Result of Service
The consultant will produce a comprehensive evaluation report that will highlight the main achievements of Phase I of BBI, as well as the good practices and lessons learned. The ultimate result of the services of the consultant will be recommendations for improving the implementation of Phase II of BBI.
Work Location
Remote – Home-based
Expected duration
Four (4) months.
Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational setting
The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ‘sustainable development’. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in Rio in 1992. The Convention has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by United Nations Environment Programme. Its main tasks are to arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties, including preparation of pertinent documentation, operation of the central node of the clearing-house mechanism, liaison and coordination with other international bodies and processes and, in close collaboration with these partners, the provision of technical support for the effective implementation of the Convention.
Duties and responsibilities
The consultant will report to the BBI Programme Management Officer.
The consultant conducting the evaluation will be expected to undertake the following tasks in a participatory and consultative manner:
• Developing a methodology to conduct the terminal evaluation;
• Conducting an in-depth review of relevant documents (e.g. the BBI Action Plan 2017-2020, Annual Reports, other progress and financial reports, project documents, and other relevant resources available on the BBI Website and its Matchmaking Platform);
• Organizing and conducting a series of interviews and consultations with Parties and relevant stakeholders (including Secretariat staff, implementing partners and other institutions involved in the delivery of BBI projects, project leaders and beneficiaries, etc.);
• Collecting and incorporating the comments and feedback received into the evaluation report;
• Preparing the final evaluation report;
• Any other related tasks may be assigned by the BBI Programme Management Officer.
Qualifications/special skills
Skills: Evaluation and analytical skills are required. Knowledge of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its processes is required. Familiarity with the operation of the Bio-Bridge Initiative or other similar support programmes is desirable. Ability to organize and synthesize information, and to prepare evaluation reports by incorporating suggestions and comments of interviewees and external reviewers. Demonstrated expertise in planning, organization, editing and communication, in particular in relation to project evaluation, are desired.
Academic Qualifications: University degree in environment policy, sustainable development, public administration, project management or related field is required.
Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive professional work experience is required. The consultant should be familiar with project evaluation and analysis or research methodologies. Experience in the field of programme management, biodiversity and environmental issues, communication, analytical writing, project analysis is desirable.
Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an asset.