Independent Mid-term Evaluation of the “Building capacity for the 2030 Agenda 2.0” project

Evaluation, training, capacity development, sustainable learning, 2030 Agenda

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a principal training arm of the United Nations, with the aim to increase the effectiveness of the United Nations in achieving its major objectives through training and research. UNITAR’s mission is to develop the individual, institutional and organizational capacity of countries and other United Nations stakeholders through high-quality learning solutions and related knowledge products and services to enhance decision-making and to support country-level action for overcoming global challenges. 

UNITAR’s fifth Strategic Objective calls to “Promote the indivisible and integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda”. The sub-objective SO 5.2 “Support coherence and evidence-based policies of the 2030 Agenda” focuses on strengthening capacities of Member States and key partners for implementing and monitoring progress on the 2030 Agenda, with emphasis on enhancing the capacities of countries in special situations in promoting coherent and evidence-based policies and in improving multi-stakeholder engagement at the national level.

The project aims to contribute to the transformation of the capacities of countries, institutions and individuals with a view to embedding key SDG principles into their daily analysis and practices, and enabling them to design, implement and review policies, strategies, programmes, actions and initiatives that are both, coherent and highly effective reflecting the complex linkages between all SDGs and that contribute to making sure the world is a better place for all using the ‘leave no one behind’ as the guiding principle. The project objective and results areas build on the earlier project “Capacity for the 2030 Agenda” (2017-2019). 

The project uses a combination of tailored support, i.e., advisory services, national and regional pilot learning and Training-of-Trainers (face-to-face) events, with the participation of selected countries who requested this type of cooperation, and the dissemination of knowledge through e-learning and other knowledge products.

The project further aims to achieve three result areas:

• Result Area 1. Promoting greater policy coherence and Leaving No One Behind
• Result Area 2. Data and evidence to support coherent decision-making and reporting on the SDGs
• Result Area 3. Spreading the knowledge and building skillsets

The project document calls for an independent evaluation initiated at the latest six months before the end of the validity of the agreement.

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, likelihood of impact and likelihood of sustainability of the project; to identify any problems or challenges that the project has encountered; to issue recommendations, and to identify lessons to be learned on design, implementation and management. The evaluation’s purpose is thus to provide findings and conclusions to meet accountability requirements, and recommendations and lessons learned to contribute to the project’s improvement and broader organizational learning. The evaluation should not only assess how well the project has performed, but also seek to answer the ‘why ‘question by identifying factors contributing to (or inhibiting) successful delivery of the results. The evaluation is also forward-looking to inform decisions on the design and planning of possible future phases and focus areas.  

More information can be found in the terms of references (Annex 1).

The consultant shall undertake a desk review based on the related documents including analytical reports; collect data using appropriate tools, including surveys, interviews and focus groups; analyze data using quantitative and qualitative methods as appropriate to the evaluation questions; and submit deliverables in accordance with the below schedule.

• Evaluation design/ question matrix
• Data collection and analysis, including survey(s), interviews, focus groups
• Zero draft evaluation
• Draft evaluation
• Final evaluation
• Presentation of findings

Deliverables:

1. Deliverable: Evaluation design/question matrix

From: Evaluator

To: Evaluation manager

Deadline*: 13 March 2022

2. Deliverable: Zero draft report

From: Evaluator

To: Evaluation manager

Deadline*: 5 June 2022

3. Deliverable: Draft report

From: Evaluator

To: Evaluation manager

Deadline*: 26 June 2022

4. Deliverable: Final report

From: Evaluator

To: Evaluation manager

Deadline*: 19 July 2022

5. Deliverable: Presentation of the evaluation findings, recommendations and lessons learned

From: Evaluator/evaluation manager

To: Project Management

Deadline*: 19 July 2022

*To be adjusted depending on the contract signature and to be agreed upon with the Evaluation Manager.

The performance indicators for evaluation of results for this assignment are the following:

• Timely submission of deliverables;
• Satisfactory quality of the evaluation report.

The evaluation will be undertaken by an international consultant under the overall responsibility of the Manager, Planning, Performance Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit (PPME), UNITAR

Qualifications:

• Masters Degree or equivalent in development, public policy or policy analysis or a related discipline. Knowledge and experience of executive type training, including in areas related to the 2030 Agenda.
• At least 7 years of professional experience conducting evaluation in the field of capacity building. Knowledge of United Nations Norms and Standards for Evaluation.
• Technical knowledge of the focal area including the evaluation of 2030 Agenda related topics.
• Field work experience in developing countries.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, including experience in a variety of evaluation methods and approaches. Experience in evaluation using Kirkpatrick method is an advantage.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Cross-cultural awareness and flexibility.
• Availability to travel.

Languages: Fluency in oral and written English.