· Short term consultancy assignment

· Commencing December 2025, concluding August 2026

· Vanuatu

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About the project:

The Vanuatu Community-based Climate Resilience Project (VCCRP) is a multi-sectoral initiative designed to strengthen the adaptive capacity of vulnerable and remote communities across all six provinces of Vanuatu. As the largest community-based climate adaptation project in the country’s history, it is primarily funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with co-financing from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Save the Children Australia, and in-kind contributions from the Government of Vanuatu.

Spanning six years (2022-2028), the VCCRP is implemented through a strong partnership between the Government of Vanuatu – led by the Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation and supported by key sectoral ministries – and Save the Children Vanuatu. Save the Children Australia serves as the Accredited Entity to the GCF, ensuring effective oversight and coordination. The project is being delivered in 29 Area Councils, focusing on locally driven, inclusive, and sustainable adaptation solutions that address the unique challenges of each community.

The project’s theory of change ‘paradigm shifting’ goal statement is that IF vulnerable remote and rural communities in Vanuatu access and utilize locally-relevant climate information, integrate climate risks into community planning processes, and are supported to implement priority adaptation actions; THEN they will be more resilient to the impacts of increasing climate variability, extremes and change on their food security and livelihoods; BECAUSE their exposure and vulnerability to hazards will be reduced and their adaptive capacity increased.

The project is structured around three interlinked components: strengthening governance to support resilience; implementing scalable, locally appropriate adaptation actions; and enhancing institutional adaptive capacity through improved sub-national planning and knowledge systems. Activities span from establishing and capacitating Community Disaster and Climate Change Committees (CDCCCs), to supporting nature-based solutions, climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries, and women-led livelihood diversification.

By embedding climate risk management into local governance systems and supporting inclusive, community-driven adaptation planning, the VCCRP aims to deliver transformative change. It is expected to result in improved food security, sustainable livelihoods, and reduced exposure to climate hazards for over 200,157 people (direct and indirect beneficiaries) people. The project also contributes to national climate and disaster risk reduction priorities by strengthening feedback loops between local, provincial, and national levels, ensuring that community experiences and innovations inform broader policy and planning frameworks.

A place to make a difference:

Save the Children is seeking a consultant (individual or team) to lead the interim evaluation of the VCCRP. This midterm evaluation will assess the project’s progress, effectiveness, and alignment with GCF standards, with a focus on community-based and locally led adaptation. The consultant will work closely with Save the Children, the Government of Vanuatu, and other key stakeholders to generate actionable insights that inform adaptive management and strengthen accountability and learning.

In this consulting assignment you will:

• Lead the design and delivery of the interim evaluation, including development of an inception report, evaluation matrix, and qualitative data collection tools.
• Conduct field-based qualitative data collection (e.g., case studies, key informant interviews, focus group discussions) in selected communities across two provinces.
• Integrate and analyze midline quantitative data to assess project performance and identify gaps in evidence.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and validation processes, including workshops with government partners, community representatives, and project teams.
• Produce a high-quality draft and final evaluation report, including evidence-based recommendations, revised indicators, and a community-friendly evaluation brief.
• Ensure all evaluation activities are conducted ethically, inclusively, and in alignment with safeguarding and locally led adaptation principles.

For detailed information, the full Terms of Reference are available here.

This consultancy requires:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in evaluating complex, multi-sector climate change or development projects, with expertise in GEDSI, community-based or locally led and climate change adaptation, climate information services and climate governance systems, nature-based solutions and/or agriculture.
• Demonstrated experience conducting evaluations or research in Vanuatu or the Pacific with existing networks in Vanuatu, including qualitative data collection in rural and remote communities.
• Proven ability to integrate quantitative and qualitative data, with extensive expertise in the analysis of qualitative data, and the ability to communicate findings to diverse audiences, including government and community stakeholders.
• Team composition to include fluency in English and Bislama.
• Willingness to comply with Save the Children’s safeguarding policies, including police checks and child protection training.
• Experience in GCF or other climate finance funded projects is desirable.

Does this sound like the place for you?

We’d love to hear from you. To apply, please submit the following:

• A letter of interest outlining your understanding of the assignment and relevant experience in climate change adaptation, evaluation, and work in Vanuatu.
• A technical proposal (maximum 15 pages) detailing your proposed methodology, team composition and roles, risk mitigation strategies, and a tentative work plan.
• A financial proposal (maximum 2 pages) in USD, clearly separating consultancy fees from other costs (e.g., logistics, administration), including a payment breakdown.
• CVs of all proposed team members, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
• Three samples of previous evaluation or research work (preferably midline, outcome, or process evaluations).
• Contact details for three referees familiar with your work on similar assignments.

Applications must be received no later than 17 November 2025. In case you are interested in applying but need additional time, please reach out to us.

Applications and questions can be sent to Louisa Carpenter, Pacific MEAL Technical Advisor (louisa.carpenter1@savethechildren.org.au).

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All consultants are required to undergo an International / National Police Check, a Working with Children Check where necessary, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.