Antecedentes

The United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) is a professional network that brings together the units responsible for evaluation in the UN system including the specialized agencies, funds, programmes and affiliated organisations. UNEG currently has 43 such members and three observers. UNEG aims to strengthen the objectivity, effectiveness and visibility of the evaluation function across the UN system and to advocate the importance of evaluation for learning, decision making and accountability. UNEG provides a forum for members to establish common norms and standards for evaluation; develop methodologies addressing UN concerns; strengthen evaluation functions through peer review and information exchange and establish partnerships with the wider evaluation community.

In April 2012, the UNEG Task Force on Impact Evaluation (IETF) submitted to UNEG members three guidance notes on Impact Evaluation:

  • Guidance Note 1 focused on the role of impact evaluation in the UN monitoring and evaluation systems;
  • Guidance Note 2 focused on impact evaluations of normative work;
  • Guidance Note 3, still in draft form, focused on impact evaluation of multi-agent interventions (MAI).
These guidance notes had been prepared by the IETF with the support of consultants and originated from a decision by the UNEG Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2010, to develop separate guidance notes on different aspects of impact evaluation.

The impact evaluation topics were selected based on earlier work by the IETF, in particular a concept note based on a two-year process of consultation and stock-taking of the work by UNEG members on Impact Evaluation, including an assessment of capacity development and guidance needs and expectations from UNEG members.

The 2012 AGM asked the IETF to:

  • Consolidate the existing guidance notes in one single document;
  • ‘Hand over’ the guidance note on impact evaluation of normative work to a separate task force mandated to provide overall guidance on normative work for the UN;
  • Develop a proposal for a UN impact evaluation series.

Deberes y responsabilidades

These terms of reference (TOR) have been developed for the purpose of hiring a consultant to prepare, discuss and finalize a guidance note on impact evaluation in the UN system. The guidance note will consolidate and further develop existing documents on conceptual and operational aspects of impact evaluation in the UN System and will be designed to help UNEG members and the evaluation community at large to conceptualize, design, plan and conduct impact evaluations of UN work.
The guidance note will be a stand-alone document, in the format of a user-friendly handbook, for reference and use by evaluation managers and evaluators. The Guidance Note should also be flexible to accommodate further additional sections or chapters in the future. The target audience is primarily UNEG members, although the evaluation community at large may also benefit.

In order to accomplish his/her mandate, the consultant will:

  • Take stock of the material produced by the IETF since 2009, including Guidance Notes 1, 2 and 3 and the consolidated and annotated guidance note outline produced by the IETF in October 2012;
  • Submit to the IETF suggestions for improving the guidance note outline;
  • Prepare a draft guidance note and submit it to the IETF for comments and suggestions;
  • Finalize the guidance note taking into account the IETF feedback and suggestions.

The IETF will be closely involved in the process. Consultation with IETF members will be possible by email at any time during the drafting process. Face to face meetings or teleconferences can be organized as needed. The IETF may consider setting-up a peer-review process involving non IETF members to review the draft guidance document.

The consultancy will be conducted during the period November 2012-January 2013.

The consultant will submit to the IETF co-chairs the following deliverables:

  • A proposal for improving the (guidance note) Outline within one week from the start of the contract;
  • The draft guidance material within two weeks from receiving feedback from the TF on the proposed changes to the outline;
  • The final guidance material within 1 week from receipt of the feed-back from the TF and the peer-review, if applicable.

The assignment is ‘deliverable-based’, and payment will be finalized upon approval by the IE TF co-chairs of the final version of the Guidance material and related communication to the UNEG secretariat.

Competencias

  • The consultant must have in-depth knowledge and experience on impact evaluations issues; and experience in the evaluation of normative and institutional support work within the UN.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

  • The consultant must possess a post-graduate degree in development related disciplines.
Experience:
  • At least 15 years in the area of evaluation of international development initiatives, in particular in the UN system.
  • Practical experience in the conduct of impact evaluation is required.
Language Requirements:
  • Good writing skills in English are essential.

Note:

  • The full Terms of Reference for this consultancy with the proposed outline of the guidance document annexed can be downloaded from the UNEG website at http://www.unevaluation.org/IETF_Guidance_ToR .
  • To be eligible for this consultancy, you must submit a financial proposal along with your CV.