The Position:

Globally, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan. At the country level, the UNFPA Angola Country Office is currently implementing its 9th Country Programme (CPD) for the period 2024–2028. The programme document was approved and launched toward the end of the 2022–2025 UNFPA Strategic Plan and therefore spans two corporate strategic planning cycles. While implementation began under the 2022–2025 Strategic Plan, the majority of the programme period coincides with the 2026–2029 UNFPA Strategic Plan.

You will report to:  Technical Specialist for Population and Development

How you can make a difference:

 Job Purpose:

The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct an independent Mid-Term Review of the UNFPA Angola 9th Country Programme (2024–2028). The review will provide strategic, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen programme performance, alignment, and impact during the remaining
1 implementation period (2026–2028), while also informing the design of future country programmes. At the conclusion of the consultancy, the Country Office (CO) will organize a “Strategic Reflection Moment”, during which the consultant will present the key findings and recommendations. This session will provide an opportunity for the CO and its partners and stakeholders to jointly reflect on the results, agree on priority next steps, and co-create forward-looking recommendations to enhance programme effectiveness.

You would be responsible for:

Design and conduct the Mid-Term Review of the UNFPA Angola 9th Country Programme (2024–2028), guided by the agreed core review questions outlined below. The review will apply a Theory of Change–based approach, incorporating human rights, gender equality, and the “leave no one behind”(LNOB) principles, and will employ a mixed-methods methodology. The consultant will operationalize each assessment question proposed by UNFPA through clearly defined sub-questions, judgment criteria, and indicators, which will be refined and validated during the inception phase. The Consultant will also propose the most appropriate methodological approach for conducting the Mid-Term Review. Although this exercise is a review rather than a formal evaluation, the Consultant will refer to the UN Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards and the UNFPA Evaluation Policy as guiding frameworks to ensure methodological rigor and credibility. The overall approach will combine robust evidence generation with strong stakeholder engagement, ensuring both analytical rigor and ownership of the findings, while promoting forward-looking learning for programme improvement.

Specific activities:

● Design the review exercise - methodologies and timelines- and develop an inception report.

● Collect and analyse comprehensive evidence against the Country Programme results framework, including progress toward Country Programme outputs, outcomes, and relevant indicators in the Integrated Results and Resources Framework (IRRF). Quantitative

monitoring data will be triangulated with qualitative insights gathered from programme participants (beneficiaries), implementing partners, and key stakeholders.

● As part of the review, assess the effectiveness of programme monitoring and data collection systems, including the quality, completeness, and utilization of monitoring data generated through UNFPA-supported interventions and partnerships. Particular attention

will be given to the extent to which project-level monitoring systems provide credible evidence of results and inform programme management, learning, and reporting

● Examine based on evidence (quantitative and qualitative), key results generated through major programme initiatives and projects, including donor-funded programmes and partnerships. In this regard, the Consultant will assess the effectiveness of data collection and monitoring practices across key initiatives—such as the PAT II programme, the Safeguard Young People Programme (SYP), and the Norway-funded programme—with a view to determining the results achieved and the extent to which monitoring data demonstrates progress toward Country Programme outcomes.

● Analyse the interlinkages, complementarities, and synergies across these initiatives, including the degree to which they contribute coherently to the Country Programme’s Theory of Change and reinforce shared results pathways. This will include assessing

whether lessons learned, monitoring data, and implementation experiences generated through individual projects are systematically integrated into programme-wide learning and results reporting.

● Based on the analysis, develop a review report, including findings, lessons learned, and a draft set of strategic and actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening programme implementation, improving integration across programme components, enhancing monitoring and data use for results-based management, and maximizing programme effectiveness during the remaining implementation period (2026–2028).

● Present the report (key findings and preliminary recommendations) during the Strategic Reflection Moment workshop, to be convened by the Country Office (CO) with partners and stakeholders. The session will provide an opportunity to collectively review the findings and use them as a basis to co-create the final recommendations and agree on priority next steps.

Evaluation Questions and Analytical Framework

1. Strategic Alignment and Continued Relevance: To what extent does the 9th Country Programme remain strategically relevant and aligned with:

(a) the 2026–2029 UNFPA Strategic Plan; (b) the ICPD Programme of Action; and (c) Angola’s national development priorities and the UNSDCF 2024–2028? The Consultant will assess and make recommendations for the remaining two years implementation of CPD on following areas:

● Alignment of the ongoing country programme outcomes and outputs with the four outcomes/outputs of the 2026–2029 Strategic Plan (family planning, maternal mortality, GBV/harmful practices, demographic change);

● Coherence and continued relevance of the Country Programme Theory of Change: Assess whether the Theory of Change remains valid and relevant in light of evolving demographic, policy, institutional, and partner contexts. The review will examine whether its assumptions and causal pathways remain realistic based on results achieved and contributions from other partners, and identify areas where adjustments may be needed to strengthen pathways and improve the likelihood of achieving programme results during 2026–2028.

