Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) at Headquarters. The Evaluation Officer will serve as the team leader or evaluation manager for evaluations conducted by the United Nations System-Wide Evaluation Office (UN SWEO) and support the management of the system-wide evaluation function. The Evaluation Officer will report to the Executive Director of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group System-Wide Evaluation Office.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Evaluation Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Leads evaluations ensuring scoping, planning, designing, collecting and analyzing data and report drafting for evaluation and inspection assignments of United Nations Secretariat programme activities and carries out all the tasks involved in the assignments. • Manages evaluation teams of other evaluation staff and/or consultants. • Researches, analyzes and presents data gathered from diverse sources. • Leads the development of evaluation design and takes the lead in drafting of evaluation inception papers and terms of reference. • Manages data collection efforts across multiple qualitative and quantitative methods; reviews, analyzes and interprets data; and ensures the development of evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations. • Leads and/or participates in field missions (where appropriate), including provision of guidance to evaluation team members, consultants, and other parties. • Manages the drafting of draft and final evaluation reports, including the incorporation of client comments. • Leads evaluation briefings to the Executive Director, the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, and evaluation clients. • Ensures quality standards for evaluations. • Ensure that evaluations are impartial, independent and credible and meet professional standards. • Provides substantive backstopping to the Executive Director in presenting evaluations to the Economic and Social Council and the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Contributes to the preparation of the Annual Report of the Executive Director and to Member State briefing and engagement in this regard. • Supports resource mobilization for evaluation activities and coordinates activities related to budget funding (evaluation project budget preparation and submissions, progress reports, and financial statements). • Supports and carries out other management and administrative tasks for recruitment of staff, consultants and interns. • Participates in the follow up to evaluation assignments by: (a) implementation of strategies to disseminate evaluation results and promote evaluation use; and (b) tracking evaluation recommendations and determining the final implementation of those recommendations and their outcomes. • Provides support to the Office to strengthen efficiency and effectiveness of the evaluation function by: (a) supporting the development of multi-year rolling workplan for global system wide evaluations in consultation with United Nations development system stakeholders; (b) participating in work groups on work processes and structures; (c) taking on additional tasks as assigned, such as administrative, human resource, and/or substantive work tasks; (d) undertaking evaluation support functions, such as developing and conducting training workshops and seminars and preparation of guidance to UNSDG entities; (e) supporting system-wide evaluation oversight and coordination mechanisms; (f) contributing to periodic review of the UNSDG System-Wide Evaluation Policy; (g) making presentations on assigned topics/activities; and (h) providing substantive support to meetings and conferences. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of international standards and practices in evaluation and respective evaluation methodologies; ability to propose and formulate a strategic approach to evaluations within the overall framework of the relevant international instruments; knowledge of the United Nations system evaluation standards and practices; knowledge of development assistance, humanitarian assistance and familiarity with peacekeeping and peacebuilding areas; ability to produce evaluation reports and papers; ability to review and edit the evaluation work of others; demonstrates good judgment and initiative, creativity and resourcefulness, diplomacy and tact; ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve the goals of the Office; ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in Law, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Programme Evaluation, International Affairs, Economics, International Development or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in evaluation of international projects and programmes is required. Experience in leading evaluations including complex, strategic multi-stakeholder strategies and partnerships is required. Experience in leading and managing inspection and evaluation teams of staff and consultants, including the utilization of quality assurance mechanisms is required. Experience in the use of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods and analytical approaches is required. Experience in communicating evaluation evidence to diverse stakeholders to promote learning and the use of evaluation evidence is required. Experience in the application of evaluation ethics is required. Experience working in an international organization is desirable. Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. • Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. • Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.