UN Women National Consultant (Evaluation) – Link Women Phase II End-Line Assessment - Home Based, India

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women India Country Office is implementing Link Women Phase II as part of its broader mandate to advance women’s economic empowerment (WEE) by enhancing women’s access to skills, employment opportunities, and agency in decision-making. The programme is aligned with UN Women’s strategic priorities on expanding women’s economic opportunities, strengthening gender-responsive skills and employability pathways, and addressing structural barriers that limit women’s participation in the labour market. Link Women Phase II aims to support young women from marginalised backgrounds to transition successfully from education into employment, entrepreneurship, or higher education pathways. The programme focuses on strengthening employability and work-readiness skills, life skills and confidence, and gender awareness and agency, recognising that technical skills alone are insufficient for sustained labour market engagement. Key programme interventions include structured training modules on employability and life skills, career guidance and exposure opportunities, placement support, and a Fellowship component designed to provide deeper engagement, mentorship, and leadership development for a selected group of participants.

The primary beneficiaries of the programme are young women enrolled in higher education institutions, particularly those with limited access to skills training, labour market information, and support networks. In addition, the programme engages a wider set of stakeholders, including faculty and institutional partners, who play a critical role in programme delivery; the implementing partner responsible for on-ground coordination and training; and employers and industry actors who support exposure and placement pathways. The programme is implemented across two states (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh) and four districts (Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, Indore).

UN Women is now undertaking the endline assessment of Link Women Phase II, which will be led and managed in-house by the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) function of the UN Women India Country Office. A substantial body of evidence has already been generated over the course of the programme, including the Link Women baseline and endline surveys, partner-submitted training and activity reports, participation, placement and transition records, Fellowship documentation, and routine monitoring data received from the field.

Against this background, the present assignment is a short-term, consultancy. The consultant will conduct the primary qualitative study with stakeholders, consolidate, analyse and synthesise these multiple data streams and prepare a comprehensive endline report. The expected outcome is a well-evidenced and analytically sound endline report that documents programme results against baseline, explains what has worked and what has not across different cohorts of participants, and generates lessons to inform the design, adaptation and scale-up of future women’s economic empowerment initiatives.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision and day-to-day guidance of the M&E Lead, UN Women India Country Office, and in close coordination with the Programme Analyst, WEE. The Programme Associate will serve as the contact person for contract and payment matters.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The key responsibilities will include:

1. Desk Review and Familiarisation

• Review all relevant programme documentation, including the programme design and implementation plans, results and monitoring framework, partner training and activity reports, and UN Women’s Strategic Note 2023–27.
• Participate in orientation discussions with the M&E Lead and the WEE programme team to understand the scope of the endline, the key areas of enquiry, and the expected structure of the endline report.
• Review and map the available Link Women data sources, including baseline and endline survey tools and datasets and field-level monitoring data, and identify key data gaps and quality issues to inform the endline analysis.

2. Analysis of available programme data

• Conduct analysis of available programme data including, training pre and post-test data, placement and mentorship data participants feedback forms and any other programme data available. .
• Identify data gaps, inconsistencies or quality issues and work with the M&E Lead, programme team and implementing partner to address them.

3. Analysis of Baseline and Endline Survey Data

• Clean and prepare the baseline and endline survey datasets for analysis, including checking for missing, inconsistent or duplicate data and addressing data quality issues. .
• Conduct data analysis of baseline–endline analysis across key programme indicators, including employability and work-readiness, life skills and confidence, gender awareness and agency, and education-to-work transition outcomes using appropriate statistical software (SPSS, STATA, R, SAS etc).
• Disaggregate findings by relevant categories, including state, district, institution, cohort and Fellowship participation, and analyse differences across participant groups.
• Develop tables, graphs and other appropriate data visualisations to present the findings clearly.

4. Secondary Data Collection and Synthesis

• Identify and collect relevant secondary data and literature, including national and state-level evidence on female labour force participation, skilling, higher education and youth employment, and documentation from comparable employability and education-to-work transition programmes.
• Synthesise this secondary evidence to contextualise and benchmark the Link Women endline findings.
• Maintain a properly referenced bibliography and source list in a consistent citation style.

5. Conduct qualitative interviews with respondents in programme states and analysis

• Review and revise the existing qualitative tools (FGD, IDI and KII) and finalise the tools in consultation with the programme team and M&E lead
• Conduct focus group discussions, In-depth Interviews and Key Informant Interviews (approximately 10–15) with participant to understand the pathways of change and how the programme influences their future decisions. This will include:
  • Focus group discussions with Programme participants across different transition pathways (employment, entrepreneurship, higher education, and non-transition cases), including Fellowship participants; (4-5)
  • Key Informant Interviews with faculty and institutional partners (3-4);
  • Key informant interviews with Implementing partner staff, and employers or industry actors engaged in exposure and placement pathways (1-2)
  • In-depth interviews with identified programme participants (2-4)
• Apply UN Women’s ethical standards throughout, including informed consent, confidentiality, data protection and the safe handling of personal information.
• Develop transcripts and translations of interview notes and share the same with the Programme team and M&E lead
• Analyse the qualitative findings under different thematic areas in discussion with M&E lead and programme team

6. Draft the Endline Report

• Develop and share the proposed endline report structure and section plan for approval
• Prepare the draft endline report, incorporating quantitative and qualitative findings, recommendations and illustrative case studies, with the required tables, charts, data visualisations and annexes.
• Finalise the report by incorporating feedback from the M&E Lead, WEE programme team and relevant stakeholders, and prepare a presentation of the key findings.

