UN Women is seeking an experienced International Evaluation Consultant for a short-term, home-based assignment. This consultancy offers a unique opportunity to contribute to gender equality and humanitarian efforts, particularly in one of the world’s most complex contexts—Afghanistan.
The role spans 40 working days over two months and involves both remote work and field missions, making it ideal for seasoned evaluation professionals with experience in fragile settings.
About UN Women and the Afghanistan Context
UN Women works globally to eliminate discrimination against women and girls while promoting gender equality and empowerment. In Afghanistan, the organization plays a critical role in addressing the challenges faced by women and girls, including limited access to education, employment, and public participation.
Operating from Kabul with multiple sub-offices, UN Women Afghanistan focuses on key areas such as:
- Women’s civil society support
- Economic empowerment
- Policy and research
- Humanitarian response and coordination
- Localization and integrated programming
A central initiative supporting this work is the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA), which funds programs addressing basic human needs while promoting gender equality.
Overview of the Consultancy Role
The International Evaluation Consultant will lead an independent evaluation of programs supporting women-led organizations (WLOs). These organizations play a crucial role in advancing local solutions, improving service delivery, and strengthening community resilience.
The consultant will:
- Lead the design, implementation, and reporting of the evaluation
- Work alongside a national consultant
- Engage with UN Women staff, NGOs, and local stakeholders
- Conduct field visits in key regions of Afghanistan
This role requires strong technical expertise, cultural awareness, and the ability to operate effectively in conflict-affected environments.
Key Responsibilities
The consultant will oversee all phases of the evaluation:
Inception Phase (10 Days)
- Conduct desk reviews of project documents and reports
- Develop evaluation methodology, tools, and frameworks
- Design data collection strategies and ethical protocols
- Facilitate stakeholder consultations and workshops
- Prepare and finalize the inception report
Data Collection & Analysis (20 Days)
- Conduct field visits in Eastern and Western regions
- Carry out interviews with stakeholders and partner organizations
- Facilitate focus group discussions with beneficiaries
- Analyze data and present preliminary findings
Reporting Phase (10 Days)
- Draft a comprehensive evaluation report
- Present findings to stakeholders for validation
- Incorporate feedback and finalize the report
- Ensure compliance with UN Women evaluation standards
Deliverables
The consultant will produce the following outputs:
- Inception Report with methodology and evaluation tools
- Fieldwork Debrief including preliminary findings
- Draft Evaluation Report (up to 50 pages)
- Final Evaluation Report (up to 25 pages) with actionable recommendations
Travel and Work Arrangement
This is a home-based consultancy with required travel to:
- Kabul
- Herat
- Jalalabad
Field visits are essential for engaging directly with women-led organizations and stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
Education
- Master’s degree in social sciences, gender studies, evaluation, or international affairs
- Equivalent experience may substitute for advanced degrees
Experience
- At least 7 years of evaluation experience
- Proven expertise in gender-responsive and human rights-based evaluation methods
- Experience working in conflict or fragile contexts
- Familiarity with UN systems and frameworks (preferred)
- Regional experience in Asia-Pacific (desirable)
Skills
- Strong evaluation design and analytical skills
- Experience with OECD-DAC evaluation criteria
- Stakeholder engagement and participatory methods expertise
- Ability to produce high-quality, standards-compliant reports
Languages
- Fluency in English (required)
- Knowledge of Dari or Pashto (advantageous)
Core Competencies
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Gender sensitivity and inclusivity
- Accountability and problem-solving abilities
- Leadership in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
Why This Role Matters
This consultancy provides an opportunity to directly impact programs that support Afghan women and girls during a critical period. By strengthening evaluation systems and ensuring accountability, the consultant contributes to more effective, inclusive, and sustainable development outcomes.
The role is particularly significant in advancing:
- Gender equality in humanitarian contexts
- Localization and community-led development
- Evidence-based decision-making within UN programming
Application Considerations
Applicants must ensure all sections of their application are fully completed, including education and employment history. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
All selected candidates will undergo thorough background checks and must adhere to UN standards of conduct, including zero tolerance for misconduct or discrimination.
Final Thoughts
The International Evaluation Consultant role with UN Women offers a meaningful opportunity for professionals committed to gender equality and global development. With a blend of strategic analysis, field engagement, and policy impact, this position is ideal for experts looking to make a difference in complex humanitarian settings.
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