Chief, Evaluation Division

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY

FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST

UNRWA

UNRWA is the United Nations agency responsible for the protection, care and human development of a population of some 5 millionPalestinerefugees living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank,Jordan,Lebanonand theSyrianArabRepublic.  UNRWA is committed to assistingPalestinerefugees in maintaining a decent standard of living, acquiring appropriate knowledge and skills, enjoying the fullest possible extent of human rights, and leading a long and healthy life.  UNRWA is the largest UN operation in theMiddle Eastwith more than 29,000 staff.   Most of these staff are refugees themselves, working directly to benefit their communities - as teachers, doctors, nurses or social workers. For its international team, UNRWA is seeking to employ a qualified:

Chief, Evaluation Division

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Department of Internal Oversight Services the incumbent will be responsible for managing UNRWA’s evaluation function and for the provision of independent, credible and useful evaluations. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct and manage evaluations that are impartial, independent, credible and meet professional standards:

-          Carry out evaluations of complex programmes, policies and cross-cutting themes and lead evaluation teams;

-          Effectively supervise evaluations conducted by staff members and consultants;

-          Ensure that evaluations meet high professional standards in line with UNRWA’s Evaluation Policy and UN Evaluation Norms and Standards;

-          Keep abreast of developments in the area of evaluation;

-          Ensure that up-to-date evaluation techniques and approaches are applied;

-          Cooperate with other UN evaluation units and professional evaluation bodies.

• Promote the evaluation function in UNRWA:

-          Review and further develop the architecture, policies, guidelines, systems, procedures and tools related to evaluation;

-          Design and implement evaluation capacity development within the Agency;

• Ensure that evaluations are useful and that evaluation findings and recommendations are followed up:

-          Prepare reports to management and other stakeholders on findings, recommendations and lessons learned of strategic importance;

-          Organize meetings, workshops and other discussion fora to establish a dialogue on evaluation results (recommendations/lessons learned);

-          Ensure that management responds to recommendations and monitor the follow up on evaluations.

• Effectively deploy human and financial resources of the Evaluation Division:

-          Develop the work programme of the Evaluation Division;

-          Plan the human and financial resources needed for the Evaluation Division in close collaboration with the Director, Department of Internal Oversight Services;

-          Supervise and coach evaluation staff;

-          Select and supervise evaluation consultants.

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced university degree in social sciences or a related field, or a combination of a first level degree with relevant professional experience;
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in evaluation;
• Familiarity with current issues in international development;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Competencies

• Knowledge of UN context and topics: Has a detailed knowledge of the role of the UN and of key UN topics;
• Technical and professional skills: Has the required competencies to develop well-focused Terms of Reference that include a complete background, address salient issues, and identify potential impact. Has substantial experience in effectively using various evaluation methods such as surveys, record reviews, focus groups and case studies and is able to contribute to the development of the most efficient and effective methodology for the evaluation design. Has a good understanding of various sampling techniques and their applications and is able to develop the most accurate sampling technique for the methodology. Can use innovative and creative analysis techniques and exercise sound professional judgment on complex issues and evaluation matters. Is able to guide and direct evaluation staff in data collection and to ensure the data analysis addresses evaluation issues;
• Evaluation process management skills: Masters the skills of evaluation management, including developing a plan and schedule, assigning tasks, ensuring milestones are met on a timely basis, ensuring project costs are within an approved budget and ensuring evaluation objectives are adequately addressed. Is able to independently assume responsibility for managing complex evaluation projects and to supervise evaluation team members. Is able to oversee and lead overall evaluation follow-up and take the lead in disseminating best practices and lessons learned from evaluations;
• Oral and written communication skills: Articulates relevant subject matters in a clear and concise way. Uses critical thinking to formulate findings and recommendations based on the analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data, and the broader context of evaluation issues. Is able to independently develop clear, concise and compelling evaluation reports that meet the standards of the United Nations Evaluation Group. Effectively negotiates in complex situations outside the Agency on issues related to evaluations. Is capable of guiding and directing evaluation staff on matters related to reporting;
• Management skills: Is able to take leadership of the Evaluation Division and maintains accountability for its work. Has competencies in coaching and training staff on technical, interpersonal and management skills;
• Ethical competencies: Acts according to the United Nations Evaluation Group’s Code of Conduct for Evaluation in the UN System. Acts with integrity and honesty in all relationships with stakeholders. Provides role modeling and advice to evaluation staff.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in the establishment of an evaluation function;
• Experience related to UNRWA’s mandate and activities;
• Work experience in the Middle East;
• Knowledge of Arabic.

Equivalency

When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Human Resources Department may substitute part of the unmet requirements under UNRWA’s equivalency determination guidelines with a combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training and/or progressive relevant work experience. Note: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered sufficient for an equivalency determination.

Additional Information

The incumbent will be required to travel in the Agency’s area of operations in theMiddle East.

Conditions of Service 

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $86,904 net tax free with dependants or $80,734 single, plus post adjustment of 42.7% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks annual leave. All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception ofGaza) are family duty stations. Initial contract is for one year, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.

How to Apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.

UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process.

General Information

UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.