ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Senior Evaluation Officer (P4) post is situated in the Evaluation Service in UNHCR Headquarters Geneva. Working under the supervision of the Head of Service, the post will focus specifically on strengthening the evaluation function in UNHCR, with a more rigorous and consistent evaluation quality assurance. This both at centralized levels, for evaluations commissioned by the Evaluation Service, as well as at decentralized level for evaluations commissioned by other UNHCR entities. This will require contributing to the development of guidelines and 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 will also include UNHCR¿s contributions to inter-agency evaluation initiatives and thereby require 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 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.
• Institutional knowledge, understanding and ‚culture‘ of evaluation is strengthened.

Responsibility

• Develop evaluation guidance and tools in key areas of the evaluation function.
• Develop and initiate policy development for the evaluation function especially in key areas such as quality assurance.
• 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 evaluation manager for evaluations commissioned by ES.

Authority

• Issue guidance and instructions to contractors, consultants and experts commissioned to undertake ES evaluations.
• Under the guidance of the Head of ES, represent UNHCR at external meetings and fora on evaluation.
• Represent ES in evaluation-related training, workshop and staff capacity development activities.
• Inter-act with appropriate UNHCR entities with respect to the design, commissioning and management of the evaluation cycle.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Advanced University Degree (i.e. Masters or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Economics, or Law.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, of which at least eight years directly related to evaluations in humanitarian and/or development operations, programmes and projects.
• Formal qualification or certification in evaluation work.
• Proven track record as an evaluator of humanitarian or development operations, programmes and projects with an international organisation, NGO or consulting company.
• Demonstrated expertise of evaluation standards, norms and good practices.
• Field experience in a humanitarian or development organization in a monitoring and evaluation role or research capacity
• Good understanding of quantitative and qualitative methods, statistics and evidence-based evaluation.
• Knowledge of (inter-agency) humanitarian system and programmes, both in refugee as well as IDP-settings, in different geographical locations and operational contexts.
• Excellent analytical skills
• Advanced communication and representational skills.
• Fluency in English, and the ability to write for publication with minimal editorial supervision.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Good grasp of UNHCR refugee protection mandate, as well as its role and responsibilities for protection within the IASC cluster approach.
• Advanced research skills and capacity
• Working knowledge in a second UN language.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are requested to apply at www.unhcr.org/carees by clicking on Vacancies and entering job ID 24502.

Closing date: 2 February 2021 (midnight Geneva time).

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

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.