Systems thinking and Partnerships Specialist – United States of America

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Systems thinking and Partnerships Specialist for a social, monitoring evaluation, ict consultancy assignment financed by UNDP in United States of America.

Aninver Development Partners SL is preparing a proposal for an upcoming independent evaluation assignment supported by UNDP in the United States of America. We are seeking a qualified Systems thinking and Partnerships Specialist to join our expert team for this strategic evaluation initiative focused on disability-inclusive development, institutional change, and sustainable systems transformation.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in assessing complex change pathways, multi-actor partnership models, and institutional capacities across a diverse global portfolio. This consultancy offers a unique opportunity to shape future strategic programming and contribute actionable insights to advance the rights of persons with disabilities globally.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Assess the contribution of portfolio investments to sustainable disability-inclusive systems and institutional change.
• Evaluate GDF's four systems-change pathways encompassing practice, partnerships, policies, financing, and knowledge.
• Analyze the effectiveness, coordination, and added value of multi-stakeholder partnership models.
• Examine whether observed changes have become institutionalized and embedded in routine practices to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Formulate practical, evidence-based recommendations to inform future strategic programming and investment choices.

Scope of work

• Review portfolio-level evidence inputs spanning numerous national and multi-country programmes.
• Examine and refine the Theory of Change, focusing on causal pathways and systemic transformations.
• Conduct structured portfolio mapping and rigorous evidence assessments across heterogeneous settings.
• Contribute to in-depth country case studies combining document review, stakeholder interviews, and institutional analysis.
• Engage diverse stakeholders including government ministries, UN entities, civil society, and organizations of persons with disabilities.
• Participate in dedicated thematic deep dives, including the evaluation of care and support systems.

Your role as Systems thinking and Partnerships Specialist

• Apply systems-thinking and systems-change methodologies to evaluate institutional incentives, relationships, power dynamics, and feedback mechanisms.
• Assess multi-actor partnership approaches and collaboration among governments, civil society, UN entities, and development partners.
• Analyze how partnerships, coordination, and stakeholder relationships contribute to results and sustained systemic change.
• Examine institutionalization, policy embedding, financing arrangements, and conditions affecting the replication and scale of outcomes.
• Contribute to theory-based evaluation activities, contribution analysis, and causal-inference assessments.
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative evidence to formulate strategic conclusions and actionable recommendations.

Requirements

• Education: Master's degree in international development, public policy, social policy, systems thinking, organisational/institutional development, disability studies, human rights, political economy or another relevant discipline
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience applying systems thinking, systems-change approaches, institutional analysis and/or partnership approaches in international development or comparable contexts

Desirable

• Prior experience working with UNDP or multi-partner trust funds in global evaluation assignments.
• Familiarity with disability-inclusive development frameworks and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

An experienced systems-thinking and partnerships expert with a strong background in institutional analysis, multi-actor collaboration, and sustainable change within international development evaluations.

Assignment details

• Location: United States of America
• Financed by: UNDP
• Sector: Social, monitoring evaluation, ict
• Estimated duration: 3 months
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a UNDP-financed project in United States of America.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.