International Consultant: Evaluation Team Leader

The Position:

UNFPA has been working in Thailand since 1971 to enhance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), promote gender equality, empower young people, and strengthen the generation and use of population data for development. Currently, UNFPA Thailand is implementing its 12th Country Programme (2022-2026) in partnership with the Government of Thailand. 

In line with the 2024 UNFPA Evaluation Policy, country programme evaluations (CPEs) are encouraged for each programme cycle. As part of this commitment to evidence-based programming and accountability, UNFPA Thailand will undertake a country programme evaluation (CPE) in 2025 to provide an independent assessment of the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, and sustainability of its 12th Country Programme. The evaluation will analyze key enabling and constraining factors influencing programme implementation and outcomes while generating actionable recommendations to inform the design of the next country programme cycle.
The CPE will be managed by the Country Programme Evaluation Manager at UNFPA Thailand, with strategic guidance from an Evaluation Reference Group (ERG). A team of independent external evaluators will conduct the evaluation in accordance with UNFPA’s CPE guidelines.

The Evaluation Team Leader will hold the overall responsibility for the design and implementation of the evaluation. S/he will be responsible for the production and timely submission of all expected deliverables in line with the ToR. S/he will lead and coordinate the work of the evaluation team and ensure the quality of all evaluation deliverables at all stages of the process. The CPE manager will provide methodological guidance to the evaluation team in developing the design report, in particular, but not limited to, defining the evaluation approach, methodology and work plan, and the agenda for the field phase. S/he will lead the drafting and presentation of the design report and the draft and final evaluation report, and play a leading role in meetings with the ERG and the CO. The team leader will also be responsible for communication with the CPE manager. Beyond her/his responsibilities as team leader, the evaluation team leader will serve as technical expert for one of the thematic areas of the country programme described below.

 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

 

Job Purpose:

The Evaluation Team Leader will hold the overall responsibility for the design and implementation of the Country Programme Evaluation (CPE). S/he will ensure the quality, coherence, and timely submission of all evaluation deliverables in line with the CPE Terms of Reference (ToR). S/he will lead and coordinate the evaluation team, including working closely with the National Evaluator on Data and Population Dynamics and the Young and Emerging Evaluator (YEE) to ensure a robust, inclusive, and capacity-building approach.

You would be responsible for:

1. Leadership and Coordination
•    Lead the design, planning, and execution of the CPE.
•    Oversee and coordinate the evaluation team, ensuring clear roles, effective communication, and collaboration.
•    Ensure that evaluation deliverables (design report, draft and final evaluation reports) meet UNFPA quality standards and are submitted on time.
•    Work closely with the CPE Manager, who provides methodological guidance on the evaluation design, approach, and work plan.
•    Foster a collaborative working environment, ensuring knowledge sharing and capacity building within the team.

2. Design and Methodology Development
•    Lead the drafting and presentation of the Design Report, defining the evaluation approach, methodology, work plan, and agenda for the field phase in consultation with the CPE Manager.
•    Ensure that the evaluation approach adheres to UNFPA Evaluation Guidelines and best practices in evaluation methodology.
•    Integrate both qualitative and quantitative methods for robust analysis and triangulation of findings.

3. Field Phase and Data Collection
•    Oversee the implementation of field data collection, ensuring alignment with the evaluation methodology.
•    Guide and support the evaluation team in conducting interviews, focus groups, surveys, and site visits.
•    Ensure ethical and participatory data collection approaches, particularly when engaging with vulnerable populations.
•    Work closely with the National Evaluator on Data and Population Dynamics to ensure demographic and statistical accuracy in evaluation findings.

4. Analysis, Reporting, and Quality Assurance
•    Lead the drafting of the draft and final evaluation reports, ensuring clarity, depth, and evidence-based conclusions.
•    Ensure consistency and accuracy in data interpretation and findings.
•    Coordinate with team members, including the National Evaluator and Young and Emerging Evaluator, to integrate their thematic expertise into the final report.
•    Maintain regular communication with the CPE Manager for guidance and feedback.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Presentation of Findings
•    Present key evaluation findings to the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG), Country Office (CO), and key stakeholders.
•    Lead discussions on evaluation results, implications, and recommendations to ensure their relevance for policy and programme improvements.
•    Facilitate stakeholder engagement throughout the evaluation process to enhance ownership and use of findings.

6. Thematic and Evaluation Expertise
•    Beyond leading the evaluation, the Evaluation Team Leader will provide technical expertise in one of the following areas:
•    Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Expertise in maternal health, family planning, HIV/STI prevention, and integrated SRHR services.
•    Adolescents and Youth: Expertise in youth-friendly SRHR services, comprehensive sexuality education, adolescent pregnancy prevention, and youth participation.
•    Gender Equality and GBV: Expertise in gender equality, sexual and reproductive rights, women's empowerment, gender-based violence (GBV), and engaging men and boys.

Evaluation Methodology and Design: Expertise in evaluation theories, mixed-methods approaches, impact assessment, and utilization-focused evaluations to ensure a high-quality, evidence-based evaluation process.
The Team Leader's expertise will contribute to the evaluation design, data collection, and analysis, ensuring rigorous assessment in their area of focus.

Duration and working schedule: 45 days during 1 April  2025 to 30 November 2025.

Place where services are to be delivered: The Evaluation Team Leader is expected to work remotely.  

Supervisory arrangements: The Evaluation Team Leader will report to the Head of Office, UNFPA Thailand and will work closely with the CPE Manager.

Expected travel: 1 trip to Bangkok and Chiang Mai for the fieldwork (data collection) phase.
 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, demography or population studies, statistics, development studies or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

•    At least 7 years of experience conducting or managing assessments in international development.
•    Extensive experience in leading complex evaluations commissioned by United Nations organizations and/or other international organizations and NGOs.
•    Demonstrated expertise in one of the thematic areas of the country programme covered by the evaluation. 
•    In-depth knowledge of theory-based evaluation approaches and ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and to uphold high quality standards for evaluation as defined by UNFPA and UNEG.
•    Ability to ensure ethics and integrity of the evaluation process, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm.
•    Ability to consistently integrate human rights and gender perspectives in all phases of the evaluation process.
•    Excellent management and leadership skills to coordinate the evaluation team. Strong ability to share technical evaluation skills and knowledge.
•    Ability to supervise a young and emerging evaluator, create an enabling environment for her/his meaningful participation in the work of the evaluation team, and provide guidance and support required to develop her/his capacity.
•    Experience with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
•    Excellent ability to analyze and synthesize large volumes of data and information from diverse sources.
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and spoken).
•    Work experience in/good knowledge of the region and Thailand's national development contexts

Languages: 

Fluent in written and spoken English

 

Compensation and Benefits: 

This position offers an attractive consultant fees, payment made against deliverables-based. 

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more. 

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.