Job Description

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women has been implementing the EntreprenHER Programme, formerly known as Accelerate Women-Owned Micro Enterprises (AWOME) since 2018. The programme is multinational, implemented in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. The programme aims to strengthen the sustainability, profitability, and growth of women-owned micro-enterprises, particularly those operating in the informal economy. EntreprenHER targets 4500 women entrepreneurs across the three countries by end of 2026, focusing on, entrepreneurship, life skills development; access to finance and markets; digital tools and technology; institutional and policy strengthening; visibility, advocacy and scalability. This programme is aligned with the UN Women Strategic Notes from 2017- 2022 and 2023-2025, SDGs 5 and 8, the 2030 Agenda, and the Leave No One Behind principle.

UN Women South Africa is seeking services of national evaluation expert to conduct external evaluation of the Accelerate Women-Owned Micro Enterprises (AWOME) – EntreprenHER Programme 2018 -2025. The national evaluation expert will be reporting to the Deputy Country Representative and will be supported by Programme Manager for EntreprenHER Programme, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

1. Purpose of the Evaluation

The evaluation will assess the programme’s design and theory of change, implementation and delivery modalities, capacity development and mentoring approaches, access to finance, markets and technology, and the effectiveness of partnerships and institutional strengthening. It will also examine the integration of gender equality and Leave No One Behind principles, as well as the sustainability and scalability of programme results. Therefore, the evaluation will be utilization-focused and aligned with UN Women and UNEG evaluation standards. The purpose of the evaluation is to:

Assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, sustainability, and scalability of the programme.
Evaluate the degree of influence the programme has in the form of jobs sustained job, new jobs created and change in enterprise profitability overtime
Strengthen accountability to donors, stakeholders, and beneficiaries and Return on Investment (RoI).

2. Scope of the Evaluation

The timing of this external evaluation is intended to assess the effectiveness and lessons learned from January 2018 to June 2026 in all three countries. The evaluation will also draw on findings from the recent Country Programme Evaluation (CPE) 2017-2023 to leverage existing evidence, analysis and avoid duplication. All programme documents including partner agreement, partner reports, donor reports, work plans and training reports within the implementation period will be considered. With respect to the intended scope of the External Evaluation, depending on availability of secondary data and anticipated limitations, the Evaluation Consultant is expected to establish the boundaries for the evaluation, especially in terms of which stakeholders and relationships will be

consulted. This will need to be discussed in the Inception Workshop. The consultant is not expected to collect output monitoring data (however, ensuring this is available should be part of the evaluability assessment).

3. Evaluation Criteria and questions

The evaluation will apply OECD-DAC criteria, assessing relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, gender equality and women’s empowerment, coherence, sustainability and scale, as well as risk and Leave No One Behind considerations. The evaluation will apply the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria, adapted to UN Women standards.

Relevance
To what extent was the EntreprenHER Programme design and theory of change responsive to the needs, priorities and structural constraints of women entrepreneurs in the informal sector across South Africa, Botswana and Namibia?
How appropriate and realistic were the programme’s assumptions regarding skills development, access to finance, markets and technology in each context?
Coherence
How coherent was the programme with national policies, UN system initiatives and other development partner interventions?
To what extent did the programme strengthen collaboration and complementarity with governments, financial institutions, private sector actors and ecosystem partners supporting women’s entrepreneurship?
Effectiveness
To what extent has the EntreprenHER Programme achieved its intended outputs and outcomes for women entrepreneurs from 2018–2026?
What programme components contributed most to results, and how did outcomes differ across the three countries?
Efficiency
To what extent were financial, human and partnership resources used efficiently to achieve results?
How effective were programme management, coordination, monitoring systems (including MIS) and adaptive learning processes in supporting timely and cost-effective implementation?
Impact
What evidence exists of short term and longer-term changes resulting from the programme, including sustained income growth, decision-making power, resilience, confidence and economic empowerment of beneficiaries? Are there any unintended consequences that should be considered in future programme planning?
Sustainability
To what extent are programme results and benefits likely to be sustained beyond 2025?
What institutional, financial, policy and partnership conditions are required to sustain, scale or replicate the EntreprenHER model, and what key lessons should inform future women’s economic empowerment programming?

