Organizational Setting
FAO evaluates the strategic alignment, implementation, efficacy and efficiency of its portfolio of work through its independent Office of Evaluation (OED), which is led by a Director who reports to the FAO Governing Bodies and to the Director-General.
OED evaluates FAO strategies, initiatives, programmes and projects at global, regional and national levels. OED seeks to generate credible and useful evidence and insights to inform decisions, support oversight and help FAO achieve its mission.
In so doing, OED advances knowledge and provides results accountability to both Member Nations and the Director-General. OED also participates in system-wide evaluation initiatives, thereby contributing to assessments of development and humanitarian effectiveness by the United Nations (UN) system.
OED values candidates who are highly motivated to excel and want to join OED colleagues in generating transformative knowledge for FAO, its Member Nations and others working in the fields in which FAO operates to achieve its mission of ending hunger!
The position is located in OED at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Senior Evaluation Officer reports to the Deputy Director, OED.
Technical Focus
Leadership in promoting high-quality complex (thematic, strategic and programme (cluster) research and evaluations.
Key Results
Planning, designing, conducting and promoting the use of major and complex evaluations, thereby contributing to enhanced results-accountability to the Director-General and the Governing Body and enriched learning by the Organization; as well as contributions to improved results-based management by the Organization and the development of evaluation function and methodologies in OED.
Key Functions
• Leads and manages evaluations of complex programmes, major operations, and themes.
• Composes, leads and manages evaluation teams comprising of staff and consultants.
• Leads the preparation of evaluation reports, synthesis of evaluations and related materials.
• Presents findings, conclusions and recommendations of evaluation reports to the management and the Governing Body.
• Promotes the use of evaluations so that their results are taken into account for the design and implementation of strategies, programmes and projects.
• Manages quality assurance process, quality controls and assists in quality enhancement of evaluations conducted by others.
• Keeps abreast of methodological developments in evaluation and leads and contributes to the development of evaluation methodologies and tools.
• Liaises and collaborates with other units of the Organization with a view to promoting results-based and evaluation culture and enhanced learning from evaluations.
• Liaises and collaborates with the evaluation units of other United Nations organizations as well as professional evaluation bodies.
• Advises the Director in the planning and management of OED evaluations.
• Performs other duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in social sciences (such as economics, sociology or psychology) with a focus on research/evaluation methods or in a life science with specific training in evaluation.
• Ten years of relevant experience in conducting and managing development evaluations at the global, regional or country levels, including rigorous thematic and strategic evaluations.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and Spanish or French.
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
• A doctorate degree (Ph.D.) is highly desirable.
• Understanding and knowledge of FAO's portfolio of work.
• Extent and relevance of work experience conducting evaluations in substantive fields related to FAO's mission (agriculture, agrifood systems, climate change, nutrition, water, women's economic empowerment and other areas in development and emergency settings) and in other key elements of FAO's Strategic Framework (such as private sector engagement, data and technologies, innovations), especially considering priorities of FAO donors in the locations of the duty stations.
• Proven ability to deliver clear and concise reports and presentations (particularly to leadership) as demonstrated through: (1) a writing sample of a thematic or strategic evaluation conducted; (2) a presentation based on that writing sample; and (3) a brief justification for the writing sample selected (all must be uploaded and submitted with the application).
• Candidates considered qualified may be asked to participate in a test and deliver a presentation on a topic to be provided.