● Alignment with national demographic, health, gender and youth priorities;

● Coherence across the humanitarian–development–peace (HDP) nexus;

● Continued relevance in light of evolving demographic trends, fiscal constraints, and the broader political economy context, including the implications of UN80 reforms and the downsizing of some UN agencies;

● Whether strategic recalibration is required for the second half of the programme implementation period (2026–2028), and if so, how adjustments could help accelerate progress toward the achievement of country programme results.

2. Contribution to Transformative Results and Demographic Change:

To what extent has the Country Programme contributed to accelerating progress toward the three transformative results and the demographic change agenda, particularly for populations left furthest behind? What evidence demonstrates measurable change at the outcome level? The Consultant will assess:

● Evidence of measurable progress at outcome and intermediate outcome levels for each of the Three Transformative Results (reducing unmet need for family planning; reducing preventable maternal deaths; and preventing and responding to GBV and harmful practices)

● Integration of population dynamics and demographic change into national planning frameworks - results, challenges and strategic shifts;

● Equity and “leaving no one behind” (LNOB) considerations, with particular attention to populations furthest left behind, including adolescents, rural women, populations in the poorest wealth quintiles, persons with disabilities, and other groups facing barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR);

● Gender equality and human rights mainstreaming, including the extent to which programme interventions have addressed structural barriers affecting women and girls.

● Strength of contribution pathways and institutional change processes, including how UNFPA support has influenced policies, systems strengthening, capacity development, and partnerships. The evaluation will apply a contribution analysis lens, recognizing multi-actor development dynamics.

3. Effectiveness of Implementation — What Works, What Does Not, and

Why?: What implementation approaches, programmatic strategies, partnerships, and delivery models under the 9th Country Programme have proven most effective in achieving results — which have been less effective— and what factors explain these outcomes? The Consultant will examine:

Alignment with the Country Programme Theory of Change:

● To what extent have the strategies and approaches implemented been consistent with the Theory of Change initially developed for the Country Programme Document (CPD)?

● Where deviations have occurred, what were the reasons and implications for programme results?

Effectiveness of interventions and delivery modalities:

● Which programme interventions, implementation modalities, and partnership arrangements have demonstrated measurable progress toward CPD indicators and intended outcomes?

● Which delivery models have proven most effective in reaching target populations, particularly those furthest left behind?

Performance of programme monitoring and data systems:

● To what extent have UNFPA-supported projects and initiatives established effective systems for monitoring programme implementation and collecting data on outputs and outcomes?

● Assess the quality, completeness, and timeliness of monitoring data generated through major programme initiatives and projects, including those supported through partnerships and donor-funded programmes.

● Examine how monitoring data has been used for results-based management, adaptive  programming, and reporting against CountryProgramme indicators and donor commitments.

Assessment of project-level results and evidence of change:

● To what extent do monitoring data and other sources of evidence demonstrate tangible results associated with programme interventions, including behavioural change, improved access to services, strengthened institutional capacities, or policy influence?

Interlinkages and complementarities across programme initiatives:

● Analyse the extent to which major programme initiatives and projects (such as PAT II, the Safeguard Young People Programme (SYP), and the Norway-funded programme) are strategically aligned and mutually reinforcing within the broader Country Programme framework.

● Assess whether these initiatives contribute coherently to shared results pathways under the CPD Theory of Change.

● Examine the extent to which lessons learned and monitoring data generated through individual projects are shared, integrated, andused across programme components to strengthen programme effectiveness.

Performance gaps and influencing factors:

● Identify programme components or activities that have not delivered expected results or have delayed progress toward CPD indicator targets, and analyse the operational and contextual factors influencing programme performance, including institutional capacity,

financing, coordination mechanisms, policy and regulatory environments, social and gender norms, demographic pressures, and external shocks.

Functionality of integrated and systems-strengthening approaches:

● How effectively have integrated programming and systems-strengthening strategies been implemented across the six output pathways of the Country Programme?

