Job offer: Country Programme Evaluation Team Lead – UNFPA

Place of Service Delivery and Evaluation Coverage

The Country Programme Evaluation (CPE) will be conducted in the regions where UNFPA has implemented core interventions:

• Adamawa

• Centre

• East

• Far North

• North

• North West

• South West

These regions were selected based on two main factors:

1. Development Needs: Several of these regions face critical challenges in health, gender-based violence (GBV), and youth empowerment, requiring targeted support and evaluation.

2. Crisis Contexts:

• North West, South West, and Far North are experiencing humanitarian and socio-political crises.
• Adamawa, East, Centre, and North are significantly impacted as host communities for internally displaced persons and refugees.

The evaluation will assess both development and humanitarian interventions, making it crucial to capture the context-specific challenges and successes in each region.

Delivery Dates and Method of Work Submission

The evaluation deliverables are to be submitted electronically, unless otherwise specified. All outputs must adhere to the structure and guidelines outlined in the UNFPA Evaluation Handbook.

Key Deliverables and Timeline

1. Design Report
   A detailed report translating the Terms of Reference (ToR) into a practical evaluation plan, including the methodology, evaluation matrix, and context analysis. Must comply with the format outlined in Section 2.4 of the UNFPA Evaluation Handbook.

2. Design Report Presentation (PowerPoint)
   Presented during an Evaluation Reference Group (ERG) meeting to share the proposed approach and fieldwork schedule. Feedback from the ERG, CPE Manager, and regional M&E advisor will be integrated into the final version.

3. Debriefing Presentation
   A PowerPoint presentation summarizing preliminary findings following the fieldwork phase. Delivered to the UNFPA Cameroon Country Office and the ERG, allowing stakeholders to clarify data points or address any misinterpretations before final analysis.

4. Draft Evaluation Report
   A comprehensive document outlining evidence-based findings and conclusions. Subject to review by the evaluation manager, country office, ERG, and regional M&E advisor. Revisions are made accordingly.

5. Recommendations Sheet
   A set of preliminary strategic recommendations drafted by the evaluation team. These serve as the basis for co-creation discussions with stakeholders to finalize action-oriented proposals for the next country programme.

6. Final Evaluation Report
   A professionally edited and formatted report (maximum 80 pages, excluding annexes). Includes:

• Findings, conclusions, and practical recommendations
• A complete evaluation matrix with supporting evidence and sources
• Structured in accordance with Section 4.5 of the Handbook

1. Evaluation Results Presentation (PowerPoint)
   A high-level summary of the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations, used to support the dissemination of results to internal and external stakeholders.

Monitoring, Supervision, and Reporting Requirements

Progress Monitoring and Quality Control

The Country Programme Evaluation (CPE) will be managed by the UNFPA Cameroon Country Office CPE Manager, in close collaboration with the designated government partner overseeing the national implementation of the country programme.

The CPE Manager holds full responsibility for supervising the evaluation process—from preparation and implementation to dissemination and follow-up—in accordance with the UNFPA Evaluation Manual and the UNFPA Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) Methodological Framework.

The CPE Manager will ensure that the evaluation upholds the highest standards of:

• Quality

• Independence

• Impartiality

• Ethical compliance, in alignment with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards and UNEG Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation.

Detailed responsibilities for each phase of the evaluation are outlined in the UNFPA Evaluation Manual.

Supervision Modalities

The UNFPA Cameroon CPE Manager, in partnership with the government coordinating authority, will directly supervise the evaluation team. They will:

• Guide the development and review of all evaluation deliverables

• Facilitate communication between stakeholders

• Ensure that the process remains transparent, methodologically sound, and aligned with the scope of work defined in the ToR

Reporting Requirements and Frequency

The evaluation team must provide regular updates on the status of activities and deliverables, following a schedule agreed upon during the design phase. These reports may include:

• Progress updates

• Draft versions of deliverables for review and feedback

• Final outputs, submitted electronically in required formats (Word, PowerPoint, PDF, etc.)

