Youth Evaluator – Safeguarding Young People Regional Programme End-Term Evaluation

Type of Engagement: Short-term consultancy Duration: 9 months Level of Effort: Part-time / Full-time Location: Remote with possible field engagement Reporting To: Programs and Partnership Director 1. Background Nucleus Global Health and Social Affairs Consulting LLC is conducting the End-Term Evaluation of the Safeguarding Young People (SYP) Regional Programme. The SYP program focuses on advancing adolescents’ and young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across multiple countries in East and Southern Africa, with emphasis on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), access to youth-friendly SRH services (including self-care), enabling laws and policies, meaningful youth participation and accountability, and emerging issues such as climate change, digitalization, and mental health. To lead this complex, multi-country evaluation, Nucleus Global seeks to engage an experienced Evaluation Team Lead who will be responsible for the overall technical leadership, methodological rigor, coordination of the evaluation team, and delivery of high-quality evaluation outputs that meet UN and UNEG standards. 2. Purpose of the Assignment The purpose of this consultancy is to provide strategic and technical leadership for the SYP end-term evaluation, ensuring that the evaluation is methodologically sound, ethically conducted, youth-responsive, gender- and human-rights-based, and produces credible, actionable findings and recommendations. The Evaluation Team Lead will oversee all phases of the evaluation, from design to dissemination, and ensure alignment with donor and client evaluation requirements. 3. Scope of Work The Evaluation Team Lead will have overall responsibility for planning, managing, and delivering the evaluation. The role includes leadership across all stages of the evaluation process and close coordination with Nucleus Global, the client organization, and the evaluation team. a) Evaluation Design and Inception  Lead the development of the evaluation framework, methodology, and analytical approach in line with UNEG Norms and Standards and UNFPA evaluation guidance.  Oversee the development and finalization of the inception report, including the evaluation matrix, data collection tools, and work plan.  Ensure meaningful integration of youth participation, gender equality, and human-rights-based approaches throughout the evaluation design.  Review program documentation, previous evaluations, and relevant regional and global evidence to inform the evaluation approach. Nucleus Global Health & Social Affairs Consulting, LLC. 502 Starling View Cir, Grayson, ga 30017 Client-Centered. Globally Conscious 2 b) Team Leadership and Coordination  Provide technical leadership and supervision to evaluation team members, including youth evaluators and thematic specialists.  Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, timelines, and quality standards for all team members.  Coordinate internal team meetings and serve as the primary technical focal point for Nucleus Global and key stakeholders. c) Data Collection and Field Engagement  Oversee and participate in qualitative and quantitative data collection activities, including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations.  Lead or support in-person field missions in selected focus countries (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), as required.  Ensure all data collection adheres to ethical standards, including informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, and the principle of “do no harm.” d) Data Analysis and Thematic Deep Dives  Lead the analysis and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative findings across all thematic areas of the SYP program.  Ensure rigorous triangulation of data and clear linkage between evidence, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.  Oversee in-depth thematic analyses on CSE; SRH services, including self-care; laws and policy; youth engagement and youth-led accountability; and emerging issues (climate change, digitalization, innovation, mental health).  Ensure lessons learned and good practices are clearly articulated and grounded in evidence. e) Reporting, Quality Assurance, and Dissemination  Lead the drafting, review, and finalization of the draft and final evaluation reports and thematic technical briefs.  Ensure reports meet high-quality standards, are clearly written, and are compliant with UNFPA and UNEG requirements.  Lead or support validation workshops, stakeholder briefings, and learning sessions, incorporating feedback into final deliverables. 4. Deliverables The Evaluation Team Lead will be responsible for the timely delivery of the following outputs:  Inception report, including finalized evaluation matrix, methodology, and tools.  Oversight and quality assurance of data collection and completed evaluation matrix.  Draft and final evaluation reports.  Oversight and consolidation of thematic technical briefs.  Facilitation of validation and learning processes with stakeholders. Nucleus Global Health & Social Affairs Consulting, LLC. 502 Starling View Cir, Grayson, ga 30017 Client-Centered. Globally Conscious 3 5. Required Qualifications  PhD or Master’s degree in development studies, population studies, economics, monitoring and evaluation, social sciences, public health, or a related field.  At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, research, or social studies within international development, preferably in East and Southern Africa.  Proven experience leading complex, multi-country programme evaluations, preferably in adolescent and youth SRHR.  Demonstrated experience working with UN agencies and familiarity with UNFPA and UNEG evaluation standards.  Strong analytical, leadership, communication, organizational, and report-writing skills.  Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines.  Strong commitment to ethical, rights-based, and gender-responsive evaluation practice. 6. Desired Competencies  Strategic and results-oriented leadership  Strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills  High level of technical rigor and attention to quality  Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities  Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills 7. Reporting & Coordination The Evaluation Team Lead will report directly to the Nucleus Global Programs and Partnership Director and will work closely with the client organization and other key stakeholders throughout the assignment 8. Contract & Payment Terms  Contract type and payment schedule will be linked to agreed deliverables and milestones.  Professional fees will be negotiated based on experience and scope of work.  All outputs produced under this consultancy will remain the property of Nucleus Global Health and Social Affairs Consulting LLC 9. Application Deadline – Feb 13 th, 5:00 PM EST 10. Application submission – Qualified applicants can submit their 2-page CVs of relevant experience to hr@nucleusglobalconsulting.com