Scope of Work:

The consultant will report to UNICEF Afghanistan’s Social Policy, Evaluation, Analytics and Research (SPEAR) Section. The section is responsible for being a knowledge hub about children through research, evidence, evaluations, and an entry point for integrated social protection services for the most vulnerable children in Afghanistan. The key areas of work include social and economic policy analysis, child poverty, data, research and evaluations, financing for social services for children and social protection systems, including humanitarian cash transfers for the most vulnerable children.

The evaluation and research portfolio is conducting and managing regular formative, process, summative, strategic, and impact evaluations, alongside other evaluative exercises. Specifically, the portfolio is aimed at producing rigorous evidence at impact, outcome, and output levels on different thematic and organizational areas. In addition, the team focuses on supporting high quality research for all sectors, including ensuring research ethics and standards.

The SPEAR Section is looking for a national consultant to ensure that specific activities are implemented in the evaluation and research portfolio. The consultancy will report to the Evaluation and Research Specialist.

The consultancy is expected to:

• Ensure the implementation of communication and dissemination plans for summative evaluation of joint UNICEF-WHO polio and child protection programme, summative evaluation of ECHO-funded WASH programme, and evaluation of community-based nutrition programme.
• Provide the administrative and technical review of the baseline assessment of impact evaluation of UNICEF Afghanistan mother and child cash transfer (MCCT) programme.
• Provide high-quality inputs and administrative support to planned evaluations under the discussion by ensuring that the relevant programme partners participate in the formulation of the Evaluation Terms of Refence. Ensure the recruitment of qualified teams of consultants/firms, compilation of documentation and setting up of key informant interviews and other administrative and coordination efforts. Compile, review and provide technical comments on the key evaluation deliverables, such as inception report, preliminary findings, draft and final evaluation reports.
• Implement the monthly updates of the integrated monitoring, evaluation, and research plan (IMERP) and UNICEF’s EISI system based on the evaluation implementation progress of key activities and the management response.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A University Degree in University Degree in Social Sciences, Evaluation, Statistics, or similar fields.
• Two years of relevant professional work experience in evaluation, research, and monitoring activities. Field work experience is an asset.
• Excellent communications skills, verbal and written.

• Ability to work under pressure in fast paced environment.
• Knowledge of evaluation and research designs, types, methodologies, and data collection tools.
• Technical knowledge/expertise in data collection.
• Technical knowledge/expertise in evaluation process management, follow-up on recommendations and dissemination of evaluation results.
• Capacity to analyze and synthesize data and information.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness.
• Fluency in English and knowledge of Dari and Pashto.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is considered as an asset.