Principal Evaluation Specialist

Job Title: Principal Evaluation Specialist

Organization: UNESCO

Post Number : IOS/TA 001

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Internal Oversight Service (IOS)

Duty Station: Paris, France

Job Family: Management/Audit/Oversight

Type of contract : Temporary Appointment

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15-SEP-2023 

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

The assignment is for a period of 11 months and may be extended, depending on the need and subject to funding and satisfactory performance. 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST 

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

The incumbent will: 

• Manage or conduct corporate evaluation processes, from preparation and design through to completion to ensure the production of independent, credible evaluative evidence that meets high professional standards in line with UNEG Norms and Standards, the UNESCO Evaluation Policy and the UNESCO Evaluation Quality Assurance Framework. Specifically, this will entail: Supervise external consultants ensuring the production of corporate evaluations that meet quality requirements. Engage with stakeholder groups both internal and external to UNESCO during evaluation planning, data collection, and feedback dissemination.
• Contribute to the strengthening of the decentralized evaluation function by providing advice and backstopping to evaluation focal points and decentralized evaluation managers in 8-10 UNESCO Field Offices.  
• Conduct practical training and webinars for evaluation focal points, Field Office and Secretariat staff members. 
• Oversee and manage the Evaluation Office’s follow up to recommendations, including the production of updates and data trends.  
• Contribute to strengthening the use of evaluative evidence through preparation and dissemination of innovative evidence products; preparation of syntheses and summaries of evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations; and presentations, tailoring messages to specific audiences and platforms. 
• The incumbent will be expected to have the ability to manage/conduct a corporate evaluation with limited supervision. He/she will be expected to exercise professional judgement on when to seek guidance and support from the Head of Evaluation.
   

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Communication (C)

Accountability (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Professionalism (C)

Driving and managing change (M)

Leading and empowering others (M)

Managing performance (M)

Making quality decisions (M)

Building partnerships (M)

Innovation (C)

Strategic thinking (M)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters' or equivalent) in international development, economics, social sciences, or a closely related field.  

Work experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience related to conducting and/or managing evaluations, of which preferably 3 years acquired at international level.   

Skills/competencies

• Proven project/programme management and coordination competence.
• Proven team coordination and management skills.
• 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.
• Good level of IT skills (MS Office, use and maintenance of database and tracking system, web-based applications).
• Result-oriented approach and strong willingness to learn. 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of French. 

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

• Experience in international relations and with current development and/or normative issues.
• Relevant work experience within the United Nations system and/or within an international organization. 

Skills/competencies

• Familiarity with UNESCO's mandate, structure, and programmes.

Languages

• Capacity to work in Spanish and/or Portuguese is highly desirable. 
• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese and/or 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 119,932 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.

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.

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