UNDP Jobs - 50675- Evaluation Specialist

Evaluation Specialist

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2015

Application Deadline :

24-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year, with possible extension

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year, with possible extension

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

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) works to enhance the development effectiveness of UNDP to help men and women build a better life. IEO strengthens accountability and learning through evaluation and partnership. The mandated responsibility of IEO is to support the Administrator in his substantive accountability function and to contribute to organizational learning.

IEO is also a member of the UN Evaluation Group (UNEG), which is the professional network that brings togeteher the units responsible for evaluation in the UN System. Accordingly IEO must use the UNEG approved compteneices while hiring Evaluators for any available post.

IEO 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 Independent 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 Specialist is a member of the IEO team with responsibilities for conducting and managing evaluation, including frequent missions accordingly.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Conduct and/or manage evaluations that are impartial, independent, credible and meet professional standards;
Promote 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 Independent Evaluation Office.

Core responsibilities:

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

Carry out evaluations of programmes and policies;
Supervise effectively evaluation work undertaken by consultants;
Apply high professional standards in line with Evaluation Policy and UN Evaluation Norms & Standards;
Apply evaluation quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis tools, techniques and approaches;
Keep abreast of developments in the area of evaluation;
Cooperate with other UN evaluation units and professional evaluation bodies.

Promote the use of evaluations and follow up on evaluation findings and recommendations:

Report to Independent Evaluation Office management on findings and recommendations of evaluations;
Organize meetings, workshops and other discussion fora to establish a dialogue on evaluation results (recommendations/ lessons learned);
Promote dissemination of lessons and knowledge sharing from evaluations.

Promote the evaluation function in the organization:

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

Effectively deploy human and financial resources of the Independent Evaluation Office:

Plan evaluations and prepare evaluation budgets for individual evaluations;
Manage effectively and efficiently the use of resources for evaluations;
Select evaluation consultants based on post requirements.

The Evaluation Specialist will perform other related duties and assignments as and when requested by Independent Evaluation Office management.

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 Focus Areas.

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 detailed understanding of the Agency, funds and programs and the distinctions between them;
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.

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.

Functional Competencies:

Technical and professional skills:

Evaluation design:

Has the required competencies to develop well-focused Terms of Reference that includes a complete background, addresses salient issues, and identifies potential impact, with minimal guidance;
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, with minimal guidance;
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 the technical skill to conduct both quantitative and qualitative analysis;
Has a good understanding of questionnaire design and is able to develop questionnaires and other review instruments that will address issues identified in the design, independently;
Masters effective interviewing skills and is able to conduct interviews independently;
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.

Oral and written communication skills:

Has the required competencies to: articulate relevant subject matter in a clear and concise way; pose basic questions and contribute information appropriately in formal settings; effectively use appropriate support items, including charts, graphs, audio-visual techniques, and hand-outs; conceptualize ideas and issues during the evaluation reporting process; and use 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 that meet UNEG reporting standards, with minimal guidance.

Evaluation process 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 an 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;
Has skills to negotiate outside the agency on issues related to evaluations and conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Sociology, International Relations, Political Science, or any other related social sciences.

Experience:

At least 7 years of international development experience;
At least 5 years of those in development evaluation/research experience;
Knowledge of specialized software applied to evaluation, including IT knowledge to establish and maintain databases and tracking systems;
Training experience in evaluation planning, design and methodologies;
Experience in both managing and carrying out evaluations;
Experience with evaluations in or for UN organizations, other multi-lateral and bilateral development organizations;
Deep knowledge of current development issues and of evaluation approaches, processes and methodologies is essential.

Language:

Working language is English;
Fluency in other official UN languages is advantageous.