Midterm Review Expert - GEF Enhancing Land Management and Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience for Integrated Landscape Restoration and Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Carriacou, Grenada

Result of Service

Mid-Term Review Report of the project “GEF Enhancing Land Management and Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience for Integrated Landscape Restoration and Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Carriacou, Grenada (Grenada SLM)”

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

4 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. 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. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. UNEP’s GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit within the Biodiversity and Land Branch fulfils the implementing agency role for UNEP on the Biodiversity and Land Degradation Focal Areas projects supported through Global Environment Facility (GEF) funds. The Unit currently oversees over 200 projects globally. UNEP is currently implementing the project “Enhancing Land Management and Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience for Integrated Landscape Restoration and Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Carriacou, Grenada” to effectively address land degradation in Carriacou, through demonstration and application of ecosystems-based landscape restoration, sustainable land management and good agricultural practices, using community participatory approaches that expands diversification and sustainability of livelihoods options. The project is a medium-sized initiative with a GEF grant of USD 863,242 and has two components: 1.Community-Based Landscape Rehabilitation and Protection using EbA approaches 2.Strengthening landscape governance for application of SLM and EbA tools The GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit seeks to recruit a consultant to conduct the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Grenada SLM Project to analyse whether the project is on track, what problems or challenges the project is encountering, and what corrective actions are required. The MTR will assess project performance to date (in terms of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency) and determine the likelihood of the project achieving its intended outcomes and supporting their sustainability. This consultancy post is in UNEP/Ecosystems Division/GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit. Specifically, the consultant will be required to complete the following tasks: Inception phase: •Conduct preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff; •Prepare the review framework in line with UNEP's evaluation guidelines; •Identify stakeholders; •Develop the interview/questions matrix; •Plan the review schedule; •Prepare the Inception Report; Data collection and analysis phase of the Main Review: •Conduct further desk review, data analysis and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, partners and stakeholders; •Undertake field assessment mission of approximately 7 days, with possible visits to project sites; •Regularly report to the Task Manager on progress and inform them of any potential problems or issues encountered; Reporting phase: •Draft the Main Review Report, ensuring that the review report is complete, coherent and consistent with the TOR and Task Manager guidelines in both substance and style; •Liaise with the Task Manager on comments received (including from the UNEP Evaluation Office) and finalize the Review Report, ensuring that comments are addressed until approval is granted; •Prepare a Response to Comments annex for the main report, listing any comments not accepted and providing reasons for their rejection; Managing relations: •Maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring the review process is as participatory as possible while preserving independence; •Communicate promptly with the Task Manager on any issues requiring attention or intervention. Deliverables The consultant will prepare the following documents in consultation and collaboration with the Project Team and in line with the detailed Terms of Reference for the Review and the guidance package provided by the UNEP Evaluation Office: •Inception Report: Including an assessment of the project, stakeholder analysis, review framework, and a tentative review schedule. •Preliminary Findings Note: Typically presented as a PowerPoint, sharing preliminary findings to support the team participation, verify emerging findings and ensure all information sources have been accessed. •Draft and Final Review Reports: Including an executive summary (stand-alone), detailed analysis of findings organized by review criteria and supported by evidence, lessons learned, recommendations, and an annotated ratings table. The consultancy will be home-based with possible field visits. Reporting lines: The review consultant will work under the overall guidance of the GEF Task Manager, based in Panama City and will report directly to the Chief of the Unit, based in Nairobi.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced degree in environmental sciences, international development or other relevant political or social sciences area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in the required field may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. At least seven (7) years of technical/evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluating large, regional, or global programs and using a Theory of Change approach. A good understanding of the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and national implementation context is desirable. Working knowledge of the UN system and specifically the work of UNEP is an added advantage. Professional work experience in Latin America and the Caribbean region on natural resource management and biodiversity conservation is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English 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.