UNDP Jobs - 42106- Evaluation Advisor

Evaluation Advisor

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

03-Mar-2014

Application Deadline :

03-Jan-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year, with possible renewal

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year, with possible renewal

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Organizational Context

The Evaluation Office (EO) works to enhance the development effectiveness of UNDP to help men and women build a better life. EO strengthens accountability and learning through evaluation and partnership. The mandated responsibility of EO is to support the Administrator in his substantive accountability function and to contribute to organizational learning. EO provides systematic and independent assessment of results, effectiveness and impact of the substantive activities of the programme, including the special purpose funds under the Administrator’s responsibilities. The Evaluation Office conducts strategic, thematic, programmatic and country level evaluations. It assures the quality and use of UNDP evaluations by establishing norms, standards and guidelines and by knowledge sharing and networking. The Office advances innovation in development evaluation through a global partnership. The Evaluation Advisor is a member of the EO team with managerial, supervisory and task management responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Conduct and/or manage evaluations that are impartial, independent, credible and meet professional standards;
Ensure that evaluations are useful and that evaluation findings and recommendations are followed up;
Promote the evaluation function in the Organization;
Effectively deploy human and financial resources of the Evaluation Office.

Core responsibilities:

Conduct and/or manage evaluations that are impartial, independent, credible and meet professional standards.

Carry out evaluations of complex programmes, policies and cross-cutting themes and lead evaluation teams;
Supervise effectively evaluations conducted by staff members and consultants;
Ensure that evaluations meet high professional standards in line with Evaluation Policy and UN Evaluation Norms & Standards;
Keep abreast of developments in the area of evaluation;
Ensure that up-to-date evaluation techniques and approaches are applied;
Cooperate with other UN evaluation units and professional evaluation bodies.

Ensure that evaluations are useful and that evaluation recommendations are actionable:

Report to Evaluation Office on recommendations and lessons learned of strategic importance;
Organize meetings, workshops and other discussion forum to establish a dialogue on evaluation results (recommendations/ lessons learned);
Ensure that evaluation results taken into account for the design and appraisal of strategies, policies and new projects/programmes.

Promote the evaluation function in the Organization:

Provide training on evaluation with in the Evaluation Office and in other organizational units, as determined by Evaluation Office management;
Contribute to the development and review of policies, guidance, systems, procedures and tools related to evaluation.

Effectively deploy human and financial resources of the Evaluation Office:

Contribute to developing the work programme of the Evaluation Office;
Contribute to planning the human and financial resources needed for a fully operational evaluation function;
Supervise and coach staff and assist in management of Evaluation Office.

The Evaluation Officer will perform other related duties and assignments as and when required.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of UNDP’s interventions and activities in achieving UNDP mandate at the country levels; Effective implementation of evaluation policies and strategies, as well as efficient management of the evaluation process; Enhance the organization’s capacity and credibility to provide leadership and high-quality technical advice on the formulation of innovative programme strategies and projects which address specific needs of the country in the UNDP areas of work.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Knowledge of UN context and topics:

Has a detailed knowledge of the role of the UN and its components and the Agency’s relationship with the UN;
Has a good knowledge of key UN topics;
Has competencies to provide supervision to evaluation staff in the evaluation of topic-related activities, projects and programmes;
Has a comprehensive knowledge of the Agency’s budget, familiarity with major program budgets, and good knowledge of inspection topic budgets.

Ethics:

Acts according to the standards of ethical conduct for evaluators, including policies on receiving and giving gifts, conflicting financial interests, outside employment and activities, misuse of position, impartiality in performing official duties and related statutory authorities;
Acts with integrity and honesty in relationships with all stakeholders. Provides role modelling and advice to evaluation staff.

Functional Competencies:

Technical and professional skills:
Evaluation design:

Has the required competencies to develop a well-focused Terms of Reference that includes a complete background, addresses salient issues, and identifies potential impact;
Has a good understanding of various methodologies in evaluation, such as surveys, record reviews, focus groups and case studies and is able to contribute to the development of the most efficient and effective methodology for the design;
Has a good understanding of various sampling techniques and their applications and is able to develop the most accurate sampling technique for the methodology.

Data collection and analysis:

Has the required competencies to collect reliable, valid and accurate information in an objective way;
Has a good understanding of questionnaire design;
Develops questionnaires and other review instruments that will address issues identified in the design, independently;
Has a comprehensive understanding of the uses and limits of various methods available for quantitative analysis, including frequencies, cross tabulations, and statistical testing;
Masters effective interviewing skills;
Has the skills to use programme data and documents and to design and conduct case studies independently;
Is able to guide and direct junior staff in data collection and to ensure the data analysis addresses evaluation issues;
Can use innovative and creative analysis techniques and exercise sound professional judgment on complex issues and evaluation matters.

Oral and written communication skills:

Articulate relevant subject matter in a clear and concise way;
Pose basic questions and contribute information appropriately in formal settings; conceptualize ideas and issues during the evaluation reporting process, with independence;
Uses critical thinking to formulate findings and recommendations based on the results of both qualitative and quantitative data, and the broader context of evaluation issues;
Is able to develop clear, concise and compelling evaluation reports for maximum impact;
Is able to independently develop evaluation reports that meet UNEG reporting standards;
Is able to guides and direct evaluation staff in reporting.

Evaluation process and project management:

Masters the skills of evaluation management, including developing a plan and schedule, assigning tasks, ensuring milestones are met on a timely basis, ensuring project costs are within and approved budget and ensuring evaluation objectives are adequately addressed;
Is able to independently assume responsibility for managing complex evaluation projects and to supervise evaluation team members;
Is able to oversee and lead overall evaluation follow-up and take the lead on disseminating best practices and lessons learned from evaluations;
Has the skills to manage multiple, concurrent evaluation projects and to negotiate in complex situations outside the agency on issues related to evaluations and conflict resolution skills. Is able to take a leadership role in the evaluation office and maintains accountability for office work.

Management:

Has competencies in coaching and training staff on technical, interpersonal and management skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Sociology, International Relations, Political Science, or any other related social sciences;
Deep knowledge of current development issues and of evaluation methodologies and approaches is essential.

Experience:

At least ten years of international development experience;
At least 7 years of development evaluation/research experience;
Knowledge of specialized software applied to evaluation, including IT knowledge to establish and maintain databases and tracking systems;
Training in evaluation planning, design and methodologies;
Experience in both managing and carrying out evaluations;
Experience with designing and conducting complex evaluations of development results at outcome or aggregate national level in or for UN organizations, other multi-lateral and bilateral development organizations.

Language Requirements:

Working language is English.
Fluency in Spanish and/or French or other UN official language is strongly advantageous.