YSF Independent Evaluator

The UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF) supports youth-led organizations that foster peaceful and inclusive societies by providing them with direct funding to implement their own projects promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue. Established in 2008, the Fund responded to calls for action made by youth-led organizations around the world on the importance of establishing funding mechanisms for youth.

In addition to funding projects selected through a competitive call for proposals, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) offers technical support and capacity building in order to further promote the development of youth-led organizations working to advance the UNAOC mandate.

Since 2008, UNAOC has launched five editions of the YSF and provided funding to 50 youth-led organizations based in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.

In the years 2015 – 2017, part of funding for YSF was provided to UNAOC by the Government of Finland. The donor’s contribution supported youth-led projects implemented by 12 youth-led organizations based in Africa and Asia. As part of the agreement concluded between Finland and UNAOC, the donor has requested to conduct an independent evaluation of the Youth Solidarity Fund programme in Africa and Asia covering the activities in years 2015 – 2017.  UNAOC is seeking a consultant to lead that evaluation.

The consultant will work with an identified focal point at UNAOC. His/her duties will include:

• Review documents provided by UNAOC regarding the Youth Solidarity Fund, including the YSF background files; projects implementation plans; projects outcome reports and video/photo footage that corresponds to each project; findings of UNAOC M&E visits conducted in the past; calls for applications and selection process documents, etc.
• Undertake a desk research of the 12 projects funded by the Government of Finland in MENA, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
• Conduct phone or Skype interviews with relevant UNAOC employees, YSF recipients and their beneficiaries as needed.
• Conduct on-site visits to select locations to meet project beneficiaries and seek their feedback on the YSF projects’ impact. The exact timeline and locations of on-site visits by the evaluator will be discussed and determined upon consulting relevant UNAOC employees and in view of budget available for on-site visits.
• Prepare and submit a final report, which will include an independent assessment of the YSF programme design, quality and outcomes; impact of projects funded by the Government of Finland; lessons learned and recommendations on the way forward with the YSF programme planning and execution. The final report needs to be a substantial document that provides findings and conclusions, which are based on robust and transparent evidence and supplements UNAOC’s own data with an independent research.
• Remain available for any follow up questions, which UNAOC and/or the Government of Finland may have in relation to the final report content and key recommendations.

 Education

• Advance university degree (Master of equivalent) in international relations, social and humanitarian sciences, law or in any field related to the UNAOC areas of work.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of the other UN language is an asset.
• Knowledge of global youth policies and priorities is an advantage.

 Work Experience

• 5 or more years of progressively responsible professional work experience in programme monitoring and evaluation, both at local and international levels.  Experience of working as an evaluator in the context of humanitarian, cultural, developmental projects is an asset.
• Solid experience in monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of project management, designing logical frameworks and risk analysis.
• Strong experience in issuing reports, recommendations and findings.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

 ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Based in the New York, the UNOPS Development Group Cluster supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. For example, within the United Nations Development Programme, the Cluster works with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and the Office of South-South Cooperation.

The cluster also supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations in the delivery of project management and implementation services