Evaluation Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established to lead international efforts to combat hunger. With a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all, FAO ensures that people have regular access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives. The organization has 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, and operates in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO's independent Office of Evaluation (OED) assesses the strategic alignment, implementation, effectiveness, and efficiency of its work, providing credible and timely evidence to inform decision-making and contribute to FAO's effectiveness in achieving its mandate. OED is currently establishing a roster of evaluation specialists to support its Rolling Evaluation Workplan 2026–2029, which includes over 200 potential evaluations across various themes, countries, and projects. Specialists may be engaged on a short-term basis as needed, with assignments varying in duration, scope, and location, including remote work.

Job Overview:
The Evaluation Specialist will play a crucial role in contributing technical expertise across a range of evaluation assignments. This position involves leading, managing, and supporting evaluations, ensuring that they are conducted effectively and efficiently. The specialist will be responsible for developing evaluation designs, fostering productive relationships with stakeholders, and overseeing all evaluation activities. The role requires a strong understanding of evaluation methodologies and the ability to analyze data to inform evaluation designs. The specialist will also be expected to prepare reports, briefs, and presentations, synthesizing complex information into clear, evidence-based findings and recommendations. This position is integral to the success of FAO's evaluation efforts and will directly impact the organization's ability to achieve its goals in food security and agricultural development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Evaluation Specialist will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Leading evaluations by developing evaluation designs that guide the work of the team, utilizing program/project monitoring and evaluation plans and data, complemented by primary quantitative and/or qualitative data as appropriate.
• Fostering productive working relationships with evaluands and FAO stakeholders during the evaluation design process.
• Implementing evaluation designs by overseeing all evaluation activities, leading analysis, and writing deliverables.
• Guiding the evaluation team, providing support and troubleshooting issues, reviewing work, and maintaining communication with team members and stakeholders.
• Managing and documenting evaluation progress, ensuring deliverables are completed and stored properly, and updating workplans, timelines, and budgets.
• Drafting and reviewing documents, coordinating communications, and organizing missions and activities.
• Providing analytical support by reviewing literature, analyzing data, preparing visual displays of findings, and supporting report preparation.
• Drafting specifications for work to ensure clarity and understanding before execution.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet specific qualifications to be considered for the Evaluation Specialist position. For consultants, an advanced university degree in economics, econometrics, sociology, public policy, data science, statistics, or a closely related field is required. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in evaluation and/or research is essential. For Personal Services Agreements (PSAs), a university degree in a related field is required, along with at least three years of relevant professional experience. Proficiency in English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Evaluation Specialist position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as economics, econometrics, sociology, public policy, data science, statistics, or other areas closely related to evaluation. For those applying as PSAs, a university degree in a similar field is sufficient, but relevant professional experience is still required.

Experience:
Candidates should possess a significant level of experience, with a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in evaluation and/or research for consultants, and at least three years for PSAs. This experience should ideally include leading, managing, or supporting thematic, country, program, and/or project evaluations, particularly in areas related to FAO's work, such as agriculture, food security, and nutrition.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for all candidates, along with limited knowledge of another FAO official language, which may include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. Candidates should be aware that inclusion in the roster does not guarantee immediate engagement, and assignments may vary in duration, scope, and location. The role may involve both short-term and long-term assignments, and candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that may require travel or field-based work as needed.