Lessons for adaptive management:

● What lessons can be drawn from programme implementation—including from project-level monitoring and cross-project collaboration—to inform programme adjustments, strengthen integration across initiatives, and support adaptive management during the remainder of the programme cycle?

4. Efficiency, Partnerships, and Sustainability: To what extent is the Country Programme being implemented efficiently and in a manner that strengthens national ownership, institutional capacity, partnerships, and long-term sustainability? The Consultant will assess:

Efficiency of resource utilization and value for money:

● The extent to which programme resources (financial, technical, and human) have been utilized efficiently in relation to results achieved.

● Whether programme resources have been allocated strategically across outputs and interventions to maximize impact and accelerate progress toward CPD results.

Alignment of financial and human resource allocations with programme priorities:

● Budget execution patterns and the extent to which financial allocations correspond to strategic programme priorities and expected results.

Efficiency of multi-project implementation and coordination:

● The extent to which major programme initiatives and projects (including donor-funded initiatives such as PAT II, the SYP, and the Norway-funded programme) are implemented in a coordinated and complementary manner.

● Whether these initiatives generate operational synergies, reduce duplication of effort, and contribute efficiently to shared Country Programme results.

Leveraging of domestic and external resources:

● The extent to which the programme has successfully mobilized additional financial and technical resources from government, development partners, and other stakeholders.

● The role of partnerships in strengthening programme scale, sustainability, and policy influence.

Effectiveness and strategic value of partnerships:

● Effectiveness of collaboration with government institutions, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and other United Nations agencies in achieving programme results.

● Opportunities to strengthen partnerships that enhance programme reach, innovation, and sustainability.

Strengthening of national institutional capacity:

● Evidence of improvements in the capacities of national institutions and partners to design, implement, monitor, and sustain programme interventions.

● The extent to which UNFPA support contributes to sustainable institutional systems rather than short-term project-based outcomes.

Programme coordination and integration:

● Functionality of internal programme coordination mechanisms within the Country Office and external coordination with national and subnational stakeholders.

● Effectiveness of mechanisms for integrating lessons learned, monitoring data, and implementation experience across different programme initiatives.

Collaboration within the UN system:

● Opportunities to strengthen collaboration and convergence with other UN agencies in areas of shared mandate (e.g., adolescent pregnancy prevention, gender equality, child marriage, and youth empowerment).

Contribution of communication, advocacy, and visibility efforts:

● Results of external communication, advocacy, and outreach efforts in influencing policy dialogue, strengthening public awareness, and supporting programme visibility and resource mobilization.

Sustainability prospects beyond the programme cycle:

● Institutional, financial, HR, operational and programmatic factors that may support or hinder the continuation and scaling of programme results beyond 2028.

● The extent to which programme interventions and partnerships are likely to generate lasting systems-level change

5. Adaptation, Risk Management, and Forward Orientation: How effectively has the Country Programme adapted to emerging risks, demographic shifts, funding constraints, and contextual changes — and what strategic adjustments are required to maximize impact during the remaining programme period (2026–2028)?

The Consultant will assess:

● Responsiveness to economic volatility and fiscal space constraints;

● Adaptation to demographic shifts and youth pressures;

● Risk mitigation and resilience-building measures in the context of climate change, Disaster risk reduction, etc;

● Responsiveness within the humanitarian–development–peace nexus;

● Strategic adjustments required for 2026–2028 based on possible scenario or foresight planning;

● Results and lessons learned from External Communication, Branding/ outreach and Advocacy

● Readiness to inform the next CPD cycle.

Key tasks

1. Inception and Desk Review

During the inception phase, the Consultant will undertake a comprehensive desk review and methodological refinement. This will include:

● Reviewing key strategic and programmatic documents, including the CPD9, Integrated Results and Resources Framework (IRRF), annual work plans, annual and financial reports, UNSDCF, national development plans, and relevant analytical studies;

● Developing a detailed evaluation matrix aligned to the agreed evaluation questions;

● Defining clear judgment criteria, indicators, and research questions to guide qualitative and quantitative data collection;

● Designing the mixed-methods approach, including document review, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and quantitative analysis where applicable;

● Developing data collection tools and a sampling strategy;

● Presenting the refined methodology for UNFPA review and approval through the Inception Report.