Exact submission deadlines and formats for each product will be clarified and documented in the approved work plan.

Fieldwork and Travel Requirements

Fieldwork Phase Overview

A four-week data collection period is planned, subject to final confirmation by the CPE Manager in coordination with the evaluation team during the design phase.

The fieldwork will include both national and subnational site visits across regions where UNFPA has active programming, particularly those facing development or humanitarian challenges.

Fieldwork Activities Include:

• Logistical preparation for field visits

• Official launch of the field phase

• Primary data collection at national and local levels

• Gathering of secondary data and relevant documentation

• Photographic documentation of evaluation sites and activities (where applicable and ethical)

• Completion of the evaluation matrix, integrating findings and data sources

• A data analysis workshop to interpret and validate initial findings

• Debriefing session with the UNFPA Country Office (CO) and the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG)

Debriefing and Validation of Findings

At the conclusion of the fieldwork, the evaluation team will deliver a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the preliminary findings and emerging trends. This debriefing meeting with the CO and ERG serves to:

• Validate collected data

• Refine interpretations

• Correct misperceptions or inaccuracies

• Facilitate stakeholder feedback ahead of drafting the final report

Field Phase Activities and Methodological Guidance

All activities during the fieldwork phase must follow the protocols and recommendations outlined in Chapter 3 of the UNFPA Evaluation Handbook. These activities include data collection, stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions, and validation workshops at both national and subnational levels. The evaluation team is expected to ensure that all data gathering is rigorous, ethical, and methodologically sound to maintain the integrity of the evaluation process.

Required Qualifications and Expertise

Team Lead – Country Programme Evaluation

The Evaluation Team Leader will guide the overall evaluation process and must meet the following minimum qualifications and experience requirements:

Education:

• A Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, demography, statistics, development studies, or a related discipline is required.

• A Ph.D. is considered a strong asset.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in conducting or managing evaluations in international development and/or humanitarian assistance contexts.

• Demonstrated experience conducting complex evaluations, including those for United Nations agencies, international organizations, and NGOs.

• Proven expertise in at least one of the thematic areas of the current UNFPA Cameroon Country Programme (e.g., sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, youth empowerment, population dynamics).

Technical Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of theory-of-change approaches and mixed-method evaluation designs (qualitative and quantitative).

• Strong command of UNFPA and UNEG evaluation standards, including methodological rigor, ethics, and use of participatory approaches.

• Experience with humanitarian evaluation frameworks, including knowledge of international humanitarian law, humanitarian principles, and coordination mechanisms.

• Ability to integrate human rights and gender equality throughout the evaluation lifecycle.

• Proficiency in data synthesis, including handling and interpreting large volumes of complex data.

• Familiarity with and ability to apply AI tools in data analysis and reporting is an added advantage.

Team Leadership and Mentoring:

• Strong skills in leading multidisciplinary evaluation teams, managing workflows, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality outputs.

• Ability to mentor junior evaluators, promote an inclusive team environment, and support capacity building of emerging evaluation professionals.

Language and Communication Skills:

• Fluency in English (both written and oral) is mandatory.

• Working knowledge of French is highly desirable.

• Excellent skills in interpersonal communication, technical writing, and presentation of complex findings to diverse audiences.

Nationality:

• Open to both Cameroonian and non-Cameroonian applicants.

Support and Resources Provided by UNFPA

UNFPA Cameroon will provide the following logistical and operational support to facilitate the successful completion of the evaluation:

• Access to relevant documents, data, and stakeholders

• Coordination and liaison support with government and local actors

• Office space, if needed during in-country missions

• Assistance with field visit logistics (e.g., transportation and local arrangements)

• Translation and interpretation services, if required

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to [CLICK HERE TO APPLY] and submit their application in line with the outlined requirements.