Result of Service

Key deliverables 1. Desk review of integration of risk assessment in UNRWA construction and maintenance work that meets quality standards. Update the inception report and integrate in the methodology how Risk Management will be assessed (including updating the Evaluation Matrix and data collection tools). Required completion date 31st December 2024 2. Notes and summaries based on site visits, interviews and focus group discussions, including any other data collected, working papers, databases developed during the course of the assignment to UNRWA. Required completion date 31st December 2024 3. Inputs for the drafting of the final report as defined by UNRWA’s Evaluation Division. Required completion date 28th February 2025

Work Location

Home based – HQA

Expected duration

The consultant is expected to work between November 2024 and March 2025;

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND The Evaluation Division of the Department of Internal Oversight Services (DIOS) is conducting an evaluation of the construction and maintenance work of the Infrastructure and Camp Improvement programme (ICIP). The evaluation will focus on the design, construction and maintenance of UNRWA schools to assess the quality of school construction and its impact on education as well as the Agency’s processes and systems to provide generalizable findings and conclusions for the programme. In doing so, it will assess the work of the ICIP at UNRWA headquarters as well as across its fields of operation. The evaluation will cover work completed from 2019 to 2024 across all fields. Activities in Syria will be assessed to gather evidence in a post-conflict context. Given the ongoing war, coverage of Gaza will be limited. However, the evaluation team will aim to capture lessons that may be applicable to future work in Gaza. The evaluation will assess key processes in place within ICIP for construction projects and maintenance work, from community participation to end user feedback. The evaluation will cover aspects related to coordination between fields and headquarters, planning and project management, and procurement. It will include an assessment of the quality of UNRWA guidelines and standards for technical design, cost effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. A key aspect of the evaluation would be to assess risk management aspects of school construction and maintenance work, including the integration of risk assessment in all processes. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the overall guidance of the UNRWA Evaluation Division and working closely with the Evaluation Team Leader. The risk management expert will support the evaluation by providing a technical assessment of risk management in construction and maintenance work. As the risk management expert, the consultant will provide technical support to the evaluation by conducting a desk review of risk assessment integration in programme processes, and by participating in data collection through two in-person field visits and virtual interviews with selected stakeholders. The consultant will also participate in team meetings and presentations, and provide inputs where necessary to the draft and final evaluation reports. Other duties may be assigned by the Chief of the Evaluation Division, as needed. The consultant is expected to contribute up to 20 days to the evaluation between November 2024 and March 2025 with data collection activities to take place in November and December 2024.The evaluation report is to be finalized by March 2025. Specific activities for each evaluation phase include: • Implementation phase: o Provide overall guidance and technical support to the evaluation team on risk management aspects. o Review the inception report and integrate in the methodology how Risk Management will be assessed (including updating the Evaluation Matrix and data collection tools). o Participate in meetings to discuss the evaluation approach, as needed. o Conduct a desk review of risk assessment integration in UNRWA construction and maintenance work. o Participate in the data collection and analysis to assess construction related risks of selected UNRWA schools (including two missions to UNRWA fields of operation, site visits, virtual and in-person interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders where necessary). o Contribute to the analysis and discussion of findings within the evaluation team to reach preliminary conclusions and recommendations. • Reporting phase: o Participate in meetings and workshops to discuss preliminary evaluation results, as needed. o Contribute where needed to the drafting and finalization of the evaluation report.

Qualifications/special skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE • Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in business administration, international affairs, political science, risk management, law or other related field. • At least eight years of professional experience with risk management, including of construction and maintenance projects and/or Enterprise Risk Management is required. including two years of international experience outside one’s home country. • Prior experience assessing risks associated with construction work, including financial, environmental, safety and security risks. • Experience in UN or humanitarian field operations and emergencies in various geographical locations and multiple functional areas is required. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS • Certification in risk management is desirable. • Understanding of the Palestinian refugee context COMPETENCIES • Strong understanding of assessing and managing construction related risks • Ability to work independently and as part of a team • Excellent communication skills in English. Ability to speak Arabic considered an asset.

Languages

Excellent communication skills in English. Ability to speak Arabic considered an asset.

Additional Information

No previous involvement in activities related to UNRWA’s Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Programme.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.