Consultant – Evaluability Assessment of Smarter Safer Schools Programme

About the role

UNICEF is seeking an experienced consultant to conduct an evaluability assessment of the Smarter Safer Schools (SSS) programme in Papua New Guinea. The assignment will determine whether the programme design, monitoring arrangements, and resource allocations are sufficient to support effective implementation and future independent evaluations.

Key responsibilities

• Assess the relevance, logic and coherence of the SSS programme design, including its theory of change and results chain.
• Review assumptions, alignment with national policy priorities and attention to equity, gender, disability and climate resilience.
• Examine the adequacy and validity of indicators, monitoring tools and data systems for measuring outputs and outcomes.
• Provide an independent assessment to UNICEF, DFAT and PNG government counterparts on the robustness of governance arrangements and resource provisions.
• Deliver a concise report with recommendations for adaptive management and future mid‑term or final evaluations.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in education, development studies, public policy, or a related field.
• Proven experience in programme evaluation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of large‑scale education initiatives.
• Familiarity with the PNG education context and multi‑stakeholder partnerships is an advantage.
• Strong analytical and report‑writing skills, with ability to present findings clearly to diverse audiences.

Required skills

• Evaluation methodology and design
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Development of logical frameworks and theory of change
• Assessment of monitoring tools and data systems

What we offer

• Four‑month consultancy (remote work with a required trip to PNG)
• Opportunity to influence a high‑impact education programme funded by DFAT and UNICEF
• Professional development within a global humanitarian organization