International Evaluation Expert

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its passionate culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of belonging and growth within the organization.

Job Overview:
The International Evaluation Expert will play a crucial role in evaluating the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) intervention in Iraq, which aims to improve the survival rate of small and sick newborns. This position involves assessing the implementation of KMC since its inception in 2017, identifying barriers to effective coverage, and developing evidence-based models for scaling up KMC across the country. The expert will work closely with the Ministry of Health and various healthcare facilities to ensure that the evaluation aligns with national health goals and contributes to reducing neonatal mortality rates. The evaluation will encompass a comprehensive methodological approach based on United Nations Evaluation Guidelines, focusing on relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and incorporating principles of gender equality and human rights. The expert will be responsible for designing the evaluation framework, conducting data collection, and analyzing findings to provide actionable recommendations for improving KMC implementation in Iraq.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop a detailed evaluation design and framework that addresses the evaluation questions related to KMC implementation in Iraq.
• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing guidelines, treatment protocols, and training modules related to KMC.
• Design and implement data collection strategies, including quantitative and qualitative methods, to gather insights from healthcare providers, program implementers, and community representatives.
• Facilitate key stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions to assess the effectiveness of KMC interventions.
• Analyze data collected from various sources, ensuring triangulation of evidence to support findings.
• Prepare and present an inception report outlining the methodology and tools to be used in the evaluation.
• Draft and finalize the evaluation report, including executive summaries, findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for scaling up KMC in Iraq.
• Collaborate with the national evaluation expert to ensure the evaluation process adheres to UNICEF's quality standards and ethical considerations.
• Engage with stakeholders throughout the evaluation process to provide updates and gather feedback on preliminary findings. 1
• Ensure that the evaluation process is transparent, ethical, and aligned with UNICEF’s evaluation standards and principles.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Evaluation, Health, Development Studies, Social Science, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in leading evaluations, particularly in resource-limited settings focused on child health.
• Proven expertise in conducting high-quality research and strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.
• Experience in managing evaluations within the UN system and a comprehensive understanding of OECD DAC evaluation criteria.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with senior officials and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in health programs in the MENA region is considered an asset.
• Writing samples in English as part of the submission are required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in one of the following fields: Evaluation, Health, Development Studies, Social Science, or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to conduct evaluations effectively in the context of child health and development.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in leading evaluations, particularly in resource-limited settings. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing evaluations in the UN system and a comprehensive understanding of OECD DAC evaluation criteria. Experience advising international organizations and/or the UN is considered an asset, as is familiarity with health programs in the MENA region.

Languages:
Fluency in English at a native speaker level is mandatory for this position. This proficiency is essential for effective communication, report writing, and stakeholder engagement throughout the evaluation process. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role, and candidates engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered staff members under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies. They will not be entitled to benefits such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage. The selected candidate is responsible for ensuring that their visa and health insurance are valid for the entire contract period. Additionally, candidates must confirm their fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a WHO-endorsed vaccine, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.