The GEF created the Small Grants Programme (SGP) in 1992 with the explicit aim of developing community-led and -owned strategies and technologies for reducing threats to the global environment while addressing livelihood challenges. The SGP is a corporate GEF program implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The principal strategy of the SGP is to provide small grants—up to a maximum of $50,000—to communities to support the use of practices and technologies that benefit the global environment. Currently, 125 countries are active in the SGP.

The SGP is being evaluated jointly by the Independent Evaluation Offices of the UNDP and the GEF. The main objective of this joint evaluation is to build on the findings of, and evaluate progress made, since the 2015 joint SGP evaluation and the extent to which the SGP is achieving the objectives set out in its strategic and operational directions under GEF-6 (2014-2018) and GEF-7 (2018-2022). The evaluation will also assess the relevance and strategic positioning of the SGP within the GEF and provide recommendations on the way forward for the SGP. The approach paper of the evaluation provides further details on the evaluation design. http://web.undp.org/evaluation/papers/approach_paper_thirdSGPEvaluation.shtml

In support of this work, the UNDP IEO requires the services of eight (8) national consultants from the countries mentioned below to conduct independent evaluation case studies in support of the SGP evaluation.

• Argentina
• Afghanistan
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Burkina Faso
• Egypt
• Mexico
• Samoa

The duration of the consultancy will range from 10-20 workdays, depending on the complexity of the case study/country of assignment.

The national experts will contribute in the following way is her/his country of assignment:

• Provide advice on, and assist in the development of case study protocol.
• Conduct literature and desk reviews of related SGP documents relevant to the country of her/his assignment.
• Conduct interviews with relevant national GEF and UNDP stakeholders.
• Conduct interviews with relevant SGP Grantees (i.e., Community-Based Organization, Non-Government Organizations).
• Analyze data from the documents reviewed and interviews.
• Submit a case study report.

Functional competencies

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to quickly assess a diverse range of information with a discerning sense for the quality of data; and
• Good mastery of information technology required for an organized presentation of information.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Adhere to the principle of confidentiality and ethical code of conducts during the evaluation;
• Ability to work under pressure, multi-tasking skills; and
• Available to conduct critical analysis within the agreed timelines.

Corporate Competencies

• Familiarity with UNDP or UN work; and
• Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, acting with professionalism, diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

Education

• A Masters’ degree or higher in Natural Resource Management or Social Sciences or a relevant field.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of work experience in evaluation, M&E, and related field  (e.g., NGO work, research, and programme/project management, inclusive growth, livelihoods, poverty reduction, natural resources management, and environmentally sustainable development);
• Extensive experience in program/project evaluation and/or mastery of techniques and methods of data collection, interviews, and quantitative and qualitative analysis;
• Experience in gender-sensitive programming and/or evaluation is desirable;
• Knowledge of SGP, the GEF, and experience in conducting evaluations of UNDP country programmes in challenging environments (and remotely) will be an asset.

Other knowledge and skills

• Excellent analysis and synthesis skills;
• Familiarity with UNDP or UN operations in her/his country of assignment is desirable;
• Knowledge of the country context, past and current development issues and challenges is a must;
• Availability to travel (if allowed due to the restrictions from COVID-19 pandemic) and focus on the evaluation as required to deliver the outputs within the agreed timeframe.

Language

• Ability to work in English (oral and written) is essential.
• Ability to work in the local language of her/his country of assignment is an advantage.

Travel expectations

• Home-based, no travel required

Application Instructions

Applicants are invited to upload as one combined document the following documents to the UNDP Jobs site:

• CV in the format known as  P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of at least three (3) professional references;
• A completed Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Form that indicates your daily rate for this consultancy; and;
• A brief cover letter (250-400 words) that highlights previous relevant evaluation experience.