Specifically, the consultant will be required to complete the following tasks: Inception phase:

Preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff.

Prepare the review framework in line with UNEP's evaluation guidelines.

Identify stakeholders.

Develop the interview/questions matrix.

Plan the review schedule.

Prepare the Inception Report. Data collection and analysis phase of the review, including: Conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners and project stakeholders.

Regularly report back to the Task Manager on progress and inform of any possible problems or issues encountered. Reporting phase, including: Draft the Review Report, ensuring that the review report is complete, coherent and consistent with the Task Manager guidelines both in substance and style.

Liaise with the Task Manager on comments received and finalize the Review Report, ensuring that comments are considered until approved by the Task Manager.

Prepare a Response to Comments annex for the main report, listing those comments not accepted indicating the reason for the rejection; and Managing relations, including:

Maintain a positive relationship with stakeholders, ensuring that the review process is as participatory as possible but at the same time maintains its independence.

Communicate in a timely manner with the Task Manager on any issues requiring its attention and intervention.

Qualifications/special skills

A Masters or equivalent in environmental sciences, international development or other relevant political or social sciences area is required.

Minimum of 7 years of technical / evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluating large, regional or global programmes and using a Theory of Change approach; and a good/broad understanding of [natural resource management] is desired. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Hands-on experience in managing national and international natural resources projects, in particular concerning biodiversity, natural resources management, protected area management, environmental information, management, capacity building etc. is highly desirable. - Working experience in an international environment is desirable.

Experience in the project target area in Congo is an asset.