Cooperation Framework Mid-Term Review Consultant

The consultant will conduct a mid-term review of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024–2028 in Lesotho, assessing progress, relevance, coordination mechanisms, and providing actionable recommendations for adaptive programming for 2026–2028. The role involves evaluating UNCT coordination, Theory of Change validity, and the impact of evolving national and global shifts on the Cooperation Framework.

Responsibilities

• Assess progress against Cooperation Framework outcomes and outputs across all three pillars.
• Evaluate the continued relevance of the Cooperation Framework in light of emerging national and global shifts.
• Examine the coherence, efficiency, and effectiveness of UNCT inter-agency coordination mechanisms and collective accountability systems such as joint planning, joint programming and monitoring frameworks.
• Determine whether the Theory of Change remains valid given evolving risks, including political instability, climate impacts, and food system pressures.
• Assess the current UNCT coordination architecture and related implications on normative support, policy engagement, system-wide coordination functions and determine whether adjustments are warranted.
• Provide actionable recommendations for adaptive programming for 2026–2028, including opportunities for joint programmes.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Development Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), or a related field such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or Project Management is required.
• A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Minimum 7 years of experience with UN programmatic reviews, analysis and evaluations required.
• Knowledge of LDC contexts is desirable.
• Experience in complex multi-agency evaluations is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in gender-responsive evaluation methodologies; UN Coordination systems and integrated programming approaches is desirable.
• Expertise in governance, food systems, climate, and social sectors is desirable.
• Fluency in both oral and written English is required.

Skills

• Development Studies
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Programmatic Reviews
• Evaluation Methodologies
• Multi-agency Evaluations
• Gender-Responsive Assessment
• UN Coordination Systems
• Integrated Programming
• Theory of Change
• Adaptive Programming Strategies
• Governance Assessment
• Food Systems
• Climate Sector Knowledge
• Social Sector Knowledge
• UN Sustainable Development Framework
• Progress Assessment
• Coordination Mechanisms Evaluation

Languages

English