About this role

Result of Service

The consultant should have successfully conducted an independent evaluation of the project, “EU4Business: Support to CEFTA for Non-Tariff Measures monitoring and reporting and support to the implementation of the CEFTA Dispute Settlement Mechanism”

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Independent Evaluation Unit of UNCTAD, the consultant will conduct an independent evaluation and produce an evaluation report that addresses the questions in the evaluation TOR, which fall under the following main criteria: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and mainstreaming of gender, environmental sustainability, disability inclusion and principle of leaving no one behind. To this end, the consultant is expected to:

Highlight what has been successful and can be replicated elsewhere
Identify specific achievements that provide additional value for money or relevant multiplier effects, as appropriate
Indicate shortcomings and constraints encountered during implementation, while identifying remaining challenges, gaps, and needs for future action
Offer pragmatic recommendations to strengthen future work, addressing beneficiaries’ needs and creating synergies through collaboration with UNCTAD divisions, international organizations, development partners, and other relevant forums;
Draw lessons of wider applicability for replication in other projects or countries
Review exit strategies, assessing how well they are tailored to the needs of member States and implementing entities
Submit a final report of the evaluation composed of the key elements identified in the evaluation TOR.

The consultant should observe UNEG guidelines, including the Norms and Standards for evaluation in the UN system, as well as UNCTAD’s Evaluation Policy, ensuring the integration of human rights, gender equality, and disability perspectives wherever feasible. The evaluation should be comprehensive, fair, objective, and unbiased. Any difficulties, uncertainties, or concerns encountered during the evaluation must be reported immediately to the Chief of IEU for guidance or clarification.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree, Master, in economics, trade, development, public administration, or related field, is required At least 7 years of experience in conducting or managing evaluations, or in programme management, preferably on interventions in the areas of trade-related technical assistance and capacity building is required. Solid understanding of the UN context and the SDG; Experience conducting public policy and/or development programme evaluations is desirable. Solid understanding of gender responsive and equity-focused evaluation design, data collection and analysis methods; Ability to develop clear, realistic, feasible recommendations is an advantage.