Evaluation Officer, (NOB), Regional Office for South Asia, Kathmandu, Nepal # 91184 (Only for Nepalese Nationals)

One of the key accountabilities for UNICEF’s Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) is to provide support and oversight for evaluations. Facilitate the evaluation function’s smooth functioning in South Asia by taking the lead in the performance monitoring and knowledge management aspects.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

How can you make a difference?

In June 2018, UNICEF's Executive Board approved the revised Evaluation Policy of UNICEF. This policy sets out the purpose and use of evaluation in UNICEF, provides definitions, norms and standards and outlines governance arrangements and accountabilities as well as performance standards for the evaluation function.

1. Performance Monitoring

Monitor and regularly report on the evaluation function's performance in the region per set standards and norms outlined in the revised Evaluation Policy, Regional Evaluation Strategy and other guidance available. 

1. 1. Ensure evaluation-related information specific to South Asia on UNICEF's Evidence Information System Initiative (EISI) is accurate and updated quarterly. Liaise with offices in the region as well as the Evaluation Office (EO) to address issues they arise.
   2. Track performance of the evaluation function in the region vis-à-vis the global Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) maintained in the Global Evaluation Dashboard and Performance Scorecards, both of which are on InSight. Ensure accurate information relating to the evaluation function in South Asia is reported on both platforms.
   3. Identify and regularly gather data on a set of additional regional KPIs. These would include indicators that are not already part of the global KPIs but are critical to the smooth function of the evaluation function in South Asia considering the specific corporate requirements laid out in the revised Evaluation Policy as well as the commitments made in the Regional Evaluation Workplan. For example, the regional KPIs could cover the fulfilment of Costed Evaluation Plans (CEPs) commitments and Country Programme Evaluations (CPEs).

2. Knowledge Management

Produce and regularly share analytical insights related to the state and performance of the evaluation function in the region, including successes, challenges and potential solutions. Facilitate the exchange of evaluation-related knowledge between evaluation and programme colleagues in the region as well as beyond to promote synergistic collaboration. 

1. 1. Prepare regional profiles of the evaluation function pulling information from EISI, InSight, the regional KPIs and other sources highlighting key things to look out for in the horizon – on a biannual basis as well as before key moments of strategic reflection such as Regional Management Team (RMT) meetings.
   2. Prepare briefs, including a bi-monthly newsletter, for different audiences on topics relating to the evaluation function in South Asia as well as lessons, conclusions and recommendations from country-specific, multi-country and regional evaluations, for dissemination and use.
   3. Develop and maintain an evaluation-related SharePoint site to share relevant evaluation related information including regional plans, milestones and events – across internal stakeholders.
   4. Organise quarterly Skype-based regional evaluation network calls, developing participatory agendas and minuting discussions, and keep the evaluation network abreast of important regional and global developments.

3. Systemic Strengthening

Help strengthen the region's evaluation function systemically by supporting the Regional Adviser Evaluation to make appropriate structural improvements that will enable Country Offices (COs) to meet or exceed their evaluation-related accountabilities.

1. 1. Support the processes of bidding and managing UNICEF's LTAs for the conduct, quality assurance and ethical review of evaluations. Update regularly the compendium of Long Term Agreements (LTAs) that support evaluation work done by UNICEF.
   2. Support the development of, and maintain region-specific guidance on, a range of topics critical to the fulfilment of the evaluation function's accountabilities in the region: Country Program Evaluations (CPEs), Costed Evaluation Plans (CEPs), Evaluability Assessments, the one per cent requirement, model standard operating procedures (SOPs) for country offices on evaluation planning, management and use. 
   3. Support evaluation capacity development activities at the country and regional levels, including the design and delivery of training curricula. Organise periodic peer learning events for the country and regional office participants on evaluation-related lessons, including on approaches, methods and good practices.
   4. Maintain a help desk function - map and guide colleagues to evaluation-related information on policies, strategies, standards, norms, processes, systems, governance mechanisms, systems and tools.

4. Evaluation planning and management

1. Support COs in developing their annual Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Plans (IMEPs) - especially by ensuring accurate categorisation, realistic completion dates and inclusion of commitments and outlined in the revised Evaluation Policy. Compile and upload in EISI ROSA's annual IMEP in coordination with programmes.
2. Manage ROSA's evaluation quality assurance for South Asia, ensuring overall coordination, maintaining records of performance; acting as a bridge between the consultants and COs in South Asia; monitoring the quality of the reviews and taking the initiative in further strengthening the review templates.
3. Under the guidance of the Regional Evaluation Advisor provide technical support to the UNICEF countries in South Asia on the conceptualisation and conduct of high-quality evaluations during key strategic moments of the evidence-generation process, i.e. drafting of the terms of references, inception reports/research protocols and draft final reports.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A university degree in Economics, Statistics and other relevant fields in the social sciences.
• A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience at national or international levels in evaluation along with programme performance monitoring and knowledge management.
• Developing country work experience and familiarity with developing country contexts is desirable.

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are:

• • Analyzing [II]
  • Applying Technical Expertise [II]
  • Formulating Strategies and Concept [I]
  • Planning and organising [II]

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has recently become the first United Nations agency to be awarded the EDGE certification – the leading global standard for gender equality in the workplace. UNICEF’s commitment to EDGE reaffirms our pledge to gender equality and inclusion all UNICEF staff worldwide.

This certification recognizes UNICEF’s commitment to achieving significant milestones in gender equality for all its staff, including strong gender balance at all levels of the organization, pay equity, a solid framework of policies and practices, and an inclusive workplace culture.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.