Consultancy: Evaluation Team Leader

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a leading organization dedicated to promoting and protecting children's rights globally. Established in 1946, UNICEF has been operational for over 70 years, working in 190 countries and territories. The organization focuses on children's survival, protection, and development, and is recognized as the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries. UNICEF is funded entirely through voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments, and employs over 12,000 staff across more than 145 countries.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Team Leader will play a critical role in the evaluability assessment aimed at integrating child rights across all UN activities as outlined in the UN Secretary General's Guidance Note on Child Rights Mainstreaming (CRM) 202

• This position requires the consultant to provide strategic and methodological support for the evaluation, ensuring high-quality deliverables through effective coordination and stakeholder engagement. The Evaluation Team Leader will work closely with UNICEF's Evaluation Office and will be responsible for overseeing the evaluation team's work, managing the evaluation workplan, and ensuring timely submission of deliverables. The role also involves leading the methodological design and implementation of the evaluation, conducting data collection activities, and facilitating stakeholder engagement throughout the process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Team Leader will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the evaluation team's work, which includes collaboration with UNICEF Evaluation Office staff. Key duties include managing the evaluation workplan, ensuring timely submission of deliverables, leading the methodological design and implementation of the evaluation, conducting document reviews, literature reviews, and monitoring data mapping. The consultant will oversee and conduct data collection activities such as key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), surveys, and self-assessment tools, ensuring methodological rigor and ethical compliance. Additionally, the Evaluation Team Leader will lead the analysis, triangulation, and interpretation of data, ensuring quality and coherence of findings, and will draft and finalize evaluation reports, presentations, and other deliverables as per the Terms of Reference. The role also involves facilitating stakeholder engagement through consultations and workshops.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters) in research, evaluation, social sciences, or a related field. They should have a minimum of 10 years of experience leading complex mixed-methods evaluations, with expertise in conducting evaluations for multilateral or international organizations such as UN agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The ideal candidate will have strong skills in managing and coordinating a range of stakeholders, including high-level UN personnel, and will be proficient in designing and facilitating surveys, interviews, and group discussions. Additionally, candidates should have experience in ethical and inclusive evaluations, integrating human rights, gender equality, equity, and inclusion considerations, as well as familiarity with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) norms and standards for evaluation.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Masters) in research, evaluation, social sciences, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively lead complex evaluations and assessments.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, particularly in leading complex mixed-methods evaluations. This experience should include working with multilateral or international organizations, demonstrating a strong understanding of the development-humanitarian nexus, and showcasing expertise in evaluability assessments, formative evaluations, policy evaluations, and baseline assessments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset. Proficiency in additional languages can enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders and may be beneficial for the evaluation process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set to last from December 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, and is home/office based, allowing for remote work. Candidates must complete their profiles in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and upload copies of their academic credentials. A financial proposal reflecting the costs per deliverable and the total lump-sum for the assignment is required. UNICEF will cover any emergent or unforeseen duty travel expenses, and selected candidates must have current health insurance coverage at the time the contract is awarded. Payment of professional fees will be contingent upon the submission of satisfactory deliverables, and UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment for unsatisfactory work or delays. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.