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For every child, every right

Representatives of are accountable for ensuring that the evaluation policy is implemented at country level. They lead in meeting the country-level evaluation commitments, which are primarily contained in the multi-year costed evaluation plan of the country office which is approved by the Executive Board concurrently with the country programme document. The country office receives support, guidance, technical assistance and oversight from the evaluation section of the MENA regional office on the implementation of the evaluation policy and meeting the country-level evaluation commitments.

A multi-country (MC) evaluation specialist post, anchored in the MENA Regional Office in Jordan and outposted to the country office of Tunisia, will provide oversight, support, guidance and technical assistance to a selection of MENA Country Offices, including all MENA francophone country offices on evaluation design, implementation and use, as well as on the evaluation function. Additionally, the MC evaluation specialist will contribute to the coordination of evaluation in the MENA region and will manage evaluations commissioned by the MENA regional office.

The MC evaluation specialist reports to the regional adviser evaluation (P-5) and in a matrix management structure to the representatives of the country offices that the MC evaluation specialist is in charge off.

The MC evaluation specialist works in close coordination with the country office evaluation staff in the development and implementation of the country office costed evaluation plan, and on the conduct of thematic and humanitarian evaluations, evaluability assessments and other evaluation activities for which the country office is accountable. S/he works with the country office in engaging competent evaluators who conduct their work in accordance with the norms and standards of the UNICEF evaluation policy. The MC evaluation specialist main role in evaluation conduct is to provide day-to-day support, guidance and oversight to the country office on evaluation; in some cases s/he manages evaluations on behalf of a country office.

The MC evaluation specialist contributes to the implementation of the evaluation workplan of the regional office, and more precisely to the preparation and management of evaluations commissioned by the regional office, to evaluation activities that aim to strengthen the evaluation function in the MENA COs, to evaluation capacity development of UNICEF staff and partners in the region, to innovation in evaluation and to peer review and exchange among evaluation staff in the region. S/he also contributes to activities targeting the dissemination and use of evaluation insights in MENA.

The incumbent works in accordance with the norms and standards of the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) and the UNICEF evaluation policy. S/he consults the regional adviser evaluation when major policy decisions and actions must be undertaken.

How can you make a difference ?? 

As the MC Evaluation Specialist, you work with the Country Office evaluation leads and the Representatives in their duties in the assigned countries.

You ensure the credibility, impartiality, and independence of the evaluation function in the Country Offices under your responsibility. You provide oversight in matters related to evaluation governance, planning, funding, quality, and use.

You facilitate the development and implementation of evaluation workplans in each country under your responsibility and provide guidance and technical support to sectors, the Country Management Team, as well as the national government on evaluation and evaluation-related matters. You help the Country Offices manage their evaluation partnerships, including inter-agency relations within the UN, and collaboration with the MENA Regional Office and Headquarters.

You are also assigned specific duties that enable you to serve as a resource person across the region, including evaluation methodological work, resource mobilization, procurement support for evaluations, and the promotion of evaluation use.

Additionally, you are responsible for coordinating evaluation activities in the region and managing evaluations under the Regional Office workplan.

You contribute to the design, effective conduct, and uptake of evaluations in accordance with the UNICEF Evaluation Policy. You ensure that the UNEG Norms and Standards for Evaluation, as well as UNICEF evaluation coverage benchmarks and quality standards, are upheld.

Tasks and responsibilities : 

1. Evaluation Leadership
2. Evaluation Conduct and Use
3. Evaluation Capacity Strengthening and Partnership Building

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Evaluation Specialist (Multi-Country) Level 4 JD_MENA .pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: An Advanced University Degree in the social sciences, economics, public policy, statistics, or in research methods is required. Any other advanced degree will be considered with commensurate experience.

A degree or certification/accreditation in Evaluation is a significant advantage. 

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in the implementation of equity-focused evaluations and the management of the evaluation function at national and international level. Experience in development and/ or humanitarian settings is required.
• Experience in supporting national evaluation capacity and working with professional evaluation associations;
• Experience in evaluation design and in conducting evaluations as per UNICEF and UNEG norms and standards for Evaluation in the UN System;

Language Requirements: Fluency and excellent writing skills in French and English are required.

Desirables:

• A degree or certification/accreditation in Evaluation is a significant advantage.
• Familiarity with methods used in conducting both ‘up-stream’ evaluations (e.g. focusing on policies, strategies and systems), as well as ‘down-stream’ evaluations (e.g. focusing on delivery of programmes and projects) is an asset.
• Experience in related evidence functions is an asset, including Social Policy, Public Policy, Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis, Research, Programme Audit, and Programme Planning and Monitoring.  Experience in these areas cannot be substituted for the Evaluation experience but is an advantage.

Technical knowledge:

• Professional expertise in evaluation design, process management, dissemination of results, and utilization.
• Technical knowledge of methodologies employed in evaluation, including theory-based evaluation approaches, evaluation designs, integration of the evaluation norms and principles in the evaluation designs, research designs, theory of change design, stakeholders analysis, quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, validity/reliability testing of data, data and qualitative information analysis and interpretation, and statistical inference methods.
• Technical knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental evaluation approaches is an advantage.
• Technical knowledge in routine monitoring systems; preferably those associated with Health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Social Policy or WASH sectors
• Technical knowledge on utilization of evaluation and other evidence approaches to realize Gender Equality and Human Rights based development.
• Familiarity with ethics review processes.
• Familiarity with procurement for evaluation services.
• Exposure to innovative techniques for data collection and analysis, such as the use of AI for evaluation is an asset.
• Use of data and information quantitative and qualitative software for data analysis is an asset
• Knowledge of UNICEF & UNEG Evaluation norms & standards.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and in developing effective and user-targeted materials).
• Publications which show sound experience with evaluation methods are an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

This VA is open for internals only.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male from high income countries are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.