Call for Evaluation Consultancies: UNFPA Maldives 7th Country Programme Evaluation (2022-2026)

Background:

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), UNFPA is working towards three transformative results: (i) zero preventable maternal deaths; (ii) zero unmet need for family planning; and (iii) zero gender-based violence and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage.

The UNFPA Maldives Country Office (CO) is currently implementing the 7th Country Programme (CP) (2022-2026) with the Government of Maldives] and other partners. The goal of the CP is to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, and accelerate the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action, to improve the lives of women, adolescents and youth. In pursuit of this goal, the UNFPA Maldives] CO seeks to achieve results in the following thematic areas of programming under the CP: (i) policy and accountability; (ii) gender and social norms; (iv) population change and (iv) adolescents and youth].

Purpose, objectives and scope:

In line with the 2024 UNFPA Evaluation Policy, the UNFPA Maldives CO is planning to conduct an evaluation of its 7th CP (2022-2026). The purpose of the Country Programme Evaluation (CPE) is to strengthen accountability to stakeholders, support evidence-based decision-making, and improve learning. The overall objective of the CPE is to provide an independent assessment of the performance of the CP and to broaden the evidence base for the design of the next programme cycle. 

The evaluation will cover all interventions in the four thematic areas of the CP, which have been implemented across Maldives during the programme’s period. The thematic areas are described in section 3 of the terms of reference. In addition, the evaluation will also cover cross-cutting issues, such as human rights, gender equality, disability and migration status], and transversal functions, such as coordination, monitoring and evaluation, innovation, resource mobilization and strategic partnerships.

Evaluation team:

The CPE will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team of consultants. They should collectively have the qualifications and experience to design and implement a methodologically robust evaluation and cover all the above-mentioned thematic areas of the CP. The evaluation team will consist of: 

• Team leader: An international consultant with primary responsibility for the design of the evaluation methodology and the coordination of the evaluation team, as described in section 12.1 of the terms of reference. The team leader will also demonstrate the qualifications, experience and skills required to serve as a technical expert for one of the thematic areas.
• Thematic experts: Gender equality and women’s empowerment expert, Population dynamics expert, Sexual reproductive health expert. National consultants who should demonstrate the qualifications, experience and skills required to serve as technical expert in at least one of the thematic areas, as described in section 12.1 of the terms of reference.

The evaluation team will conduct the CPE under the supervision of the CPE manager in the UNFPA Maldives CO March to December, as indicated in the timeframe of the evaluation in the ToR: section 10 and Annex I].

In their application, the candidates must clearly indicate the thematic area(s) for which they demonstrate the requested expertise, as well as the role (team leader or team member) that they intend to perform. Based on their qualifications, experience and skills, the candidates may propose to cover more than one thematic area.

Please see the attached terms of reference for more details on the CPE as well as on the required qualifications and experience of the team leader and team members (section 12.2). Section 10 indicates the evaluation timeline and the expected evaluation deliverables are described in section 8.

How to apply:

Interested individuals with the required qualifications and experience should submit their application to maldives.office@unfpa.org with the subject line “Application for CPE consultancy”. The subject line should also clearly indicate the role (e.g., team leader; thematic expert; for which they would like to be considered. They must also indicate the area(s) of thematic expertise of the CP they can cover (e.g., sexual and reproductive health and rights; adolescents and youth; gender equality and women’s empowerment; or population dynamics). 

The application should include:

• A cover letter, indicating the candidate’s motivation for this consultancy as well as relevant expertise and experience.
• An updated copy of the curriculum vitae (CV) and a duly completed P11 UN Personal History Form.
• Names and contact information of three references.
• A recent evaluation report or other type of writing sample in English (from a similar assignment) drafted by the candidate.
• Availability and expected daily rate for consultancy services.

The closing date for the submission of applications is 10 March at 4.00 pm at GMT 5+ time zone.

Only those candidates who meet all qualifications and experience will be contacted for further consideration. Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.