Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview),

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. 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. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The “Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management to Improve Livelihoods and Protect Biodiversity in Nauru (GEF 10161)” project is a full-sized initiative with a GEF grant of USD 3,502,968. Its main goal is to achieve land degradation neutrality and improve ecosystem services in Nauru through integrated landscape management and the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. To accomplish this, the project aims to contribute to the achievement of GEF Global Environmental Benefits, including Conservation and sustainable use of globally significant biodiversity, Improved provision of ecosystem services and Carbon sequestration benefits. In terms of national priorities, the project addresses a significant proportion of the country’s relevant targets outlined in the National Integrated Environment Programme, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and other key documents. The Department of Commerce, Industry and Environment (DCIE), Government of Nauru, is responsible for executing the project. The “Integrated Land Management, Restoration of Degraded Landscapes and Natural Capital Assessment in the Mountains of Papua New Guinea (PNG) (GEF 10580)” project is a full-sized initiative with a GEF grant of USD 3,512,100. Its main goal is to achieve biodiversity conservation and land degradation neutrality in the Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces of Papua New Guinea through integrated landscape management and natural capital assessment. To achieve this, the project applies a multi-partner implementation approach involving key government and non-government stakeholders. This approach aims to overcome limitations caused by: sisjointed institutional linkages and capacity constraints within the executing agency and strong sectoral silos. The Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), Government of Papua New Guinea, is responsible for executing the project. The GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit is seeking to recruit a consultant (Level C) to conduct the Mid-Term Review of the two projects. The review will assess overall achievements at mid-term, identify challenges faced, and engage with project counterparts to address issues through effective corrective measures in project activities and outputs, monitoring and evaluation, resource allocation, and related GEF and co-financing arrangements. This consultancy position is located within UNEP / Ecosystems Division / GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit. The Review Consultant will report directly to the Task Manager (GEF TM) and work under the overall guidance of the Portfolio Manager of the GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit, Ecosystems Division, in Nairobi.

Responsibilities or duties,

Inception Phase

• Conduct 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 MTR Inception Report, including main tasks, timelines, and institutions, staff, and project beneficiaries to be involved in the MTR.

Data Collection and Analysis Phase

• Conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners, and stakeholders.
• Undertake field assessment missions to Nauru and Papua New Guinea—approximately 7 days each, including visits to project sites.
• Regularly report to the Task Manager on progress and inform them of any potential problems or issues encountered.

Reporting Phase

• Draft the MTR Review Reports, ensuring they are complete, coherent, and consistent with the TOR and Task Manager guidelines in both substance and style.
• Liaise with the Task Manager on comments received and finalize the MTR Review Reports, ensuring all comments are addressed until approval is granted.
• Prepare a Response to Comments annex for the main report, listing any comments not accepted and providing reasons for their rejection.

Managing Relations

• Maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring the review process is as participatory as possible while preserving independence.
• Communicate promptly with the Task Manager on any issues requiring attention or intervention.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills),

Experience needed,

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes).

Work Location: Home-based with field visits to Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

• Conduct 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 MTR Inception Report, including main tasks, timelines, and institutions, staff, and project beneficiaries to be involved in the MTR.
• Conduct further desk review and in-depth interviews with project implementing and executing agencies, project partners, and stakeholders.
• Undertake field assessment missions to Nauru and Papua New Guinea—approximately 7 days each, including visits to project sites.
• Regularly report to the Task Manager on progress and inform them of any potential problems or issues encountered.
• Draft the MTR Review Reports, ensuring they are complete, coherent, and consistent with the TOR and Task Manager guidelines in both substance and style.
• Liaise with the Task Manager on comments received and finalize the MTR Review Reports, ensuring all comments are addressed until approval is granted.
• Prepare a Response to Comments annex for the main report, listing any comments not accepted and providing reasons for their rejection.
• Maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, ensuring the review process is as participatory as possible while preserving independence.
• Communicate promptly with the Task Manager on any issues requiring attention or intervention.

• Strong writing and editing skills

• A minimum advanced university degree in environmental sciences, international development, or another relevant political or social sciences area is required. A first-level university degree in the same area is acceptable with two additional years of relevant experience.
• At least seven (7) years of technical/evaluation experience is required, preferably including evaluating large, regional, or global programs and using a Theory of Change approach.
• Experience in GEF Biodiversity projects is desirable.
• Knowledge of the UN system, preferably including the work of UNEP, is desirable.
• Professional work experience in the Pacific region on ecosystem restoration, sustainable land management, and natural capital accounting (NCA) is desirable.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.