"Restoring Mosul University Library" Project Final Evaluation Consultant

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Erbil

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff- Individual Consultancy

Duration of contract : Tentatively 25 November 2025 – 31 January 2026

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 17-11-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

1. Introduction

A. Background

The Mosul University library was extensively damaged during the conflict. The space once housed more than one million books, periodicals, manuscripts, and government publications from as early as the 1920s. As a house of learning and knowledge at the center of the University, the Library was among the first institutions targeted after their occupation of Mosul in 2014. The library was deliberately set on fire, almost all its collection was destroyed, and its building severely damaged. In the absence of the central library, more than 60,000 students, university lecturers, and staff did not have easy access to the required literature for their research and academic projects. UNESCO aims to build resilience and promote rapid recovery and transition in Mosul. 

Education provides physical, psychosocial, and cognitive protection that can sustain and save lives during a crisis. Education remains a fundamental human right, and quality learning opportunities should be available for all ages. The Mosul University library plays an important role in realizing this objective by supporting the revival of the spirit of Moslawi youth, ensuring access to a safe learning environment, especially for young girls, and fostering peaceful coexistence among the youth of Mosul. The physical infrastructure rehabilitation of the Central Library was completed in February 2022 by UNDP, but the operationalization of the library required urgent support to put in place the necessary measures for designing library functionalities and providing the modern tools and instruments necessary to effectively perform those functionalities from acquisition to archiving and digitization of the existing old and new library materials and holdings. Additionally, technical and professional capacity strengthening of the library staff through tailored practical training programs was highly needed. The gaps within institutional and professional capacities of the Central Library resulted in undermining the wider investment and prospects of the university in offering a holistic approach to learning and research.

To address these urgent needs, the “Restoring Mosul University Library” project was implemented from 1 June 2023 to 31 January 2026. Supported by AICS, the project was implemented by UNESCO in close partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the University of Mosul as the primary beneficiary, with active involvement from its leadership, staff, and students. The project also involved some national and international partners like the Sacred Abbasid Shrine from Iraq, Ulster University from UK, Open Computer Library Center, Arab Unified Catalogue (ARUC) and the University of Saint Joseph (USJ). Additionally, 21 institutions and publishers were involved, through Erbil International Book Forum, in providing the library with the needed knowledge resources.  

Long Description

With the overall objective of making the Mosul University Library fully functional and ensuring that it is perceived as an essential knowledge resource and a cultural connecting place, the project included the following activities:

1- Capacity-building: Development and implementation of a training program for more than 87 Library staff in various areas such as library management, acquisitions, cataloguing, scanning and archive management, conservation, digitization, repository management, Koha LIS (Library Information System) use and communication. The training was followed by practical application throughout the project duration.  
2- Application of the LIS: Selection, customization and deployment of an enterprise software solution, covering the Library local functions and remote e-services, including acquisition, warehousing, interchange and virtual integration with other libraries’ content and catalogues, cataloging, classification, collection management, local and remote access and circulation/borrowing/reading/interlibrary loan, reference services, research and instruction, patron and subscriber relation management, management of scanned materials, periodicals, ebooks, rare materials and manuscripts.  
3- Conservation, restoration, digitization, and indexing/cataloguing: Restoration, preservation, conservation, digitization and bookbinding of rare and other endangered library materials including rare books, manuscripts, and historical documents, through the establishment of an on-site laboratory with modern chemical and mechanical technologies. 
4- Partnerships: Establishment of partnerships with relevant institutions across the world, for reinforcing the sustainability of the library’s functions and operations. These partnerships, in particular, aimed at facilitating the provision of international expert advice and support to capacity building as well as result in agreements on acquisitions of relevant up-to-date knowledge material and support library services. 

Long Description

B. Project outcomes and outputs

Below is an outline of the project results with the impact, outcomes and outputs of the project:

Impact: The Mosul University Library is recognized as a physical and virtual meeting place of educational and cultural inspiration, contributing to the rebirth of Iraqi civil society as an essential knowledge resource for students, teachers, staff, and community members.

Outcome 1: Restoration of the Mosul University Library to create a well-functioning and adequately equipped library, allowing access to quality sources of learning and education.

• Output 1.1: Enhanced Capacities of Mosul Library Staff in acquisitions, cataloguing, conservation, digitization, archive management, reference services, and communication.
• Output 1.2: Establishment of Mosul Library Management System

Outcome 2: Perception of Mosul University Library by the community as the main source of knowledge and information through existing references, recovered manuscripts, and a network of partners.

• Output 2.1: Restoration, Digitization, and Conservation of Manuscripts
• Output 2.2: Establishment of Partnerships with International Bodies

This evaluation is being conducted at the conclusion of the implementation period and aims to assess achievements, challenges, and opportunities for sustainability.

2. Purpose and Objectives

The independent external final evaluation will be summative in nature with formative dimensions. The key objectives of the evaluation include the following:

• Assess the project’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, coordination, and pathways to impact.
• Generate lessons learned and good practices.
• Inform future planning for similar projects, particularly in post-conflict higher education recovery.

