Job Posting: 23/Apr/2025
Closure Date: 11/May/2025, 5:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: OED - Office of Evaluation
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Home-Based
Duration: Up to 11 months
Post Number: N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Office of Evaluation (OED) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is an independent office with a dual reporting line to the FAO’s Director General and to the Governing Bodies.
As the custodian of the evaluation function, OED generates evidence and recommendations that inform thinking, deliberations and, ultimately, decisions of FAO, Members, donors, partners and other actors seeking to support the 2030 Agenda. It also enhances the evaluation function across the UN system by engaging with partners in the evaluation and development community.
OED conducts a range of evaluations (such as project, country, thematic, and program evaluations), and supports the conduct of self/decentralized evaluations undertaken by budget holders. For more information about our work please visit: https://www.fao.org/evaluation/about-us/background/en
Reporting Lines
The evaluation support specialist reports to an Evaluation Officer.
Technical Focus
OED is seeking to recruit evaluation support specialists to lead the development of a comprehensive approach for self/decentralized evaluations, coordinate ongoing support to budget holders and provide quality assurance services.
Tasks and responsibilities
The evaluation support specialist may undertake some or all the following tasks:
● Review the guidance currently available for evaluations (including that for decentralized evaluations), identify gaps, if any, and propose any necessary updates in line with the FAO Evaluation Strategy 2023-2025.
● Review current support systems and structure for supporting self/decentralized evaluations.
● Determine learning needs of key stakeholders, which may include identifying research and evaluation methods training(s).
● Research and assess guidance and learning services provided by other evaluation offices in the UN system, paying particular attention to lessons and potential synergies.
● Develop a proposal for improving, harmonizing and systematizing guidance and learning services for self/decentralized evaluations.
● Coordinate the self/decentralized evaluations workplan.
● Monitor the allocation of support services.
● Update the list of evaluation focal points.
● Propose and/or implement a tailored learning/capacity development program for FAO evaluation managers.
● Formulate an action plan to implement new arrangements within a defined period of time transitioning from the current system to the new one in the least disruptive manner.
● Provide quality assurance services to selected evaluations.
● Other research and related work as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
● A master’s degree in social or life sciences or equivalent.
● Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience conducting evaluations.
● Full proficiency in English (level C).
FAO Core Competencies
● Results Focus
● Teamwork
● Communication
● Building Effective Relationships
● Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
● Relevant experience providing evaluation services including quality assurance.
● Excellent communication and technical skills.
● Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For more information, visit the FAO employment website
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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