Senior Evaluation Specialist, P4, Geneva

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Evaluation Specialist (P4) post is situated in the UNHCR Geneva. Working under the leadership of the Head of Office, the post will be part of the HQ evaluation capacity to lead on planning and delivery of centralised evaluations within the Organisation (including the development of evaluation ToRs, procurement and contract management of evaluation services, and providing quality assurance of evaluation deliverables); Directly participate in centralised evaluation processes at the Organisational level as required; Support the design and delivery of UNHCR evaluation-related capacity building efforts; and, Support divisions, bureaux and other entities to identify key evidence gaps and priorities, and develop appropriate evaluative strategies and plans to address these.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Specifically for this position, ensure that methodologies, procedures and process of the evaluation function are improved throughout the evaluation cycle (design, commissioning, management and follow-up). Technical aspects (both quantitative and qualitative) of evaluations commissioned by UNHCR are improved through expert advice and guidance.

Duties
– Institutional knowledge, understanding and ‘culture’ of evaluation is strengthened.
– Develop evaluation guidance and tools in key areas of the evaluation function.
– Enhance the technical quality of UNHCR’s evaluation methodologies, tools and procedures.
– Provide direction and input for workshops/staff development activities related to evaluation, both targeting staff at Headquarters and in the field, including through assuming the role of facilitator or resource person for training events.
– Support the Head of ES in establishing strengthened evaluation policies and procedures, both within ES as well for evaluations, commissioned by other entities in UNHCR (“decentralized” evaluations”).
– Provide guidance and expert advice on evaluations, commissioned by UNHCR Divisions, Regional Bureaux and/or Regional and Country Representatives, and engage in quality assurance activities.
– Participate in conferences, seminars, and workshops relevant to UNHCR’s evaluation work
– Contribute to the improvement of more evidence-based evaluations
– Act as the task manager for evaluations commissioned by ES.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4 – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Social Sciences; Economics; International Development
Public Policy; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Research & Evaluation Methods;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrable institutional knowledge of the UN, and in particular of UNHCR¿s protection mandate and operational role. Demonstrable experience and knowledge of humanitarian response and coordination, ideally specifically related to refugee response. Demonstrable expertise of evaluation norms and standards. At least 5 years applied research or M&E related experience in field contexts, ideally including in refugee response contexts. Good knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methods/approaches, statistics, data collection tools and analytical approaches. Experience of leading and managing evaluation processes, including ideally managing multi-disciplinary teams with variable evaluation experience. Experience of working with and influencing senior decision makers, including in delivering challenging, or potentially contested, key messages. Experience in developing and/or delivering M&E or evaluation-related capacity building content. Experience of building effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Fluency in English and excellent English-language drafting and report-writing skills (to publication standard) is essential.

Desirable
Formal qualification or certification in evaluation work. Substantial experience in a humanitarian or development context. Experience of conveying complex information clearly and compellingly through the use of visual media for a range of audiences (i.e. using data visualisation tools).

Functional Skills
SO-Research
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
IM-Statistics Analysis
EL-Evaluation of humanitarian operations
MG-Policy Development, Evaluation, Research, Publication
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and another UN Language.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

Desired Candidate Profile

– Proven track record of managing large and complex humanitarian or development evaluations
– Evidential leadership and managerial skills to ensure supervision, management and quality control of complex projects with a range of stakeholders, including teams of consultants.
– Possess strong networking and relationship building expertise to work effectively with staff in UNHCR operations, persons that we serve, UN and multilateral agencies, Government, NGOs, and academic institutions;
• Be capable of establishing an enabling working environment in complex and difficult circumstances; be pro-active in anticipating and managing stakeholders (internal and external);
• Possess strong logical modelling skills, and methodological expertise and experience in quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and analysis approaches.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
• Have expertise in coaching, capacity building, mentoring and facilitating;
• Lead the design and timely management of global independent strategic, thematic and/or Level 3 Emergency Response Evaluations
– Deploy on mission as needed, notably scoping and draft report/ recommendation co-creation phases to build stakeholder involvement and ensure products are developed to standard
– Lead the dissemination and follow-up activities on global and/or L3 Emergency Response Evaluations
– Contribute to strengthening the global normative evaluation framework, including the revision of policies, strategies and procedures
– Enhance the technical quality of UNHCR’s evaluation approaches, methodologies and tools
Lead, where requested, the updating of technical evaluation guidelines and capacity development products and services
– Contribute to the preparation of other technical evaluation products including evaluation syntheses
– Lead and participate in the selection and procurement of quality evaluation services (evaluation firms and individual consultants)
– Participate in conferences, workshops, and seminars relevant to UNHCR’s evaluation work and contribute to UN professional evaluation practice through active participation in UN Evaluation Group working groups and events.
– Provide technical continuity and advice on specialist evaluation areas to rotational colleagues

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

French

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Snr Evaluation Officer position is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Snr Evaluation Officer will report to the D1, Head of Evaluation Service in HQs, Geneva. Evaluation is a growing function in the Organization. This is reflected in its engagement with operations, increased professional staffing, budget and output. The evaluations undertaken are overarching and contribute to the overall functioning of the Organization. As a Senior Evaluation Officer the incumbent must: – possess leadership, organizational and managerial skills to ensure supervision, oversight and management of complex projects with consultants, firms and multiple stakeholders – possess strong networking and relationship building expertise to work effectively with staff in UNHCR operations, UN agencies, NGOs and academic institutions; be capable of establishing an enabling working environment in complex and difficult circumstances; be pro-active in anticipating and managing stakeholders (internal and external); – be able to travel on missions to remote field locations with challenging working conditions and security concerns; – communicate effectively, orally and in writing, – have expertise in coaching, capacity building, mentoring and facilitating; – Experience in Inter-Agency and UN system engagement is essential for the position.

Living and Working Conditions:

Geneva is family duty station with all medical and educational facilities.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, DM-Data Collection and Analysis, EL-Evaluation design and methodologies, EL-Evaluation of humanitarian operations, MG-Policy Development, Evaluation, Research, Publication, SO-Research

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Research and Evaluation Methods – Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Policy research & development, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B – October 2023

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance