Principal Evaluation Specialist

OVERVIEW

Post Number : IOS 002

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Internal Oversight Service (IOS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Management/Audit/Oversight

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 16-AUG-2024

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the authority of Director of the Internal Oversight Service (IOS) and the supervision of the Head of Evaluation, the incumbent will assist the IOS Evaluation Office’s (IOS-EV) efforts in providing evaluation driven evidence-based advice on improvement of UNESCO’s activities/programmes/projects as per scheduled long-term (C/4) and short-term (C/5) evaluation plans.

 

The Principal Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for the Evaluation Office’s contribution to the evaluation of activities financed from regular and extrabudgetary sources.

 

In particular, the incumbent will: 

• Manage highly complex and politically sensitive in-depth evaluations at programmatic, organizational and strategic level whilst ensuring evaluations are carried out in an impartial, objective and credible manner following UN standards and rules, UNEG Norms and Standards and the UNESCO Evaluation Policy.
• Promote an evaluation practice that integrates human rights, environmental and gender responsive approaches as well as innovative approaches which support the utilisation of evaluation results;
• Contribute to the evaluation capacity building efforts with internal and external stakeholders, including online and in-person delivery of different types of capacity development efforts in Field Offices and at HQ.
• Be responsible for oversight of implementation of evaluation recommendations and appropriate integration of lessons learned in programme activities of the Organization;
• Be responsible for providing advice and backstopping to decentralized evaluations in a portfolio of UNESCO Field Offices (FOs);
• Directly manage one Regional Evaluation Associate posted in a UNESCO Regional Office;
• Be responsible for communicating evaluation findings and recommendations in the most adequate format and via the most adequate channels to the different audiences, including intergovernmental bodies.
• Support communication with internal and external stakeholders, including the development of a wide range of dedicated communication products related to the work of the IOS Evaluation Office.
• Contribute to the elaboration of performance indicators and measures during the preparation of its major planning and programming documents, and subsequent reporting.

Long Description

• Contribute to continuous methodological improvements and the development of evaluation guidelines and procedures;
• Be responsible for the design and update of training modules/guidance material;
• Contribute to the improvement and management of the Organizations’s knowledge repository of evaluation of regular and extrabudgetary activities.
• Participate in the recruitment of staff, consultants, interns, etc. and manage the supervision to junior staff of the Section.

Long Description
Long Description
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Communication (C)
Accountability (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
Strategic thinking (M)
Making quality decisions (M)
Managing performance (M)
Leading and empowering others (M)
Driving and managing change (M)
Building partnerships (M)
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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social sciences or related field.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in programme and project evaluation of relevance to UNESCO’s programming and policy-making, of which preferably three (3) years acquired at international level.

 

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Proven project/programme management and coordination;
• Proven team coordination and people management skills;
• Strong communication skills in an intercultural context;
• Ability to present to a high level audiences including governing body committees;
• Proven ability to work independently and with minimum supervision;
• Strong analytical and writing skills and ability to establish links between the Organization strategies and the achievement of the IOS objectives and to identify key issues and opportunities;
• Proven strong people skills;
• Good level of IT skills (MS Office, use and maintenance of database and tracking system, web-based applications);
• Result-oriented approach and willingness to learn.
• Ability be conversant with data analytics.

 

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION
•    Academic background in evaluation principles and practices with a particular emphasis on developing and monitoring performance indicators, theory of change and recommendations follow-up.

WORK EXPERIENCE
•    Background in international relations and knowledge of current development and/or normative issues is an asset.
•    Experience and or familiarity with one or more of UNESCO’s substantive sectors. 

 

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
•    Knowledge software packages for quantitative data analysis, qualitative data analysis and data visualization.

 
LANGUAGES
•    Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).
 

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 125 036 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.