Evaluation of the project “Long-term institutional support for integrating gender equality into UNCCD”

Evaluation of the project “Long-term institutional support for integrating gender equality into UNCCD” UNCCD - United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Remote | Home Based - May require travel National Speaks English Application deadline: November 03, 2026 (7 months) Apply Summary by Impactpool The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is seeking an evaluator for the project 'Long-term institutional support for integrating gender equality into UNCCD'. The evaluator will assess the project's performance and results, focusing on gender equality outcomes in relation to desertification and land degradation. This role involves independent evaluation, analysis of findings, and providing recommendations for future actions. The evaluation aims to enhance the effectiveness of UNCCD actions on gender equality and support women's roles in sustainable land management. Candidate Requirements: Masters degree in relevant fields Professional expertise in evaluating development cooperation projects Knowledge of international cooperation on gender equality and land governance Excellent written and verbal communication skills Experience in producing high-quality written reports Knowledge of UNCCD or other Rio Conventions is an asset Fluency in spoken and written English Result of Service Evaluation report. Work Location Home-based. Expected duration 3 months (part-time) Duties and Responsibilities Background note: Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention seeks to support countries to address Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (DLDD). (www.unccd.int) In September 2017, Parties to the UNCCD adopted a Gender Action Plan (GAP). The GAP accompanies the implementation of the UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework which enhances the implementation of the Convention, making it a more powerful and strategic instrument for transforming the livelihoods of millions of families. The Convention recognizes the importance of women in the implementation of the Convention and identifies critical areas for their engagement: (i) awareness-raising, and participation in the design and implementation of programmes; (ii) decision-making processes that men and women adopt at the local level in the governance of development, implementation and review of regional and national action programmes; and (iii) capacity-building, education and public awareness, particularly at local level through the support of local organizations. The GAP further specifies the UNCCD aims concerning gender equality through its five objectives: (1) To enhance women’s role as agents of change by addressing the gender inequalities they face; (2) To build the capacities of women and girls to access the resources they need to improve their livelihoods, manage land sustainably and become resilient to drought; (3) To build the technical capacities of UNCCD stakeholders at all levels to design and implement gender-responsive plans and programmes, including in land degradation neutrality (LDN) interventions; and (4) To develop a baseline on gender-related issues in land degradation and desertification, and monitor, report and regularly review progress in the implementation and achievement of objectives; and (5) To mobilize adequate resources to achieve these objectives. In March 2020, the Department of Foreign Trade and Development of Canada and the UNCCD signed a grant arrangement aiming at “Long-term institutional support for integrating gender equality into the UNCCD”. The overall aim of this project is the achievement of gender transformative results across the Convention through accelerated efforts to reduce desertification and land degradation impacts on women, girls and other marginalized groups. Objectives of the project: The project aims to enhance gender equality outcomes in countries where UNCCD stakeholders address desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD). It is built around two main outcomes accompanied by indicators, as follows: 1. Improved implementation of the UNCCD GAP Indicators: - # of Parties committed to take action on gender responsive land governance and tenure - # targeted stakeholders reporting on progress in strengthening laws and policies in relation to women’s rights to land tenure and access to natural resources - # of LDN implementing agencies and partners reporting the use of WOCAT tool and/or gender module - # of references in official UNCCD documents and decisions related to gender equality with respect to land tenure 2. Improved design and implementation of large-scale and financially viable gender-responsive land degradation neutrality transformative projects Indicators: - #/total of new/modified UNCCD transformative projects and programs (disaggregated by developing countries/LDCs) that are large-scale and financially viable - # of new/modified UNCCD transformative projects and programs that include gender-responsive objectives and activities and that are in line with the gender standards of financing sources - Total value of additional financial resources (in USD) targeted through support from this grant - # of new/modified UNCCD transformative projects and programs that include components on private sector collaboration Immediate outcomes and main outputs are also defined. Objectives of the evaluation: The evaluation of the project “Long-term institutional support for integrating gender equality into UNCCD” will provide an overview of its performance and results vis-à-vis the aims that were agreed for the project at the beginning. It will inform about the successes and challenges, with the aim to provide importa