Director of Evaluation

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 to its staff. UNICEF values a diverse and passionate culture and provides an attractive compensation and benefits package to its employees.

Job Overview:
The Director of Evaluation at UNICEF plays a crucial role in leading the Evaluation Office, which is functionally independent within the organization. This position reports directly to the Executive Director and is responsible for spearheading organizational learning, accountability, and performance improvement through effective evaluation practices. The Director sets the vision for the evaluation function, ensuring adherence to international norms and standards, and oversees the development and implementation of evaluation policies and practices. This role involves managing a team, facilitating evaluation partnerships, and advocating for the use of evaluation results to inform decision-making and improve program effectiveness. The Director is expected to promote strategies that enhance the evaluative capacity of the organization and ensure that evaluations are relevant, timely, and impactful.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director of Evaluation has a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing intellectual and organizational leadership on the implementation of UNICEF’s evaluation policy.
• Setting performance standards for various evaluation approaches, including impact evaluations and outcome evaluations.
• Reporting annually to the Executive Board on the evaluation policy's implementation and proposing necessary updates.
• Preparing and revising the global evaluations plan with a focus on impact and effectiveness.
• Ensuring adequate resources for evaluation implementation and capacity development.
• Designing and managing independent corporate evaluations that meet international standards.
• Establishing a comprehensive assessment system to gauge the performance of UNICEF’s evaluation function.
• Promoting the use of evaluations and knowledge management for timely dissemination of results.
• Supporting the professional development of evaluation staff and enhancing the professionalization of the evaluation function. 1
• Engaging with external partners and networks to strengthen evaluation practices and contribute to UN system-wide evaluations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in evaluation studies, economics, research methods, or related fields. Specialized training in statistics or quantitative research methods is an asset. A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in evaluation and research management is required, with at least 10 years in a senior leadership role. Candidates should have a proven track record in rigorous evaluation methodologies and experience in leading diverse teams to deliver high-quality evaluations. Strong management, leadership, and interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to work in a multicultural environment and engage with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in evaluation studies, economics, research methods, or closely related disciplines. Specialized training in statistics, econometrics, or quantitative and mixed research methods is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in evaluation and research management, with substantial experience in designing and implementing evaluations. Candidates should have at least 10 years of experience in a senior position leading and managing evaluation functions or similar processes, demonstrating expertise in rigorous evaluation methodologies and the ability to assess causal impact in complex contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable and considered an asset for candidates.

Additional Notes:
The Director of Evaluation is appointed for a term of five years, renewable once for a maximum of five years. This position is subject to rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UNICEF promotes a diverse workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must be prepared for potential medical clearance and vaccination requirements as part of the hiring process.