UNESCO Seeks Consulting Firms for Sustainable Tourism Project Evaluation in Jordan | Deadline: 13 Aug 2026

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is inviting registered consulting companies to submit proposals for the Final Evaluation of the Project “Local Communities and Sustainable Tourism in Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan.” Funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the project supports the conservation of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites while strengthening the role of local communities in sustainable tourism and empowering women-led businesses.

This consultancy is ideal for firms specializing in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), sustainable tourism, cultural heritage conservation, community development, and international development. Proposals must be submitted by 6 August 2026, while the consultancy listing closes on 13 August 2026.

About the Project

UNESCO’s project focuses on preserving the globally renowned Petra and Wadi Rum World Heritage Sites through sustainable tourism and community engagement. By supporting local communities and promoting women-led enterprises, the initiative aims to ensure that tourism contributes to long-term conservation while creating economic opportunities for residents.

As the project concludes, UNESCO seeks an independent evaluation to assess its achievements, measure its impact, and generate recommendations that will inform future heritage conservation and sustainable tourism programmes.

Purpose of the Evaluation

The selected consulting company will conduct a comprehensive final evaluation using the internationally recognized OECD-DAC evaluation criteria.

The evaluation will:

• Assess the project’s overall performance and achievements.
• Measure its contribution to sustainable tourism and heritage conservation.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement and women’s economic empowerment activities.
• Identify strengths, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for future UNESCO programming.

The findings will help UNESCO strengthen future projects supporting cultural heritage and sustainable development.

Scope of Work

The successful consulting company will carry out an independent assessment of the project’s implementation and outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

Evaluate Project Performance

The evaluation will assess the project against the OECD-DAC criteria:

• Relevance
• Effectiveness
• Efficiency
• Impact
• Sustainability
• Coherence

Collect and Analyse Evidence

The consultancy is expected to include:

• Review of project documentation.
• Analysis of project performance and results.
• Consultations with stakeholders and beneficiaries.
• Assessment of community participation and ownership.
• Evaluation of sustainable tourism outcomes.
• Documentation of lessons learned and best practices.

Expected Deliverables

The selected consulting company will produce:

• A comprehensive Final Evaluation Report.
• Evidence-based findings and conclusions.
• Assessment using OECD-DAC evaluation criteria.
• Practical recommendations for future programming.
• Lessons learned to strengthen heritage conservation and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Eligibility Requirements

Only registered consulting companies are eligible to apply.

Applications from individual consultants or unregistered groups will not be considered.

Companies should demonstrate experience in:

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).
• Sustainable tourism.
• Cultural heritage conservation.
• Community development.
• International development projects.
• OECD-DAC evaluation methodologies.

Experience evaluating donor-funded or UN-supported programmes will be an advantage.

Why This Consultancy Matters

Petra and Wadi Rum are among the world’s most treasured cultural and natural heritage sites. Protecting these destinations while ensuring local communities benefit from tourism is essential for sustainable development.

This evaluation will help UNESCO understand the project’s long-term impact, identify successful approaches, and improve future initiatives that promote heritage conservation, inclusive tourism, and community empowerment.

How to Apply

Interested registered consulting companies should submit their proposals directly to UNESCO.

Application deadline: 6 August 2026

Submit proposals to:

Ms. Salaam Bannoura
Evaluation Manager
📧 s.bannoura@unesco.org

Copy:

Mr. Osama Alkebsi
IOS Evaluation Representative
oa.alkebsi@unesco.org

Terms of Reference

The full Terms of Reference can be accessed HERE

This consultancy offers an excellent opportunity for experienced evaluation firms to contribute to UNESCO’s efforts to strengthen sustainable tourism, protect globally significant cultural heritage, and enhance community-led conservation in Jordan.

Closing Date: 13 August 2026

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the  organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of  emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.