Specific objectives:

• Review the project design, implementation, and outcomes.
• Assess the library’s accessibility and functionality.
• Evaluate the results of training and system implementation.
• Assess the success of digitization, restoration, and partnerships.

The evaluation findings will be used by UNESCO, the donor AICS, the University of Mosul, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) to inform future planning, policy, and programming.

3. Scope

I. Geographical Coverage

The project Targets the Central Library of Mosul University with benefits to the whole campus and other departmental libraries. The evaluation will be conducted in Erbil, and Mosul governorates in Iraq.

II. Target Groups

• University of Mosul faculty and library staff.
• Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
• Members of the Project’s Steering Committee.
• Library users from the University students, researchers and wider community.
• The Computer Data Center management. 
• Library’s management and technical committee.
• UNESCO staff involved in the project.

III. Evaluation Criteria & Questions

a. Relevance

• To what extent are the project’s objectives aligned with national higher education priorities?
• To what extent does the project align with relevant international standards and best practices in library restoration and higher education, such as the standards for libraries in higher education outlined by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and the standards of library development, services and access provided by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)?
• Does the project respond effectively to the needs of Mosul University and its community?
• Did the project design, and chosen approaches, as well as methodologies applied by the project address the development needs effectively?

b. Effectiveness

• To what extent were the planned outputs and outcomes achieved (training, system establishment, preservation, partnerships)?
• To what extent has the knowledge and skills gained from the training been applied in the daily operations of the library?
• To what extent was the library management and functionality improved by the project?

c. Efficiency

• Was the project implemented cost-effectively and on schedule?
• To what extent were resources (technical, financial, human) optimally utilized?

• Was the project implemented in the most efficient way compared to alternatives?

d. Coordination

• How effective was collaboration among stakeholders (UNESCO, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mosul University, Central Library)?
• To what extent were partnership mechanisms with external libraries and institutions effectively activated and maintained throughout the project?

e. Pathways to Impact

• In what ways has the project enhanced access to knowledge and educational resources for students, faculty, and the broader community?
• To what extent is the Mosul University Library functioning as a central hub for knowledge and information, facilitating academic and research activities?
• To what extent has the training program enhanced the capacity of the library staff in terms of their skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively manage and operate the library's systems and services?
• How did the project impact the wider campus community, including other libraries and students at Mosul University?

f. Sustainability

• What mechanisms are in place for sustaining library functions post-project?
• How accessible are the library's knowledge materials to users, and what measures are in place to ensure this accessibility is maintained?
• What long-term strategies have been developed for staffing and forming partnerships to ensure the library's ongoing operations and growth?
• How well-prepared is the library staff to transfer the knowledge and skills they have acquired to new staff members and other libraries within the university network?

4. Methodology

The evaluation will apply a mixed-methods approach harnessing both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, including:

• Desk review of project documents, results framework, narrative progress reports, training records, system reports, and monitoring data.
• Key informant interviews (UNESCO staff, university leadership, library staff, students and other relevant stakeholders, as needed).
• Focus group discussions with staff, students and other patrons.
• Field visits to Mosul University Library.
• Meetings with the project partners.
• Use of participatory and gender-sensitive methods.

The evaluation shall be conducted in line with United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation, UNEG Guidelines for Integrating Human Rights and Gender Equality in Evaluations and UNEG Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation, and the UNESCO evaluation manual.

The evaluation aims to review the project's log-frame, determine whether the project has met its objectives and outcomes to date. It will consider clear criteria, questions, information required, sources and methods. The determinants of performance, when calibrated, must be discussed with the project team. Evaluation tools such as interview questionnaires, observation checklists etc. may be developed to ensure how the information or data can be collected or retrieved from different stakeholders. Key-stakeholders’ review should be conducted with data quality assurance and privacy measures being stipulated.

On-site visit to project locations should be arranged in a timely fashion. An inception report will be submitted by the evaluator at the initial stage of this evaluation providing a detailed methodological approach.

As part of the qualitative data collection, the evaluation team is encouraged to consult with relevant regional or international institutions with experience in manuscript restoration and conservation, such as the Al-Aqsa Mosque Centre for the Restoration of Islamic Manuscripts in Jerusalem, to gather comparative insights and identify potential good practices.

The proposed period of the implementation of the evaluation will be from 25 November 2025 to 31 January 2026. The evaluation will include missions to Iraq including travel to Erbil, and to Mosul with the UNESCO team. 

5. Constraints and Considerations

• Security conditions in the region and Iraq specifically may affect travel and access.
• The strict regulations of the Ministry of Higher Education in relation to access to the University Campus must be considered to avoid access issues.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

The evaluation of the project “Restoring Mosul University Library” will be managed by the UNESCO Iraq Office. The evaluator will be responsible for his/her logistical needs, including international travel, accommodation, laptop, administrative support, meeting arrangements, data collection, and the dissemination and printing of evaluation tools such as questionnaires. However, UNESCO will facilitate travel arrangements from Erbil to Mosul and access to the project location, in coordination with local stakeholders. Office space in Mosul will be provided by UNESCO or project partners for the duration of the evaluator’s fieldwork. UNESCO’s team will support the evaluator by providing relevant documentation, contact information, and help schedule meetings with key stakeholders. The team will also review and provide feedback on the draft report and assist in sharing the final report with relevant stakeholders and partners for their comments.

