see UNIFEM Guidance: Management Structures and Reference Groups for Evaluations).
With input from the Reference Group and the Advisory Group, gather input for and develop the TOR for the evaluation
Facilitate a fully consultative process with members of both groups throughout the evaluation
Prepare an evaluation budget with estimated costs for the evaluation including breakdown of budget for fees, travel, communication etc.
Manage and ensure a transparent, competitive and fair selection process of the Evaluation Team

Manage the conduct of the evaluation:

Ensure that the Evaluation Team understands the TOR, Norms, Standards and EthicsLiaise with the Evaluation Team, and ensure timely delivery of documentation and information requested; organize meetings and interviews requested by the Evaluation Team with internal and external parties; and facilitate information flow between evaluation stakeholder
Monitor the evaluation work-plan and ensure its timely completion, including time-line and deliverables of the Evaluation Team
With support from UNIFEM sub-regional and country level staff, facilitate the preparation and organization of the country site visits, including communications with respective UNIFEM offices
Organize briefings and debriefings with main donors that support UNIFEM initiatives in the sub-region to end VAW
Facilitate the coordination of the Evaluation Team's meetings in the UNIFEM sub-regional office in Nairobi, including the convening of briefings by the Evaluation Team to present preliminary and final findings and recommendations
Review and technically assess the Evaluation Team's inception report, draft and final evaluation products, including following up with the Evaluation Team to ensure that products reflect all requirements for a high quality evaluation
Circulate the Evaluation Team's products for review and compile comments and feedback from internal and external stakeholders
The Evaluation Manager may be requested by the Reference Group to participate in the country missions accompanying the Evaluation Team.

Support the use of evaluations findings:

Support the UNIFEM Reference Group in developing a strategy for the dissemination and utilization of evaluation results
Other tasks related to the evaluation, upon request by the Reference Group (see UNIFEM Guidance: Overview of UNIFEM Evaluation Process).

Competencies

Experience in evaluation of large programmes involving multi-countries and multiple stakeholders;
Proven experience as evaluation manager with ability to lead and work with other evaluation experts;
Demonstrating strong analytical ability and communication skills; strong ability as team work facilitator;
Ability to work with the organization commissioning the evaluation, the Evaluation Team and with other evaluation stakeholders to ensure that a high quality product is delivered on a timely basis;
Experience and background on human rights based approach to programming and gender equality;
Experience working with the UN and with multi-stakeholders: governments, NGOs, the UN/ multilateral/bilateral institutions and donor entities.
Familiarity with UNEG standards and norms for evaluations;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum bachelor's degree related to a social science, preferably including gender studies, evaluation or social research.

Experience:

At least 5 to 7 years of working experience in evaluation and/or social research.

Languages:

Fluent in English and working knowledge of at least another UN language.

Applications should be submitted on line and must include the UNIFEM Personal History Form (P11) posted at http://www.unifem.org/attachments/about/employment/UNIFEM_personal_history_form_P11.doc