This consultancy will support the end-to-end conduct of the summative evaluation for the Safe Online-funded programme "A systematic approach in making the internet safe for children in SA" (2022-2025) - a strategic flagship initiative in UNICEF's child protection portfolio.
Responsibilities
Responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering the evaluation assignment according to UNICEF standards and quality expectations. The consultant will lead all methodological aspects, stakeholder engagement, data collection, and analysis.
Includes representatives from key government departments (DSD, DBE, DOJCD, SAPS, DCDT), civil society, academia, and private sector actors. The ERG will review key deliverables and provide feedback.
Prepare an Inception Report detailing the evaluation design, methodology, data collection tools, stakeholder mapping, and evaluation matrix.
Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with UNICEF staff, government officials, civil society partners, and tech sector actors;
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and interviews with children, caregivers, educators, and service providers; and the
Analysis of existing datasets such as U-Report, Disrupting Harm study data, and programme monitoring data.
Populate the evaluation matrix with findings from primary and secondary data.
Develop and submit a draft evaluation report, including key findings, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations.
Facilitate stakeholder validation workshops and incorporate feedback.
Finalize the evaluation report and produce a PowerPoint presentation and evaluation brief for dissemination.
Support dissemination activities and prepare knowledge products to promote uptake of findings.
Requirements:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Development Evaluation, Social Work, Public Health, Social Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field.
A minimum of 10years of relevant professional experience in the programme evaluation field, public policy and development environment.
Expertise in conducting similar or related strategic programme evaluations, including a proven track record of evaluation of similar child protection programmes supported by UN or UNICEF.
Demonstrated experience in project management, evaluation, value for money analysis and partnership engagement in child protection, with a preference for experience in the areas of child safeguarding in the digital space and online safety concerning minors.
Outstanding research and analytical skills, including strong ability to analyze; integrate and summarise information from a wide range of sources.