Evaluation Reference Group

In line with external project evaluation best practices, and UNESCO guidelines, an evaluation reference group will be established to accompany the evaluation process and provide feedback on inception report, draft and final evaluation report. The reference group comprises members from UNESCO Field Office in Iraq, UNESCO regional evaluation associate, and project partners ــــ including MoHESR, UoM, AICS and other members of the project steering committee such as the Prime Minister Advisory Council (PMAC). The reference group shall liaise and meet with the evaluation team during the evaluation, as necessary.

7. Timeline and Deliverables

Period: 25 November 2025 – 31 January 2026

Tentative schedule

The tentative schedule of the deliverables is as follows:

1. Desk Review shall be submitted by the Evaluator by 25 November- 4 December 2025.
2. Inception Report shall be submitted by the Evaluator by 10 December 2025
3. Field Work & Data Collection shall be submitted by the Evaluator by 11 December 2025 – 5 January 2026.
4. Draft Evaluation Report shall be submitted by the Evaluator by 15 January 2026.
5. Comments on Draft shall be submitted by UNESCO by 25 January 2026.
6. Final Evaluation Report shall be submitted by the Evaluator by 29 January 2026

Deliverables:

The evaluation will have three main deliverables (to be written in English): an inception report, a draft evaluation report, and a final evaluation report. These deliverables are the responsibility of the external evaluator, with inputs and feedback from UNESCO.

The final evaluation report (maximum 30 pages, excluding annexes) shall be prepared in English and include the following elements:

• Executive Summary (maximum 5 pages) capturing key findings, conclusions, and lessons learned
• Background and description of the project
• Evaluation purpose and scope
• Methodology
• Findings
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
• Lessons learned
• Annexes (e.g., TOC, list of stakeholders consulted, key documents reviewed, interview protocols, data collection tools, pictures, etc.)

In addition, communication materials will be discussed and agreed upon during the inception phase, based on intended audiences and available resources.

Furthermore, the consultant should also provide a concise summary version of the evaluation report (2–3 pages) presenting a shorter overview of the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations, to facilitate effective communication with various stakeholders.

8. Additional clarification on the report content:

• A description and assessment of the project’s intervention logic and the evaluation framework based on the criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coordination, impact, and sustainability.
• A clear and concise synthesis of findings across the evaluation criteria listed above.
• An explanation of the financial and human resources made available to the project, their timeliness and use in line with the project agreement(s), and any changes in government or institutional support.
• Recommendations on how to improve project delivery and design based on the evaluation criteria.
• The final report must comply with the UNEG Evaluation Norms and Standards and will be assessed against the UNEG Quality Checklist for Evaluation Reports by an external reviewer, and UNESCO checklist of evaluation reports from UNESCO’s evaluation manual. The evaluation should refer to the UNEG Guidance on Integrating Human Rights and Gender Equality in Evaluation.

9. Required Qualifications

Academic Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in education, library science, or a related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 10 years in evaluation of large-scale projects, preferably in post-conflict contexts.
• Expertise in higher education, digitization, library systems, or heritage restoration.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Experience in Iraq or MENA region preferred.
• Commitment to UN values of non-discrimination based on race, gender, economic status, or religion.

Long Description

Language Requirements:

Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English & Arabic is required.

Application Process

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”  ,then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information in English:
* Upon completing the Word file with all the requested information below, upload the file at the “My Employment History Form / My Documents” section of the online application form.
Only applications with the below requested information will be considered.

1- A Technical Written proposal (2-3 Pages Maximum) consisting of:
• Comments on the Terms of Reference, if any (in brief);
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV), and a statement indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
• A cover letter outlining their relevant experience and proposal /approach to the assignment.
• A description of your proposed approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment.
• Examples of previous work related to undertaking assignment
• A work plan with detailed milestones and key deliverables/activities
• List of work assignments and/or THREE (03) contacts as references – to be filled and returned to UNESCO as part of the submission.
2-A Financial proposal in US dollars. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately. Please design the payment scheme against a clear and specific set of deliverables and milestones as reflected in the work plan.

Reference materials:

• Restoring the Mosul Library project webpage
• UNESCO's post on the first Steering Committee meeting
• UNESCO's publication on the "Revive the Spirit of Mosul" Initiative
• UNESCO's post on the organized training workshops for the library staff
• UNESCO's post on the Celebration of the World Book Day
• UNESCO's post on the collaboration visit to the Sacred Abbasid Shrine

• UNESCO's media coverage of the collaboration visit to the Sacred Abbasid Shrine
• UNESCO's post on the second Steering Committee Meeting
• UNESCO's post on the Training of Trainers
• UNESCO's post on the ToT second and third modules
• UNESCO and the Central Library's post on the Restoration and Preservation Training

• Central Library's post on the project meetings
• Central Library Post on the ToT training 
• UNESCO's post on the Training by Master Trainers to 40 participants
• Facebook post on the restoration, maintenance and preservation of the library's rare materials
• Participation in Erbil International Book Fair - Partnerships for building library collections

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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