Re-advertisement: Regional Evaluation Advisor, P-5, FT #00103072, Amman – Jordan MENARO

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Quality…

The Middle East and North Africa region covers countries and territories from Morocco to the Islamic Republic of Iran, including Djibouti and Sudan in sub-Saharan Africa. The region is home to nearly 418 million people, including 157 million, or 38 per cent, who are under the age of 18. Nearly 10,000 children are born across the region every year. The Middle East and North Africa Regional Office is a hub for information, technical expertise, oversight and coordination for UNICEF Country Offices. It also supports these offices in their efforts to raise much-needed resources. Specialist advisers based in Amman help develop programmes in health and nutrition, child protection, adolescent development, HIV and AIDS, education, water and sanitation, social policy, and emergency preparedness.

As a key source of organizational learning and accountability, evaluation is a vital function in UNICEF. The function is guided by the Revised evaluation policy of UNICEF, the most recent iteration of which is slated for endorsement by the UNICEF Executive Board in late 2023, which in turn is rooted in the norms and standards of the United Nations Evaluation Group. The Regional Evaluation Adviser is broadly responsible for leading the evaluation function in the MENA region in developing and executing a plan of evaluations that are consistently of the highest relevance, quality, credibility and utility possible – and doing so with equally solid grounding in the independence that is a key foundation of the evaluation function and in the commitment to consultation that ensures that evaluations are well embedded in the learning and accountability needs of the organization and it mandate. Toward this end, the incumbent reports to the Regional Director of the MENA Regional Office with a technical reporting line to the Director of Evaluation at UNICEF headquarters, who work closely together to guide, support and supervise the Regional Evaluation Adviser.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall joint guidance of the Regional Director and the Director of Evaluation, you will:

1. develop, implement, manage, and monitor a strategy for strengthening the evaluation function and evaluation culture in MENA region;
2. oversee the implementation of a quality assurance system aimed at improving the quality of evaluations;
3. provide technical evaluation support to country offices, including capacity development at various levels;
4. provide and coordinate regional recommendations regarding global policy development, regional support, and contributions to global corporate evaluation activities; and
5. ensure coherence with the evaluation function at the global level, in keeping with the Revised evaluation policy of UNICEF to be finalized and endorsed by the Executive Board in 2023, and with other UN agencies;
6. promote the meaningful and effective use of evaluation in the region by keeping evaluation on the Regional Office and Country Office agenda, participating in key planning forums and other decision-making processes to bring relevant evaluations and evaluation issues to bear on these processes as much as possible, helping monitor the development and implementation of evaluation management responses, advocating for the function, and other actions as required; and
7. monitor and report on regional progress in pursuit of relevant key performance indicators for evaluation and bring key issues to the attention of the Regional Director and Director of Evaluation; and
8. in pursuit of the forgoing objectives, support and guide a small team of Country Evaluation Specialists and Multi-Country Evaluation Specialists.

You will also provide policy support, guidance and advocacy on evaluation in humanitarian preparedness and response, in collaboration with other agencies, as well as ensuring that the equity and the gender equality perspectives are mainstreamed throughout the evaluation function.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Develops and builds consensus around a regional strategy to strengthen the evaluation function, including a quality assurance system, aimed at improving the quality and prioritization of evaluations in the Region. Prepares and disseminates periodic reports on the management of the evaluation function to the Regional Management Team (RMT). Develops an annual work plan for regional evaluation activities, monitors implementation, including the use of budgetary resources.
2. Guides the conceptualization and implementation of regional thematic or multi-country evaluations in areas of greatest strategic relevance and priority in the region, ensuring the incorporation of an equity focus.
3. Provides direct technical support to country offices for strengthening the evaluation function at the Country Office level. This includes support the strategic planning of evaluations, quality assurance of evaluations, evaluation use.
4. Establishes a partnership approach including but not limited to centers of excellence in evaluation in the region and beyond, to facilitate the availability of high-quality technical capacity for conducting of evaluations in the region, as and when required.
5. Documents and shares through the global evaluation network good practices and lessons learned in evaluation from the region and strengthens the capacity of UNICEF’s regional M&E network in the area of evaluation.
6. Provides UNICEF’s inputs into and coordinates effectively with regional UN inter-agency evaluation mechanisms and initiatives.
7. Advocates the availability of sufficient staff capacity in the region to manage the evaluation function and maintains a high standard of evaluation, including through regional network meetings and organization of specific technical training as and when required.
8. Keeps abreast of developments in the field of evaluation, pro-equity policies and knowledge management in the region and at headquarters and provides/coordinates regional contributions and recommendations in connection with the development and implementation of global policies and strategies related to evaluation.
9. Undertakes all of these responsibilities in close coordination and collaboration with the country and global levels of the evaluation function, under the technical guidance and supervision of the Director of Evaluation – including through joint evaluation planning exercises, regular interface with the Evaluation Office, participation in annual Global Evaluation meetings, ad other means.
10. Performs other related tasks.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have the below requirement:

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher in a social science or in a relevant natural science. Specialization in research methodology and evaluation, advanced statistical analysis and programme analysis/evaluation is an asset.

Work Experience:

• 10 years in progressively responsible professional work related to planning, implementation, coordination, and management of monitoring/evaluation/research, with at least half of that experience obtained in developing nations or in organizations whose work is predominantly in developing nations.
• At least 5 years senior level management and technical experience in Evaluation at either a very large country office, or in regional or headquarters locations.
• Specific Technical Knowledge Required
• Extensive practical experience in planning, implementation, and use of evaluations
• Excellent knowledge of research and evaluation methodologies, including through direct experience leading and participating in evaluation teams
• Proven knowledge and understanding of all relevant evaluation policies, procedures, and practices.
• Strong conceptual and research analytical skills with the ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations.
• Proven experience in establishing effective partnerships in both development and humanitarian environments.
• Strong track record for leading and managing evaluations that are of high relevance, quality, credibility and use, and for achieving these outcomes with an equally strong track record for demonstrating behavioural independence as well as solid consultation skills.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English and at least one other UN language required, with French being highly desirable and Arabic as a particular asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter Here

Competencies required for this post are…

1. Builds and maintains partnerships. (3)
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness. (3)
3. Drive to achieve results for impact. (3)
4. Innovates and embraces change. (3)
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity. (3)
6. Thinks and acts strategically. (3)
7. Works collaboratively with others. (3)
8. Nurtures, leads, and manages people (3)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: Here

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. A diverse and inclusive workforce is part of UNICEF’s DNA

| UNICEF Careers, irrespective of their raceethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a Compensation, benefits and wellbeing | UNICEF Careers including parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation for job candidates and personnel with disabilities | UNICEF Careers, UNCIEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

“UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.”.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

“The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates)”

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Original Article