Regional Evaluation Associate at UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Task description

• Under the direct guidance of the Head of Evaluation/ Evaluation Specialist in the UNESCO HQ Evaluation Office the UNV Evaluation Specialist will engage in below areas of work.
• The specific distribution of tasks of individual REOs will vary by region, depending on the Evaluation Office workplan and specific regional needs, demand, and number of evaluations.

Support to strengthening decentralized evaluation systems

• Provide advice to Field Offices (FOs) commissioning decentralized evaluations to support adherence to evaluation quality standards. This includes support and quality assurance during all evaluation stages: evaluation planning, implementation and use
• Monitor and follow-up on Evaluation Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the region
• Ensure application of UNESCO Evaluation Policy, Evaluation Manual and related guidance through review and quality check of decentralized evaluation products (TOR, evaluation inception report, evaluation report)
• Support to identifying and recruiting external evaluation teams
• Manage or co-manage major decentralized evaluations: regional, thematic, UNESCO Country Programmes etc.
• In coordination with UNESCO Bureau for Strategic Planning (BSP) and Field Office M&E staff, support project/ programme design from evaluability perspective through review of results frameworks, indicators, baselines, Theories of Change, decentralized evaluation budgets etc.
• Provide inputs to the HQ Evaluation Office on corporate reports such as the IOS Annual Report and the annual Synthesis Report

Strengthen evaluation capacity development

• Contribute to strengthening of evaluation capacity across the region through evaluation trainings and webinars, presentations and briefings tailored to regional/ country-specific learning needs
• Provide individual support and coaching to evaluation managers and M&E colleagues in the region throughout the evaluation process
• Actively participate in the Evaluation Focal Point (EFP) network and foster engagement from other EFPs in the region
• Keep abreast of and share knowledge about innovations and developments in the field of evaluation and external evaluation trainings/ events in the region incl. regional evaluation conferences
• Support FOs on any other evaluation-related issues

Promote the use of evaluations/ evaluation knowledge management

• Facilitate the use and learning from evaluation at regional and country level through developing and disseminating evaluation knowledge products e.g. regional evaluation synthesis summaries, regional evaluation newsletters etc.
• Review new draft project and programme documents and ensure they are grounded on evaluation evidence
• Organize evaluation learning/ knowledge sharing events in the region
• Oversee the completion and follow-up of evaluation management responses for decentralized evaluations

Promote UN coordination on evaluation

• Partner with regional evaluation staff of other UN agencies to establish processes for effective commissioning and management of UNSDCF and joint evaluations that support delivery of the 2030 Agenda
• Establish regional partnerships with UN agencies and other regional partners including regional and national evaluation associations/ Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs)
• In partnership with other UN agencies, contribute to national evaluation capacity development efforts at country and regional levels

Age: 27 - 80

Required experience

• 7 years of experience in experience in monitoring and evaluation, and proven knowledge of Results-Based Management (RB) frameworks and tools.
• Strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methodologies and data collection instruments.
• Proven ability to provide technical support, quality assurance, and promote a culture of learning from evaluation.
• Knowledge of evaluation ethics and United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards.
• Good knowledge of the UN system, programmes, and operations.
• Substantive knowledge of Human Rights and Gender Equality issues would be an asset.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally in a challenging environment and effectively in a multicultural team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including analytical, drafting, formulation, and reporting.
• Solid computer literacy, proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word), email/internet, database management, and office technology.
• Keen interest in professional development within the national evaluation capacity framework.
• Previous work experience and familiarity with (the respective region).

Required education level

• Master degree or equivalent in social sciences, international relations, development, public health, statistics, political sciences, economics, management or other relevant discipline.
• Training or certification in monitoring and evaluation (e.g., IPDET, CLEAR) is an advantage.

Competencies and values

• Communication
• Accountability
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
• Planning and organizing
• Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision
• Results focus
• Teamwork
• Driving and managing change
• Leading and empowering others
• Building partnerships
• Innovation
• Strategic thinking