Programme - level evaluation

Result of Service

The consultant will deliver independent, high-quality, and evidence-based assessments of all eligible project proposals, producing well‑justified scores and recommendations that support the SPECA MPTF Steering Committee in making informed, transparent, and objective funding decisions, while contributing to the consistency and credibility of the overall proposal assessment process.

Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

30 days

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the SPECA MPTF Support Team, the selected expert will conduct an independent assessment of eligible project proposals submitted under the 2026 First Call for Proposals. The assessment will be carried out in accordance with the SPECA MPTF Terms of Reference, Funding Strategy, 2026 Call for Proposals, Project Document Template with guidelines and the Assessment and Scoring Sheet, which contains ten scored sections totaling 100 points. Based on the assessment, the expert will prepare and submit an Assessment Report using the Project Proposals Assessment Template, providing detailed scores, justifications, and recommendations for each proposal reviewed. The assessment shall be objective, evidence-based, and consistent with the SPECA MPTF Funding Strategy, the Terms of Reference of the Fund, and the criteria and thresholds set out in the Call for Proposals. The findings will directly inform the Steering Committee’s decision on which projects to approve, conditionally approve, or reject. The individual expert assessment process is conducted independently and in parallel with an AI-assisted assessment track. Expert will not have access to the AI-generated assessments at any stage of their individual review. This separation is intentional and designed to preserve the independence and integrity of the human expert assessments. The expert will support the SPECA MPTF Support Team in the drafting of the Consolidated Assessment Report. The consultant will undertake the following tasks: Independently assess all eligible project proposals under the SPECA MPTF 2026 Call for Proposals. Apply the SPECA MPTF assessment and scoring framework to evaluate proposals against all criteria with objective, evidence-based judgment. Prepare individual assessment reports for each assessed project proposal using relevant SPECA MPTF Templates, provide specific, evidence-based and clear justification for the score awarded and where appropriate provide concrete, actionable recommendations for improvement. Contribute to the Consolidated Assessment Report by comparing human and AI assessments and reconciling differences. Support final scoring and recommendations, ensuring human judgment prevails where AI outputs are inadequate. Identify key strengths, weaknesses, and any disqualifying issues in proposals. Define clear, actionable conditions for proposals recommended for conditional approval. Present findings to the Steering Committee and respond to technical queries. Maintain confidentiality, impartiality, and compliance with conflict-of-interest requirements. Deliver all outputs on time and in required formats (English/Russian, Word/Excel).

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced Degree in Project management, international development, economics, transport and trade, environmental science, energy, urban planning, regional studies, public policy, law, or a related discipline. 10 years of relevant experience is required. Demonstrated expertise in evaluating development projects funded by the UN system, multilateral development banks, or similar organizations. Strong knowledge of results-based management, Theory of Change, and SMART indicators. Experience in regional or multi-country programmes, gender mainstreaming, LNOB principles, and environmental and climate safeguards. Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to assess and reconcile information from multiple sources.

Languages

Fluency in 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.