Evaluation Consultant (CAR)

Introduction

The Inspection and Evaluation Division (IED) of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is undertaking a thematic outcome evaluation of the contribution of strategic communications to fostering public trust in peacekeeping operations.

The evaluation will assess the contribution of Strategic Communications and Public Information (SCPI) programmes within six peacekeeping missions, namely, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), United Nations Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). Three of the missions, MINUSCA, UNIFIL and UNMISS have been selected as case studies. The consultant will support with data collection and analysis in one country, in this case, the Central African Republic (CAR).

This consultancy engagement will entail a total of 15 working days, spread over the period from 1 September through 30 November 2023

Responsibilities

The Consultant will be responsible for qualitative data collection in CAR prefectures (number and locations yet to be determined). Specifically, the duties of the consultancy will include:

1. Review key informant interview and group interview protocols, adapting to local contexts and languages.
2. Support the development of data collection plans, including the creation of schedules, the organization of travel arrangements, meeting details and stakeholder contact information. The data collection plan should include demographic information on radio audiences/callers, women, persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons. This will include including organising logistics and liaising with respondents (radio listeners/callers, community leaders, MINUSCA sector headquarters staff and local authorities for introductions). The stakeholders will be drawn from the stakeholder’s list provided in Annex 1: Stakeholder List.
3. Lead data collection through key informant interviews and group interviews, following briefings with the evaluation team.
4. Maintain a research log detailing the dates and locations of interviews, names of participants and their gender (See Annex 2: Research Log).
5. Produce transcripts of key informant and group interviews.
6. Provide a 3-5-page preliminary analysis report of findings, mapped by evaluation question and indicator, from data collection in each state and debrief the evaluation team.
7. Contribute to a virtual or in-person sensemaking workshop1 in Entebbe, following data collection.
8. Liaise with the OIOS-IED and MINUSCA focal points at regular intervals to complete the above tasks.

Qualifications

Qualifications sought (required educational background, years of relevant work experience, other special skills or knowledge) include:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political or social sciences, evaluation, project management or related field is required. A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a similar field in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 5 (five) years professional technical experience in the field of evaluation, data collection or related field, including a track record of conducting various types of evaluation, preferably with experience in conducting evaluations for the United Nations.
• Knowledge of qualitative data collection is required.
• Subject matter expertise and/or experience in evaluating interventions related to peace, security, communications and/or trust is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience of the UN System and in particular of peacekeeping is desirable.
• Experience in human rights-based approaches, gender sensitive evaluation methodologies and analysis, and an understanding of human rights, disability inclusion and ethical issues in relation to evaluation is desirable.
• Experience in presenting and communicating complex evaluation or research results in a structured manner (in reports, briefs, presentations, etc.) is required.
• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English and French is required, as well as Sango.

Travel

In preparation for the data collection, communications with OIOS-IED and evaluands will be conducted remotely via MS Teams or Zoom. Preparatory engagements may also include a daylong meeting in Entebbe in September 2023. Travel in and around CAR, including Bangui and prefectures, will occur between September and October 2023. Travel expenses (flight, DSA and terminal expenses) will be covered by OIOS as per the prevailing organisational rules for Consultants. Stakeholder and beneficiary interviews will be scheduled by the Consultant directly, with the support of OIOS-IED.

How to apply

Interested candidates must submit their expressions of interest to Jillian Baker at jillian.baker@un.org with a copy to swizen.rubbani@un.org, with an up-to-date CV and one-page cover letter that highlights how their background and past experience are of direct relevance to the evaluation topic and role. The deadline to submit expressions of interest is by close of business on 31 August 2023.