Young and Emerging Evaluator (YEE) - West and Central Africa

Job Description

Background 

SoCha is an international monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) firm dedicated to delivering high-quality, evidence-driven insights that enable development and humanitarian actors to make adaptive, impactful decisions. With experience operating in multiple regional contexts, including West and Central Africa, SoCha combines technical rigor, local partnerships, and innovative approaches to address complex development challenges. We specialize in mixed-methods and complexity-aware evaluations, systems-strengthening, and capacity-building, ensuring that programs are responsive to local contexts and truly deliver for vulnerable populations. Guided by principles of inclusion, equity, and learning, SoCha supports donors, UN agencies, and implementing partners to improve outcomes and maximize impact. 

SoCha is applying to be included in a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) with UNICEF’s West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO). Under this LTA, SoCha will support evaluations across regional countries, covering diverse thematic areas including health, nutrition, WASH, education, child protection, social protection, adolescent development, gender equality, climate resilience, and humanitarian response. 

To support this ambitious portfolio, SoCha seeks to strengthen its pool of Young and Emerging Evaluators (YEEs) who can contribute fresh perspectives, technical support, and localized insights to UNICEF evaluations. Through this initiative, SoCha aims to foster the next generation of evaluators in the region and globally, in line with UNICEF’s commitment to capacity building, inclusion, and localization. 

Position Description

The Young and Emerging Evaluator (YEE) will work under the supervision of a Team Leader or Senior Evaluator, contributing to high-quality, utilization-focused evaluations throughout West and Central Africa. The YEE will gain hands-on experience in designing, implementing, analyzing, and disseminating evaluations that support UNICEF’s mandate to protect and promote the rights of children and vulnerable populations. 

The position will involve contributing to evaluations covering a variety of sectors and contexts — from health systems strengthening to humanitarian interventions — requiring flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to rigorous, ethical, and participatory evaluation practices. 

Key expectations include supporting data collection in challenging environments, integrating gender and equity considerations throughout the evaluation process, and collaborating closely with national experts and local stakeholders. The role is designed to provide practical learning opportunities and structured mentorship, contributing to the professional growth of the YEE while enhancing SoCha’s evaluation capacity. 

Profile

We’re looking for YEEs who: 

• Are under 35 years of age and who have fewer than 5 years of professional experience in evaluation of research.
• Are ideally based in – or are nationals of – Central or West African states.
• Have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in social sciences, international development, public policy, economics, public health, or a related field.
• Have a strong interest in evaluation, research, and learning in the development or humanitarian sector.
• Have experience (academic or professional) with quantitative or qualitative research methods.
• Possess strong writing and analytical skills.
• Are fluent in English or French (bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged).

Tasks / Responsibilities

As a YEE with SoCha, you will: 

• Support design and planning of evaluations, including developing research questions and tools.
• Assist with literature and document reviews.
• Participate in qualitative and quantitative data collection, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
• Contribute to data cleaning, coding, and analysis.
• Help draft sections of reports, presentations, and learning briefs.
• Engage in validation workshops and presentations to stakeholders. 
• Integrate gender, equity, and inclusion considerations into all evaluation activities.
• Participate in team learning sessions and capacity-strengthening workshops. 

Type

Short-term consultancy assignments under a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) with UNICEF. 

Start Date

Rolling recruitment (anticipated start in late 2025/early 2026). 

Location

Home-based with travel to West and Central Africa countries, as required for specific evaluations. 

How to apply

To submit your application, kindly provide your CV using the form provided below. 

To apply before 20 July 2025.