7. Coordination and Communication

• Work under the day-to-day guidance of the M&E Lead and participate in regular (at least weekly) check-in and working sessions.
• Coordinate with the WEE programme team and the implementing partner to obtain outstanding data and to schedule and conduct qualitative interviews.
• Ensure timely submission of deliverables and prompt, constructive response to technical feedback.
• Hand over all datasets, analysis outputs, interview material and documentation to UN Women at the close of the assignment.

Deliverables:

The Individual Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs:

1. Work Plan and Data Inventory Note: A short note (4–6 pages) presenting a consolidated inventory of all available data sources (baseline and endline survey datasets, training and partner reports, monitoring and transition records, Fellowship documentation), an assessment of their completeness and quality, the evidence gaps identified, the proposed approach to secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection an annotated outline of the endline report, and a detailed workplan; to be submitted within two weeks of the start of the assignment.
2. Quantitative data analysis : Provide the detailed analysis of programme data, including the training data, programme implementation progress data by state/ district/ institution/ type of engagement, baseline and endline, including the tables and figures including the cleaned dataset and the syntax used for analysis.
3. Survey Data Analysis Note and Analysis Pack: Cleaned and fully documented baseline and endline datasets, together with an analysis note (10–15 pages) presenting descriptive and comparative baseline–endline analysis across key indicators, disaggregated by state, district, institution, cohort and Fellowship participation, accompanied by labelled analysis tables and charts and the underlying analysis syntax or scripts.
4. Field and Secondary Data Synthesis Note: A synthesis note (10–15 pages) consolidating findings from field-submitted training, monitoring and transition data, from secondary data and literature, and from the completed online interviews (approximately 10–15), submitted together with interview notes, the coding framework used, and a referenced bibliography.
5. Qualitative Tools and Data collection: Revised qualitative data collection tools, translations of FGD, IDI and KII interactions along with audio (if available).
6. Analytical Note of Qualitative data: A comprehensive analytical note based on the qualitative data, examining the pathways of change, the programme’s contribution to young women’s employability and entrepreneurship readiness, key challenges and areas for improvement, and recommendations to inform future programme design and implementation.
7. Draft Endline Report: A consolidated draft endline report (approximately 30–40 pages excluding annexes) comprising an executive summary, background, methodology, findings that integrate survey, qualitative findings, field, and secondary and data along with at least five illustrative case studies of participant journeys, conclusions, recommendations and annexes.
8. Final Endline Report and Data Pack: A revised final report incorporating all feedback from the M&E Lead, the WEE programme team and stakeholders, accompanied by a short slide deck summarising key findings and recommendations, and a complete, well-organised data pack (cleaned datasets, analysis outputs, interview material, bibliography) formally handed over to UN Women.

Deliverables Timelines:

• Inception note, finalised tools and work plan - 20th October 2026 – Payment by 23rd October (10%)
• Quantitative analysis notes and data pack - 30th October 2026
• Qualitative data collection completion and fieldwork note - 16th November 2026 – Payment by 20th November (50%)
• Qualitative analytical note - 25th November 2026
• Draft endline report (integrating survey, field, secondary and interview evidence, with case studies) - 30th November 2026
• Final endline report incorporating feedback, slide deck and data pack handover - 8th December 2026 – Payment by 10 December (40%)

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel:

This is a home-based consultancy for a period of two months. The consultant will work under the close, day-to-day guidance of the Program Analyst and the M&E Lead and is expected to be available for regular working sessions, held either in person at the UN Women India Country Office in New Delhi or online.

Field travel is envisaged under this assignment. Primary data collection will be undertaken through a mix of field visits and remotely through online interviews. The consultant is expected to have access to their own laptop, reliable internet connectivity and appropriate data analysis software.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Quantitative Data Management and Survey data Analysis
• Qualitative Data Synthesis, Coding and Thematic Analysis
• Secondary Research and Evidence Synthesis
• Analytical Report Writing and Data Visualisation
• Accuracy, Attention to Detail and Timeliness
• Ability to Work Collaboratively and Responsively under Supervision

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, statistics, economics, development studies, gender studies, public policy, education, or a related field is required.

A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in monitoring and evaluation, social research or data analysis, including experience supporting evaluations, assessments, baseline or endline studies.
• Demonstrated experience in cleaning, managing and analysing quantitative survey data using statistical software (SPSS, Stata, R, SAS or advanced MS Excel) is required.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative data synthesis, including coding and thematic analysis of interview and report-based material, is required.
• Experience in conducting interviews in person and remotely/online with diverse respondents is required.
• Proven experience in drafting analytical research or evaluation reports in English; samples of previous written work will be required.
• Experience in gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, skilling and employability, or education-to-work transition programmes is desirable.
• Prior experience of working with the United Nations or other international development organisations is an asset.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple data sources, work to tight deadlines, and deliver accurate outputs with limited supervision.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Hindi is required. Working knowledge of Marathi and/or other relevant local languages will be an advantage.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria:

Criteria for shortlisting of CVs will be based on the following assessment:

• Required Qualification (5 points);
• Minimum Experience relevant to the assignment (5 points);
• Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation (5 points).

The evaluation process for selection of the candidate will be based on the following assessment:

• Writing Samples Assessment (30%)
• Interview (70%)

Please Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 65 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
• Consultants are required to submit doctor's certificate to state fitness to work and travel for this assignment.
• Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.
• The consultant is expected to use their own computer equipment. The office will not provide any computer equipment for this assignment.
• This is a full-time assignment. The consultant is expected to disclose any outside activity and shall not be permitted to take up any outside work during this assignment.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

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Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.