The Office of Evaluation and Oversight

About this position: We are looking for a Principal Advisor to support the OVE Director’s work who is eager to strengthen methodologies, oversee quality assurance processes, lead discussions on the evaluation strategy and the work program, and facilitate evaluation capacity building within OVE and externally.

What you’ll do:

• Provide Leadership on OVE’s Operations: Support the OVE Director in managing OVE comprehensively, actively engaging in the leadership team, and contributing to strategic decisions regarding work programs, budget, staffing, and other critical matters. Assist the OVE Director in interactions with IDB’s boards, senior management, and internal stakeholders and in representing OVE in peer evaluation networks and platforms.
• Strengthen Evaluation Methodologies and Foster Innovation: Provide intellectual guidance in broadening evaluation methodologies in OVE products and services, including the informed integration of data science applications. Collaborate with evaluation teams to ensure the quality and robustness of evaluation design. Spearhead the establishment of standards and tools for data collection, management, analysis, and presentation, ensuring consistency across OVE’s products and services.
• Support Quality Assurance of OVE Deliverables: Review evaluation reports and products, providing timely feedback to evaluation teams through all stages of the evaluation process. Assist the OVE Director in clearing reports and products. Promote high standards and reliability in evaluation designs, offering guidance on methods and practices to enhance quality.
• Contribute to internal and external evaluation capacity development and knowledge sharing: Lead OVE’s learning agenda on evaluation methods, produce learning materials, and advise the OVE Director on staff learning requirements. Provide leadership on OVE’s external capacity development mandate and partnership engagements. Enhance OVE’s knowledge focus and international standing as a leading independent evaluation.

What you’ll need:

• Education: Ph.D. (or equivalent) in economics, social sciences, public policy, or related field, with in-depth knowledge of evaluation in international development.
• Experience: The successful candidate should be a recognized knowledge leader in the field of evaluation in international development with at least 10-15 years of relevant hands-on experience. The following dimensions are desirable for the position:
• Superior level of understanding of the design and delivery of complex evaluations. Strong practical understanding of designing and conducting rigorous multi-level, multi-site, and theory-based evaluations under real-world evaluation parameters of time, resource, and data constraints to advise all OVE teams working on a wide range of evaluation topics.
• Advanced knowledge of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods, including data science applications. Advanced knowledge of evaluation design challenges and how to address them. Demonstrated capacity to provide intellectual leadership on evaluation methods and issues within and outside the IDB. Experience advising evaluation teams on evaluation design and methods and engaging in evaluation capacity-building activities.
• Advanced knowledge of evaluation processes and products in the context of Multilateral Development Banks. Knowledge and understanding of Multilateral Development Bank operational strategies, processes, and instruments. Knowledge and understanding of OVE products and processes.
• Significant experience in representing an independent evaluation function among peers and partners and speaking on behalf of the function on evaluation products, processes, practices, and methods.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills; in-depth knowledge of evaluation and research methods; mature judgment and ability to conceptualize and prioritize issues.
• Excellent communication, diplomatic, and negotiating skills, with demonstrated personal solid maturity, balanced judgment, and a track record of building and maintaining partnerships with colleagues and counterparts. Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills, capacity to motivate, develop, and supervise teams, and ability to operate collaboratively across organizational boundaries. Extensive experience in managing staff and consultants.
• Language: Proficiency in English required. Additional knowledge of Spanish, French, or Portuguese is a plus. Spanish is highly desirable, so if you are not proficient, we will ask you to commit to learning once you join us since the skill is essential for long-term success in this role.

Source: https://iadbcareers.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/principal-advisor-the-office-of-evaluation-and-oversight-6103