Survey and Evaluation Specialist

Organizational Setting

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement on plant health with 185 contracting parties and 10 Regional Plant Protection Organizations. Its objective is to protect cultivated and wild plants worldwide by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests. The IPPC is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). The IPPC Secretariat is hosted by FAO within the NSP Division and supports the development and implementation of CPM policies and activities, as well as the execution of any other functions entrusted to it. One of the Secretariat’s core functions is to facilitate the implementation of the Convention and the development and application of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), to fulfil the IPPC mandate.

The assignment may have a duration ranging from one to eleven months within a twelve-month period. Any rehire is subject to satisfactory performance, the availability of financial resources, and the operational needs of the Secretariat.

The objective of the call for expressions of interest for consultants and PSA.SBS incumbents is to attract talent in order to strengthen the IPPC expert roster. Experts included in this roster may be considered when relevant opportunities arise.

Reporting Lines

The Survey Specialist is under the supervision of the IPPC Implementation and Facilitation Unit Lead.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical expertise in survey methodology, implementation research, monitoring and evaluation, and evidence generation to support the implementation and capacity development activities of the IPPC Secretariat. The incumbent will contribute to the design, implementation and continuous improvement of surveys, studies, indicators and data collection methodologies that generate reliable, high-quality and actionable evidence to assess the implementation of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and CPM Recommendations.

The incumbent will ensure that survey instruments and analytical approaches are methodologically robust, fit for purpose and designed to maximize participation, improve data quality and produce meaningful insights that can be effectively translated into technical recommendations, knowledge products and strategic actions. The work will support the IPPC Observatory as well as other implementation, capacity development and cross-cutting initiatives of the IPPC Secretariat.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Provide expert advice on survey methodology, implementation research and evidence generation across the work programme of the IPPC Secretariat.
•     Design and continuously improve surveys, questionnaires, interview guides, indicators and other data collection instruments using recognized methodological principles and best practices.
•     Advise technical teams on selecting appropriate survey designs, sampling approaches, response scales, question wording and data collection strategies to ensure reliable, valid and decision-relevant results.
•     Develop and promote survey methodologies that maximize participation, respondent engagement and data quality while minimizing respondent burden and potential sources of bias.
•     Design monitoring and evaluation frameworks, indicators and assessment methodologies to support programme implementation, capacity development and organizational learning.
•     Develop guidance documents, protocols and standard operating procedures for survey implementation, data quality management and analytical processes.
•     Analyse quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate analytical methods to identify trends, gaps, priorities, opportunities and lessons learned.
•     Translate survey findings into clear, evidence-based technical reports, analytical papers, recommendations, presentations and knowledge products tailored to technical, operational and policy audiences.
•     Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in statistics, social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, public policy, agricultural economics, agriculture, plant protection, biological sciences, natural sciences or other relevant disciplines. Consultants with a bachelor's degree require two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     For PSAs: University degree (or technical degree/certificate) from an institution recognized by the IAU/UNESCO in statistics, social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, public policy, agricultural economics, agriculture, plant protection, biological sciences, natural sciences or other relevant disciplines. 
•     At least five (5) years of relevant experience in survey design, implementation research, monitoring and evaluation, data collection, or applied research, including experience in developing questionnaires, indicators, monitoring frameworks or other evidence-generation methodologies.
•     Working knowledge of English.  

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work, preferably in an international or multicultural context.
•     Demonstrated ability to design and apply survey methodologies, data collection instruments and monitoring frameworks that generate reliable, high-quality and actionable evidence.
•     Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyse, synthesize and communicate quantitative and qualitative information from multiple sources to support technical and policy decision-making.
•     Experience developing and implementing surveys, questionnaires, interview guides or other evidence-generation tools, including survey validation and quality assurance.
•     Ability to translate technical and programmatic information into clear survey questions, indicators and analytical outputs that are fit for purpose and tailored to different audiences.
•     Familiarity with online survey platforms, data management tools and analytical software to support survey implementation, data quality and reporting.

Selection criteria

•     Demonstrated experience in analysing and synthesizing quantitative and/or qualitative data and translating findings into technical reports, recommendations or knowledge products.
•     Knowledge of other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) is considered an asset.