4. Methodology

The evaluator will apply a gender-responsive, theory-based, mixed-methods approach, including:

Desk review of programme and monitoring documents
Key informant interviews
Focus group discussions with women entrepreneurs
Conduct survey on previous cohorts
Review case studies
Conduct field visits (where feasible)
Stakeholder validation

5. Deliverables

Inception Report including data collection tools
Interview and focus group discussion notes
Draft Evaluation Report
Validation presentation/workshop
Final Evaluation Report

6. Management and Ethics

The evaluation will be managed by UN Women, which will be responsible for overall coordination, contractual oversight, and quality assurance of the assignment. An Evaluation Reference Group (ERG) will be established to provide technical oversight, strategic guidance, and validation of key evaluation deliverables. The evaluation shall be conducted in full compliance with the UN Women Evaluation Policy and the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Ethical Guidelines, including requirements related to independence, ethical conduct, confidentiality, informed consent, and the principle of do-no-harm.

7. Duration of Contract

30 days spread over a period of three months from the date of signing the contract with no extension.

8. Ethical Standards

UN Women has developed a UN Women Evaluation Consultants Agreement Form for evaluators that must be signed as part of the contracting process, which is based on the UNEG Ethical Guidelines and Code of Conduct. These documents will be annexed to the contract. The UNEG guidelines note the importance of ethical conduct for the following reasons:

Responsible use of power: All those engaged in evaluation processes are responsible for upholding the proper conduct of the evaluation.
Ensuring credibility: With a fair, impartial and complete assessment, stake- holders are more likely to have faith in the results of an evaluation and to take note of the recommendations.
Responsible use of resources: Ethical conduct in evaluation increases the chances of acceptance by the parties to the evaluation and therefore the likelihood that the investment in the evaluation will result in improved outcomes.

The evaluator is expected to provide a detailed plan on how the following principles will be ensured throughout the evaluation (see UNEG Ethical Guidance for descriptions): 1) Respect for dignity and diversity; 2) Right to self-determination; 3) Fair representation; 4) Compliance with codes for vulnerable groups (e.g., ethics of research involving young children or vulnerable groups); 5) Redress; 6) Confidentiality; and 7) Avoidance of harm. Specific safeguards must be put in place to protect the safety (both physical and psychological) of both respondents and those collecting the data.

These should include:

A plan is in place to protect the rights of the respondent, including privacy and confidentiality.
The interviewer or data collector is trained in collecting sensitive information, and if the topic of the evaluation is focused on violence against women, they should have previous experience in this area.
Data collection tools are designed in a way that are culturally appropriate and do not create distress for respondents.
The interviewer or data collector can provide information on how individuals in situations of risk can seek support.

9. Duties and Responsibilities

The evaluation expert is expected to provide key contextual information and perspective to design a robust utilisation-focused evaluation report. The evaluation expert is also expected to collect data for the evaluation including.

Development of data collection tools
Facilitate the inception workshop and draft the inception report
Facilitate focus group discussions and plan field visits for data collection
Coordinate and communicate with evaluation stakeholders, including exit briefs and preliminary evaluation findings validation meetings etc.
Contribute towards the draft and final evaluation report.

10. Timeframe and Deliverables (A clear and unequivocal definition of the final product)

Deliverables	Timelines	No of Days
Facilitate Inception Workshop	April	10 Days
Programme Documents analysis and prepare Inception Report and data collection instruments
Validation of Inception Report by the key stakeholders
Final Inception report addressing comments from the Peer reviewer
Field work/visits and Data collection	May	12 Days
Data analysis, presentation of preliminary findings and development the report
Draft report reviewed by the Peer reviewer, IEAS leadership and country office team)
Final Report addressing the comments of the Evaluation Manager; Programme team; Regional Evaluation Specialist and ERG	May	8 Days
Presentation of Final Report
Brief summarizing the findings of the report
TOTAL		30 Days

11. Dissemination and uptake

During the inception phase, the country M&E focal point will work with the independent evaluation service (IES) evaluators to develop a dissemination plan. The plan will identify approaches to support dissemination and uptake for the target primary and secondary users of the evaluation, along with how this will be tracked.

Once the evaluation report is signed off, the Country Representative will lead the follow-up process to facilitate report use such as in the form of issuing a management response within 6 weeks of evaluation report finalisation, other dialogue and discussion sessions with the Country or regional management as deemed appropriate. The evaluator will also be responsible for developing a short brief with key findings and recommendations that will be disseminated more widely.

