Evaluation of Extra Budget Project – To enhance the operationalization of the “Climate/SDGs Debt Swap – Donor Nexus Initiative”

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is seeking an independent individual consultant to conduct an evaluation of the extra-budgetary project titled 'To enhance the operationalization of the Climate/SDGs Debt Swap – Donor Nexus Initiative.' This initiative addresses severe fiscal stress and rising debt burdens in Arab Middle-Income Countries and Least Developed Countries by converting national debt service payments into domestic investments for climate-resilient projects and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) acceleration. The selected consultant will assess the project's overall performance, pathway to results, and key impact metrics across six core criteria: relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability. Additionally, the evaluation will measure the integration of cross-cutting considerations such as gender equality, human rights, disability inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Operating remotely over a four-month timeframe, the consultant will deliver actionable recommendations and identify strategic lessons to enhance future ESCWA programs in innovative financing instruments.