Senior Evaluation Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Senior Evaluation Officer post is situated in the Evaluation Service (ES) in UNHCR Headquarters Geneva. Working under the supervision of the ES Head of Service, the post focuses explicitly on operational aspects of evaluation work. This requires contributing to the technical support for both centralized and decentralized evaluation, and to the design, commissioning, management and follow up of a range of different types of evaluative work undertaken by the Service. It includes UNHCR’s contributions to inter-agency evaluation initiatives and thereby requires interaction with key external actors in the UN agency, donor, NGO and wider evaluation communities.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

•  Methodologies, procedures and process of the evaluation function are improved through the management cycle (design, commissioning, management, and follow up)

•  Improvements to technical aspects (quantitative and qualitative) of evaluation work are provided in a timely fashion
•  The quality of contributions provided to inter-agency evaluative initiatives and processes is improved.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Oversee the successful completion and oversight of evaluations and reviews.

•  Enhanced technical support and guidance to UNHCR staff at Headquarters and the field involved with evaluative work.

•  Enhance the technical quality of UNHCR’s evaluation methodologies, tools, and procedures.

•  Contribute to the improvement of more evidence based evaluation work.

• Act as task manager for designated evaluations and reviews commissioned by the Service.

•  Contribute to the development of follow up mechanisms for evaluation recommendations.

•  Provide guidance and training in evaluation work to UNHCR staff at headquarters and in the field.

•  Contribute to evaluation reports, publications and other written material produced by ES.

•  Develop networks and associations with other evaluation communities to enhance internal knowledge management and expertise.

•  Respond to requests for details of the ES evaluation work programme and activities.

• Inter-act with appropriate UNHCR entities with respect to the design, commissioning and management of the evaluation cycle and Work Programme.

•  Participate in conferences, workshops, and seminars relevant to UNHCR’s evaluation work. 

AUTHORITY

•  Take action to ensure the quality and timely delivery of ES evaluation work.

•  Provide appropriate instructions and guidance to contractors, consultants, and experts commissioned to undertake ES evaluation work.

•  Represent UNHCR at external meetings on evaluation.
  
  

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

•  Advanced University degree (i.e. Masters or equivalent) in the social sciences, economics or law.

•  Minimum 8 years of relevant professional working experience.

•  Proven track record as an evaluator of humanitarian or development operations, programmes and projects.

•  Experience with a range of evaluation purposes, objectives and methodologies.

•  Knowledge of UNHCR programmes and other humanitarian operations in a variety of geographical locations.

•  Advanced analytical, diplomatic, representational and communications skills.

•  Complete fluency in English and the ability to write for publication with minimal editorial supervision.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

•  Formal qualification or certification in evaluation work.

•  Substantial field experiecne in a humanitairan or development context.

•  Ability to work in a second UN language.

APPLICATION

Interested candidates should submit their application to the Non-Specific Profile (ID 13233), highlighting in the Letter of Interest that they are applying to Senior Evaluation Officer Temporary Appointment.

Deadline for applications: 18th November (midnight Geneva time).

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.