12. Management of the evaluation

This evaluation will have the following management structures:

IEAS Leadership: The Regional Evaluation Specialist (RES) of IEAS will support the evaluation related activities; both will review the key products of the evaluation and sign off on the final Evaluation Report and associated products.
Evaluation Manager: The Country M&R Analyst will serve as the team leader, responsible for managing the coordination and day-to-day management of the Evaluation, leading the methodological approach, collection of data, analysis and report writing. As team leader, the M&R Analyst will also be responsible for overseeing the work of the evaluation team members, managing the contracts and assuring quality of the work.
Evaluation Consultant: Evaluation consultant will conduct the evaluation and to provide key contextual information and support data collection.
Evaluation Reference Group (ERG): is responsible for providing substantive technical, administrative support and stakeholder perspective, the ERG will be asked to engage and provide input at every stage of the evaluation process, from design to preliminary results and final draft report. The ERG plays a critical role in ensuring a high quality, transparent process, providing insights on the key questions and approach, providing context and ensuring factual accuracy, ensuring gaps and misinterpretation of information is avoided. They will also be key informants and will play an important role in the dissemination of the evaluation findings and recommendations to ensure the use of the information by UN Women and key partners. Evaluation Reference Group members will be expected to:
- Participate in an inception meetings and debriefings with the evaluation consultant during the evaluation process .
- Provide feedback to the evaluation inception report., preliminary findings presentation and draft and final evaluation report.
- Contribute towards the disseminating and uptake of the evaluation results.

13. Two ERGs will be constituted:

The ERG will include the Country Office Representative, Deputy Representative, UN Women program leads and Evaluation focal person from the respective Regional Office, in addition to the Country Office’s Monitoring and Reporting Analyst.

14. Ethical code of conduct

UN Women has developed a UN Women Evaluation Consultants Agreement Form that evaluators must sign as part of the contracting process. The evaluators are also expected to provide a detailed plan on how the following principles will be ensured throughout the evaluation: 1) Respect for dignity and diversity; 2) Right to self-determination; 3) Fair representation; 4) Compliance with codes for vulnerable groups (e.g., ethics of research involving young children or vulnerable groups); 5) Redress; 6) Confidentiality; and 7) Avoidance of harm.

The evaluators must put safeguards to protect the safety of both respondents and those collecting the data. These should include/ensure:

A plan to protect the rights of the respondent, including privacy and confidentiality.
The interviewer or data collector is trained in collecting sensitive information.
Data collection tools are culturally appropriate and do not create distress for respondents.
The interviewer can provide information on how individuals in situations of risk can seek support based on the UNEG Ethical Guidelines and Code of Conduct see UNEG Ethical Guidance for descriptions

15. Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. In case of any official trip, approved by the office, the travel-related costs will be covered as per the associated duty travel policy.

Competencies :

Core Values:

Integrity;
Professionalism;
Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
Accountability;
Creative Problem Solving;
Effective Communication;
Inclusive Collaboration;
Stakeholder Engagement;
Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

Strong knowledge of gender and evaluation methodologies – qualitative and quantitative methods
Strong knowledge of results-based management
Excellent Analytical and Critical Thinking
Excellent communication and reporting skills - clear, concise, evidence-based
Knowledge and understanding of UN system

Education and Certification:

Master’s degree or equivalent in gender/women’s studies, sociology, international development, or any related field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A [project/programme management] certification would be an added advantage.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant work experience preferably in monitoring, evaluation or research on gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights in South Africa
Demonstrated experience in process management, including strong facilitation and communication skills to effectively engage, coordinate, and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
Knowledge of the role of UN Women or the UN system and its programming, coordination, and normative roles at country level is an asset.
Fluent in English both written and spoken is mandatory .

Application process

Applicants under consideration will be requested to submit:

A brief summary setting out their relevant experience against the qualifications section, no more than 100 words per requirement.
200 words setting out what challenges they anticipate facing as he/she deliver the evaluation, and how he/she would manage these challenges
A CV
Two examples of recent evaluation reports where the applicants played a key role in delivery
A statement to confirm their availability to deliver the assignment
A statement to confirm he/she is independent, and that have not been directly responsible for the design, or overall management of the subject of the evaluation, nor expect to be in the near future, and that he/she have no vested interest and have the full freedom to conduct their evaluative work impartially.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.

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