Evaluation Consultant for Terminal Evaluation of UNEP/GEF project “Creation of additional biosafety capacities that lead to a full implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in Cuba

Result of Service

The Evaluation Team will submit a concise evaluation report. Actual duration of the assignment is spread over a period of 8 months to be delivered as follows: Inception Report (30%) Draft report (40%) Final Evaluation Report (30%)

Work Location

Home based with field visits

Expected duration

8 months

Duties and Responsibilities

ORGANIZATION SETTING The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. This consultancy is located at Headquarters in the Evaluation Office which reports directly to the Executive Director. The consultant reports to the Evaluation Manager and the Director of the Evaluation Office. THE PROJECT The use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) presents both opportunities and risks. While LMOs can significantly benefit sectors like agriculture, bioremediation, and climate change adaptation, ensuring their safe application is critical to avoid adverse effects on human health and the environment. Cuba faces specific threats due to its increasing reliance on genetically modified grain imports, mainly maize and soybeans, which are sourced from countries with high production of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)-based products. The lack of advanced laboratories and comprehensive monitoring systems limits Cuba's ability to detect and respond effectively to potential risks from LMOs. Key barriers include insufficient detection and monitoring capacity for LMOs. To address these challenges, the UNEP/GEF project, “Creation of additional biosafety capacities that lead to a full implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in Cuba (GEF ID: 9860)”, was designed and implemented in line with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The project objective was to further complete the process of implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) through the creation of additional capacities in the areas of monitoring, detection and identification, and socioeconomic considerations through: 1. Creation of Necessary Capacities for the Identification and Detection of LMOs: This component aimed to strengthen two national laboratories (CICDC and CENSA) through procurement of modern equipment, staff training, and development of protocols for LMO detection. 2. Creation of Necessary Capacities for Monitoring and Surveillance of LMOs: To address the limited national capacity for monitoring LMOs both from domestic production and imports, the project aimed to establish a national monitoring and surveillance system, involving customs and biosafety officers. 3. Identification of Socio-Economic Considerations of importance for Cuba arising from the impact of LMOs: The project aimed to support studies to identify socio-economic impacts of LMOs relevant to Cuba, moving beyond technical risk assessment in decision-making. THE EVALUATION In line with the UNEP Evaluation Policy and the UNEP Programme and Project Management Manual, the Terminal Evaluation is undertaken at operational completion of the project to assess project performance (in terms of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency), and determine outcomes and impacts (actual and potential) stemming from the project, including their sustainability. The Evaluation has two primary purposes: (i) to provide evidence of results to meet accountability requirements, and (ii) to promote operational improvement, learning and knowledge sharing through results and lessons learned among UNEP and the main project partners. Therefore, the Evaluation will identify lessons of operational relevance for future project formulation and implementation, especially where a second phase of the project is being considered. Recommendations relevant to the whole house may also be identified during the evaluation process. THE EVALUATION TEAM For this Evaluation, the Evaluation Team will consist of an Evaluation Consultant who will work under the overall responsibility of the Evaluation Office represented by an Evaluation Manager in consultation with the UNEP Task Manager, Fund Management Officer and the Subprogramme Coordinator. Specific responsibilities for the Evaluation Consultant: In close consultation with the Evaluation Manager, the Evaluation Consultant will be responsible for the overall management of the Evaluation and timely provision of its outputs. More specifically: 1. Inception phase of the Evaluation, including: • preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff; • draft the reconstructed Theory of Change of the project; • prepare the evaluation framework; • develop the desk review and interview protocols; • draft the survey protocols (if relevant); • develop and present criteria for country and/or site selection for the evaluation mission; • plan the evaluation schedule; • prepare the Inception Report, incorporating comments until approved by the Evaluation Manager. 2. Data collection and analysis phase of the Evaluation, including: • conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners, and project stakeholders, • where appropriate and agreed) conduct an evaluation mission(s) to selected countries, visit the project locations, interview project partners and stakeholders, including a good representation of local communities. Ensure independence of the Evaluation and confidentiality of evaluation interviews. • regularly report back to the Evaluation Manager on progress and inform of any possible problems or issues encountered and; • keep the Project/Task Manager informed of the evaluation progress. 3. Reporting phase, including: • draft the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring that the evaluation report is complete, coherent and consistent with the Evaluation Manager guidelines both in substance and style; • liaise with the Evaluation Manager on comments received and finalize the Main Evaluation Report, ensuring that comments are taken into account until approved by the Evaluation Manager; • prepare a Response to Comments annex for the main report, listing those comments not accepted by the Evaluation Consultant and indicating the reason for the rejection; and; • (where agreed with the Evaluation Manager) prepare an Evaluation Brief (2-page summary of the evaluand and the key evaluation findings and lessons). 4. Managing relations, including: • maintain a positive relationship with evaluation stakeholders, ensuring that the evaluation process is as participatory as possible but at the same time maintains its independence; • communicate in a timely manner with the Evaluation Manager on any issues requiring attention and intervention. The Evaluation Consultant shall have had no prior involvement in the formulation or implementation of the project and will be independent from the participating institutions. The consultant will sign the Evaluation Consultant Code of Conduct Agreement Form. The Evaluation Consultant will be selected and recruited by the UNEP Evaluation Office through a consultancy contract. Comprehensive terms of reference will be shared with the consultant separately.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, international development or other relevant political or social sciences area is required. A first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the same areas in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience of technical / evaluation experience preferably including evaluating large, regional or global programmes and using a Theory of Change approach is required. A good/broad understanding of Biosafety and related areas is desirable. Knowledge of the UN system and specifically the work of UNEP is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in English and in Spanish is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.