2. Data Collection and Stakeholder Consultations

The evaluation will employ multiple data collection methods to ensure robust evidence and triangulation. Activities will include:

● Comprehensive document review (including annual reports, donor reports, any other documents produced by the office);

● Quantitative review of monitoring data and IRRF indicators;

● Key informant interviews and/or focus group discussions with: o Government counterparts (e.g., Ministry of Health, Ministry of Planning, INE); o Civil society organizations; o UN agencies and development partners (including donors and International Finance Institutions (IFIs); o Implementing partners and beneficiaries; o UNFPA staff; o Private sector, academics, and others.

● If necessary, the Consultant may use an online survey in lieu of meetings with stakeholders.

● Field visits to selected programme sites (if applicable) to collect data on the implementation and beneficiary perspectives;

3. Data Analysis

The Consultant will conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis, including:

● Systematic triangulation of evidence from multiple sources;

● Assessment of progress against IRRF indicators and CPD targets;

● Identification of UNFPA’s contribution pathways towards collective results achieved;

● Examination of equity, gender and “leave no one behind” dimensions;

● Clear differentiation between findings, conclusions andrecommendations;

● Transparent documentation of limitations and assumptions.

● Disaggregation analysis to assess equity dimensions and reach of

interventions.

4. Organization of a Strategic Reflection Moment

To strengthen credibility and utilization, the Consultant will:

● Present preliminary findings in the Strategic Reflection Moment (joint workshop between the CO and partners/ stakeholders)

● Help facilitate structured discussion and co-creation of strategies, recommendations, and next steps.

● Prepare and submit minutes/ report of the meeting.

● Incorporate feedback into the final report

● Develop a prioritized, actionable recommendation matrix.

5. Final Reporting

The Consultant will prepare a comprehensive MTR report that includes:

● Evidence-based findings and conclusions;

● Lessons learned and good practices;

● Strategic and operational recommendations aligned to the next phase of CPD9 implementation;

● Forward-looking insights to inform alignment with the new 2026–2029 UNFPA Strategic Plan’s four transformative results, outputs, and strategies.

Cross-Cutting Evaluation Principles

Throughout all stages of the MTR, the Consultant will apply a set of cross-cutting principles consistent with UNFPA evaluation standards and reflective of the strategic accelerators underpinning the Angola Country Programme. These include:

● Integrating human rights, gender-responsive programming, and results-based management (RBM) principles in the design, data collection, analysis, and reporting processes.

● Applying an equity and “leaving no one behind” (LNOB) lens, ensuring particular attention to populations furthest left behind.

● Ensuring adherence to ethical standards in data collection, including informing all beneficiaries and interviewees of the purpose of the assessment and guaranteeing confidentiality and voluntary participation.

● Maintaining independence, impartiality, and methodological rigor throughout the review process.

● Emphasizing utilization and forward-looking strategic learning, ensuring that findings and recommendations are practical and relevant for programme adaptation and future planning.

Deliverables

The Consultant will deliver the following outputs:

1. Inception Report

o Detailed methodology, evaluation matrix, data collection tools, work plan, and timeline.

2. Preliminary Findings Presentation

o PowerPoint presentation summarizing key emerging findings and recommendations.

3. Draft Mid-Term Review Report

o Structured according to UNFPA evaluation standards.

4. Final Mid-Term Review Report o Incorporating stakeholder feedback; o Including executive summary, conclusions, recommendations, lessons learned, and strategic recalibration options.

5. Other deliverables: o The Consultant will submit all data collected during the

assignment, including interview notes, analytical materials, and mission/trip reports, where applicable.

All reports shall be submitted electronically in English.
 

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Demography, Public Health,
Economics, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Statistics, or related field
of Social science.

Knowledge and Experience: 

● At least 10 years of experience in programme evaluation or strategic reviews, or operational research in international development, preferably in the areas of UNFPA’s mandate;
● Technical capacity to design and conduct a mixed-method study (including analysis and triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data) is a must.
● Demonstrated experience evaluating or conducting mid-term reviews of UNFPA or other UN Country Programmes/Cooperation Frameworks, or comparable development programmes and projects;
● Strong understanding of SRHR, maternal health/ family planning, demographic dividend, and population dynamics, or any other areas related to ICPD.
● Familiarity with Results-Based Management (RBM) and UN IRRF frameworks;
● Experience in fragile or HDP contexts;
● Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
  

Languages: 

• Fluency in English required.
  Portuguese proficiency is a strong asset.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

● Exemplifying integrity
● Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
● Embracing diversity
● Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

● Achieving results
● Being accountable
● Analytical and strategic thinking
● Working in teams
● Communication skills

Functional Competencies:

• Evaluation design and methodology
•  Strategic analysis
•  Stakeholder engagement
• Report writing and presentation

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.