JOB DESCRIPTION

Result of Service

The expected result of the service is to identify best practice and provide recommendations to the UNCT in North Macedonia to ensure sustainability in providing capacity building to the country. The consultant will work under the supervision of the RCO and in close coordination with the UNCT and MEL Group. Key responsibilities include: 1. Inception Phase: Develop and submit an inception report detailing the proposed methodology, data collection tools (e.g., surveys, interview guides), analytical framework, and a detailed work plan for the assignment. 2. Mapping and Desk Review: Conduct a comprehensive mapping and desk review of all capacity building interventions by UN agencies under the Cooperation Framework 2021-2025, documenting scope, thematic areas, target beneficiaries, and available evaluation data. Determine the criteria to be used to assess sustainability on capacity building support. 3. Collecting of data and evidence: Conduct targeted interviews, focus group discussions, and/or surveys with UN agencies, government counterparts, and other relevant stakeholders to gather qualitative and quantitative data on outcomes, effectiveness, and sustainability. 4. Analysis and Identification of Good Practices: Analyze collected data to identify successful models, innovative approaches, and positive outliers that have demonstrated significant impact, sustainability, and potential for replication. 5. Recommendations Formulation: Develop actionable, evidence-based recommendations and a check list for improving the design, delivery, and results-based management of capacity building interventions in the next Cooperation Framework (2026-2030). 6. Reporting and Presentation: Prepare a comprehensive draft and final report of findings, and deliver a presentation to the RCO and UNCT to validate findings and discuss recommendations. The consultant will complete meetings with relevant stakeholders and partners engaged or intending to engage on capacity building interventions as well as desk research / survey analysis of the evaluations of capacity building activities, in close coordination with the Head of RCO and RCO Data Specialist. The consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of capacity building activities implemented by UN agencies under the 2021–2025 Cooperation Framework (CF), including mapping of interventions, thematic areas, years and target beneficiaries.
• Design and propose a research methodology for assessing the effectiveness and sustainability of capacity building interventions, including data collection tools and analysis framework. This should also include clear definition of the success criteria, and how the results are measured.
• Conduct at least 6-7 site visits for meetings/ interviews (online and in person) and/or surveys with UN agencies and relevant stakeholders to gather qualitative and quantitative data on capacity building outcomes.
• Identify and document successful models, approaches, and practices that led to measurable impact, sustainability, or systemic change.
• Understanding and highlighting positive outliers—cases where capacity building efforts exceeded expectations, showed impact and results as well as demonstrated innovation and replicability.
• Develop actionable recommendations for improving the design, implementation, and monitoring of capacity building in the next CF cycle (2026–2030). These recommendations shall be in structure and format that is aligned with UN practices as well as easily applicable to the work of the agencies.
• Prepare a final report and one presentation slide decks: summarizing findings and recommendations. Output/Work Assignments
• Inception Report with methodology and work plan (Due: 30 October 2025) – 10% of contract value
• Draft Report with preliminary findings (Due: 15 November 2025) – 30% of contract value
• Final Report and one presentation slide deck submitted and approved (Due: 15 December 2025) – 60% of contract value

Work Location

Skopje

Expected duration

26 October – 30 December 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: The management response to the final evaluation of the Cooperation Framework 2021-2025 includes several recommendations for the UN to implement during the coming years. One of the recommendations refers to the need to ensure sustainability in the assistance the UN provides to the country int the form of capacity building. In this line, The UN Country Team (UNCT) has agreed to recruit an individual consultant to provide a complete analysis of the capacity building interventions, identify good practices among the UN agencies that ensure sustainability of the investments and positive outcomes in the long term. The recommendations derived from this analysis will allow the UNCT to ensure better results in the next UN Cooperation Framework 2026-2030. With regards to the recruiting organization, the Resident Coordinator system in North Macedonia brings together the different United Nations (UN) agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. The Resident Coordinator system encompasses all organizations of the UN system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in North Macedonia. Working closely with the national government, the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team (UNCT) advocate for the interests and mandates of the UN system while drawing on the support and guidance of the entire UN family. The Resident Coordinator (RC) is supported by a team of professionals in the Resident Coordination Office (RCO) organized around the key functions:

• Oversight of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF);
• Support to national and UN coordination and aid effectiveness.
• External communication and advocacy on system-wide issues such as human rights and gender equality;
• Representation of the UN development system and support to UN agencies;
• Development and facilitation of shared operational support services; and
• Joint resource mobilization and fund management.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, international development, economics, or a related field is required. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in research, evaluation, and analysis of development programmes is required. Proven experience in conducting assessments or evaluations of capacity development interventions is required. Prior experience with UN programming, results-based management (RBM), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is desirable. Strong proficiency in standard software applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, online forms) and collaborative platforms (e.g., SharePoint) is required.

Languages

Fluency in English and Macedonian is required. Knowledge of Albanian is desired.

Additional Information

If the selected individual consultant is residing in North Macedonia, sporadic meetings in the RCO office in Skopje will be desired. We estimate 3 one-day possible trips within North Macedonia.

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.