Evaluation Consultant (Evaluation Expert)

Result of Service

4. Expected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverable(s): The Evaluation Expert is responsible for the quality and timely submission of his/her specific deliverables, as specified below. All products should be well written in English and have a clear, transparent and verifiable analysis process. The evaluation team will report exclusively to the Chief or the Deputy Chief of the UNODC Independent Evaluation Section (IES). The Evaluation Expert will interact with the Substantive Expert(s)/evaluation team and IES throughout the entire evaluation process, requesting drafted inputs (and revisions of such) from the Substantive Expert(s)/evaluation team for all deliverables. The Evaluation Expert is responsible for the following deliverables: • Inception report in line with UNODC evaluation norms, standards, guidelines and templates. This includes a desk review summary, refined evaluation questions, data collection instruments (including surveys/questionnaires and interview guides), sampling strategy, evaluation matrix and limitations to the evaluation. Submission to IES through Unite Evaluations for review and clearance and IES may share it with Project Management for a review of factual errors; • Implement a high-quality data collection based on the instruments from the cleared Inception Report, ensuring that ethical considerations for evaluations in the UN are fully met; • A detailed overview of data collection efforts (e.g. per email) with dates and times of field missions, number of stakeholders interviewed, survey respondents, etc. • Implement a high-quality data analysis, ensuring that all evaluation results are based on triangulated evidence and that the standards for evaluation in the UN and at UNODC are fully met; • Oral briefing of initial observations to project team, the Board and IES (if applicable); • Conduct a preliminary findings workshop for validation with project staff; • Draft report in line with UNODC evaluation norms, standards, guidelines and templates. This also includes an analysis of the performance of the project to adequately address gender equality, disability inclusion as well as human rights issues, with concrete findings, conclusions and recommendations. Submission to IES through Unite Evaluations for review and clearance (may entail various rounds of comments and revision in accordance); A briefing on the draft report with project/programme management, and the Board, together with IES may also be organized. This will be based on discussion with IES and project/programme management. • Revised draft report based upon comments received from the various consultative processes (IES, Project Management and Core Learning Partners), including full proof reading; • Finalization of the Final Evaluation Report in line with UNODC evaluation norms, standards, guidelines and templates. In addition, a 2-page evaluation brief and PowerPoint presentations on final evaluation results, including full proofreading and editing. Submission to IES through Unite Evaluations for review and clearance (may entail various rounds of comments and revision in accordance). Final presentations of evaluation results to internal and external stakeholders, as requested by IES. This may also include a separate briefing with the Board and IES. According to UNODC rules and UNEG Norms and Standards, the Evaluation Expert shall not have had any responsibility for the design, implementation or supervision of any of the projects, programs or policies that he/she is evaluating and/or have benefited from the programme or project or theme under evaluation. The UNODC Independent Evaluation Section is the sole clearing entity for all evaluation deliverables and products. The Evaluation Expert must respect the UNEG Ethical Guidelines. IES can at any point in time change the evaluation type, process, structure or approach as needed.

Work Location

Home-based with potential travel to HQ (Austria) and selected RTO locations (Mexico, Nigeria, Egypt,

Expected duration

01/02/26 – 31/10/26

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background of the assignment: The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) launched the Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme following the adoption of General Assembly resolution 73/192 (2018) to support governments in detecting and dismantling sources of emerging synthetic drugs, new psychoactive substances (NPS), non-medical synthetic opioids (including fentanyls), and related chemicals trafficked worldwide. The programme achieves this through access and training of Member States on INCB’s proprietary secure, real-time NPS information exchange platform (IONICS suite), per 1961/35(g); expanded national strategic and operational analytics (GRIDS Intelligence); capability development delivered via a network of Regional Technical Officers (RTOs); and online monitoring, exchanges and practical public–private partnerships across the “4M” industries—manufacture, marketing, movement, and monetization. GRIDS enhances international cooperation, supports voluntary, coordinated enforcement actions by governments and private sector partners, and aligns with international priorities to detect, disrupt and dismantle organized criminal activity at its source. 2. Purpose of the assignment: The purpose of this assignment is to lead and conduct the in-depth evaluation of programme GLOW95 implemented by UNODC/DTA/SINCB, fully complying with the UNODC Evaluation requirements , as well as the UN Evaluation Groups norms and standards. The IDE will assess how the programme has supported government efforts to detect, deny, disrupt and dismantle sources of emerging synthetic drugs, new psychoactive substances (NPS), and non-medical synthetic opioids (including fentanyls), as well as related chemicals and equipment. The final products are intended for use by the Board and its Secretariat to inform programme adjustments and further initiatives. 3. Specific tasks to be performed by the Evaluation Expert: Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief or the Deputy Chief of the UNODC Independent Evaluation Section at Headquarters (Vienna, Austria), the key responsibilities of the Evaluation Expert include: • Conduct a desk review of relevant documents and engage with Project Management from the onset for requesting further documentation, etc. • Develop the evaluation design, in line with requirements of the Inception Report template, with detailed method, tools and techniques that are gender-inclusive and gender-sensitive, generating information from and about men, women and other marginalized groups, as well as key gender, disability inclusion and human rights issues; • Conduct a high-quality data collection phase, based on the approved Inception Report, by implementing all approved data collection tools and methods in an inclusive and participatory manner. Ensure that all requirements as per the approved Inception Report are met. • Conduct a high-quality data analysis, including using related tools and software (e.g. NVivo), and ensure that IES has access to all raw data at any given point in time. • Conduct a preliminary findings workshop for validation with project staff • Ensure adherence to the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards, UNODC evaluation norms, standards, guidelines and templates and the full evaluation terms of Reference (ToR) and participate in kick-off meeting; • Lead and guide the independent evaluation team, having clear work plans developed and ensuring high-quality deliverables fully meeting UNODC evaluation norms and standards. • Ensure that all deliverables mentioned in these terms of reference are submitted in a timely and satisfactory manner, and in line with the quality criteria checklist; • Ensure that the identified IES focal point is fully informed of the evaluation process, is invited to all meetings of the evaluation team and has access to all collected data throughout the evaluation process. • Provide various presentations/briefings throughout the evaluation process, as requested; • Effectively coordinate and interact, throughout the entire evaluation process, with the Substantive Expert(s)/evaluation team. Request drafted inputs (and revisions of such) from the Substantive Expert(s)/evaluation team for all deliverables.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, international relations, economics or related field with specialized training/education in evaluation is required. A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • A minimum of 10 (ten) years professional technical experience in in the field of evaluation or related field, including a track record of conducting various types of evaluation at the international level, preferably with experience in conducting evaluations for the United Nations is required; • Experience in leading a team is required; • Knowledge and experience of the UN System and in particular of UNODC is desirable; • Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods is required; • Experience in gender sensitive evaluation methodologies and analysis, and 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;

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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