International Consultant for the Mid Term Review of GEF-7 Sustainable Cities Project in Brazil

This role is for an International Consultant tasked with coordinating and leading the Mid Term Review (MTR) of the GEF-7 Sustainable Cities Project in Brazil. The consultant will be responsible for undertaking a comprehensive evaluation in accordance with GEF and UNEP policies, ensuring that findings and recommendations are based on sound evidence and analysis.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

1. Coordinate, author, and lead the mid-term review for the project in accordance with GEF and UNEP policies.
2. Take overall responsibility for undertaking the review and preparing the final report in English.
3. Undertake interviews with all key stakeholders, including in-person interviews in Brasilia and site visits in Florianópolis.
4. Evaluate all elements of the project in accordance with UNEP Evaluation Office guidelines.
5. Ensure all deliverables adhere to UNEP Evaluation Office templates, where applicable.
6. Develop mid-term review findings and recommendations based on sound evidence and analysis, clearly documenting these in the final reports. Information must be triangulated (verified from different sources) as far as possible, and when verification is not possible, the single source must be mentioned (while anonymity is protected). Analysis leading to evaluative judgements should always be clearly spelled out.
7. Base the findings on a desk review of relevant background documentation, including:
   • Project document and appendices (relevant workplans, budget and supervision plans, and revisions).
   • Theory of change, problem tree, and logical framework.
   • Project reports: half year progress reports, Project Implementation Reports (PIRs), expenditure reports, financial statements, audits, inventory reports, progress reports from collaborating partners, meeting minutes, relevant correspondence, and Tracking Tool.
   • Evaluations/Reviews of similar projects.
8. Conduct interviews (individual or in group) with, including but not limited to:
   • UNEP Task Manager (TM) and team members.
   • Project Manager (PM) and team members.
   • UNEP Administrative Officer (AO).
   • Project steering committee.
   • Identified stakeholders, including governmental agencies and officials, representatives from technology and educational institutions, distribution utilities, banks, associations, and NGOs.
9. Utilize other data collection tools if needed, to be agreed upon between the Task Manager, the Project Manager, and the terminal review consultant at the inception phase.

Performance Indicators

• Delivery of the three reports in accordance with the deadlines.
• Reports follow templates as shared by UNEP.
• Reports are considered high-quality (as determined by UNEP based on comparison with reports of other terminal evaluations and reviews).

Qualifications and Special Skills

Academic Requirements:

• An advanced university degree in economics, environmental sciences, management, or a related discipline is required.
• A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of technical experience on cities, including a strong background in urban planning, architecture, sustainability, and green infrastructure.
• Experience in the evaluation and monitoring of development projects in Latin America, including assessments of project documents such as concept notes, progress reports, work plans, and financial documents (budgets and expenditure reports) is required.
• Experience working on projects funded by the GEF, multilateral development banks, other bilateral funding entities, or projects implemented by UNEP is desirable.