Principal Evaluator for Terminal Evaluation of the GCF-UNEP project“ Large-scale Ecosystem-based Adaptation in The Gambia” GCF ID FP011 and SMA ID 34765

Principal Evaluator for Terminal Evaluation of the GCF-UNEP project“ Large-scale Ecosystem-based Adaptation in The Gambia” GCF ID FP011 and SMA ID 34765 UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme Remote | Nairobi CON level Speaks English, French Application deadline: March 23, 2026 Closed Apply Summary by Impactpool The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is seeking a Principal Evaluator for the Terminal Evaluation of the GCF-UNEP project focused on ecosystem-based adaptation in The Gambia. The evaluator will manage the evaluation process, ensuring timely delivery of reports and maintaining independence throughout. Responsibilities include conducting desk reviews, interviews, and field visits, as well as drafting evaluation reports and managing stakeholder relations. The role requires a strong background in evaluation, particularly in climate change adaptation projects. Candidate Requirements: Advanced university degree in environmental sciences or related field Minimum nine years of evaluation experience Experience with climate change adaptation projects Knowledge of ecosystem-based adaptation Fluency in English Result of Service The Evaluation Team will submit a concise evaluation report. Actual duration of the assignment is 46 days spread over a period of 6 months to be delivered as follows: Inception Report (30%) Draft report (40%) Final Evaluation Report (30%) Work Location Home based with field visits Expected duration 6 months Duties and Responsibilities ORGANIZATION SETTING The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. This consultancy is located at Headquarters in the Evaluation Office which reports directly to the Executive Director. The consultant reports to the Evaluation Manager and the Director of the Evaluation Office. THE PROJECT The project “Large-scale Ecosystem-based Adaptation in The Gambia: developing a climate-resilient, natural resource-based economy” was designed to respond to the high vulnerability of The Gambia’s ecosystems and rural livelihoods to climate variability and long-term climate change. As a Least Developed Country, The Gambia’s economy depends heavily on climate-sensitive sectors, particularly rainfed agriculture, forestry and other natural resource-based activities. Over time, environmental degradation, unsustainable land-use practices and limited institutional capacity has reduced ecosystem productivity and resilience, increasing the vulnerability of communities to climatic shocks. Climate change had intensified these pressures. Reduced and more erratic rainfall, increasing temperatures, shorter growing seasons and recurrent droughts has negatively affected agricultural yields, livestock productivity and the availability of forest products. In this context, the project was justified as a large-scale intervention to restore degraded ecosystems, strengthen ecosystem services and enhance adaptive capacity at community and institutional levels. The overall objective of the project was to build the climate resilience of rural Gambian communities and facilitate the development of a sustainable natural resource-based (green) economy by implementing large-scale Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) within and adjacent to agricultural areas, community-managed forest reserves and wildlife conservation areas. THE EVALUATION In line with the UNEP Evaluation Policy and the UNEP Programme and Project Management Manual, the Terminal Evaluation is undertaken at operational completion of the project to assess project performance (in terms of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency), and determine outcomes and impacts (actual and potential) stemming from the project, including their sustainability. The Evaluation has two primary purposes: (i) to provide evidence of results to meet accountability requirements, and (ii) to promote operational improvement, learning and knowledge sharing through results and lessons learned among UNEP and the main project partners. Therefore, the Evaluation will identify lessons of operational relevance for future project formulation and implementation, especially where a second phase of the project is being considered. Recommendations relevant to the whole house may also be identified during the evaluation process. THE EVALUATION TEAM For this Evaluation, the Evaluation Team will consist of a Principal Evaluator and Evaluation Specialist who will work under the overall responsibility of the Evaluation Office represented by an Evaluation Manager, in consultation with the UNEP Task Manager, Fund Management Officer and the Subprogramme Coordinator. Specific responsibilities for the Principal Evaluator: In close consultation with the Evaluation Manager, the Principal Evaluator will be responsible for the overall management of the Evaluation and timely provision of its outputs. More specifically: 1. Inception phase of the Evaluation, including: • preliminary desk review and introductory interviews with project staff; • draft the reconstructed Theory of Change of the project; • prepare the evaluation framework; • develop the desk review and interview protocols; • draft the survey protocols (if relevant); • develop and present criteria for country and/or site selection for the evaluation mission; • plan the evaluation schedule; • prepare the Inception Report, incorporating comments until approved by the Evaluation Manager. 2. Data collection and analysis phase of the Evaluation, including: • conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners, and project stakeholders, • where appropriate and agreed) conduct an e