About UNEP
As the principal voice of the UN on environmental matters, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) leads the UN Environment Assembly, integrates environmental concerns across the UN system, and acts as the leading global authority on environmental issues.
Climate Assessment Specialist
- Job Type: Part-Time
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND, Diploma
- Experience: 2 years
- Location: Nairobi
- Job Field: Climate Assessment
The Evaluation Team
The evaluation team will comprise two external consultants—a Principal Evaluator and an Evaluation Specialist—supported by a UNEP Evaluation Manager. The team will be responsible for conducting research, compiling findings, and drafting the final evaluation report in close coordination with the Evaluation Manager.
Key Responsibilities of the Evaluation Specialist
The Evaluation Specialist will conduct a systematic review of existing project evaluations within the subprogramme and contribute to the overall preparation of the evaluation report. The team will collectively ensure that all evaluation criteria and questions are thoroughly addressed.
Phase 1: Inception Stage
- Conduct an initial desk review and hold introductory meetings with project personnel.
- Identify and define the causal pathways in the subprogramme’s Theory of Change.
- Develop the evaluation framework, desk review protocol, and interview guidelines.
- Draft and refine survey protocols (if applicable).
- Establish criteria for selecting Nature Action initiatives for in-depth study.
- Plan the evaluation schedule and draft the Inception Report, incorporating feedback until approval is granted by the Evaluation Manager.
Phase 2: Data Collection & Analysis
- Conduct further desk reviews and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including implementing and executing agencies, project partners, and other relevant actors.
- Provide regular updates to the Evaluation Manager regarding progress, challenges, and emerging findings.
- Engage with the Global Subprogramme Coordination on Nature Action to discuss preliminary insights throughout the evaluation process.
Phase 3: Reporting & Finalization
- Draft the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring coherence, completeness, and adherence to UNEP Evaluation Manager guidelines.
- Work closely with the Evaluation Manager to incorporate feedback and finalize the report.
- Prepare a Response to Comments Annex, addressing any feedback not incorporated, with justifications for exclusions.
The Evaluation Specialist must not have been involved in the design or execution of the Subprogramme during the review period (2014–2024) and must maintain independence from all participating institutions. The consultant will be required to sign the Evaluation Consultant Code of Conduct Agreement Form. The specialist will be recruited under an individual Special Service Agreement (SSA) consultancy contract, with detailed terms provided separately.
Qualifications & Required Skills
- A bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, international development, political science, social sciences, or a related field is required.
- A master’s degree in these areas is preferred.
Experience
- At least 10 years of experience in technical assessments and evaluations, with a preference for large-scale, regional, or global program evaluations using the Theory of Change approach.
- In-depth knowledge of ecosystem management principles, including:
- Integrated ecosystem management strategies.
- Multilateral Environmental Agreements and national/regional policy frameworks.
- UN policy frameworks and country-level environmental initiatives.
- Familiarity with the UN system, particularly UNEP and its Strategic Programme on Nature Action (SP-NA).
- Strong background in strategic management, program and project oversight, partnership development, and knowledge management.
- Experience working with development organizations, intergovernmental processes, and UN coordination bodies is an added advantage.