Head of Evaluation Office

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established in 1950 with the mission to protect the rights and well-being of refugees. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 staff members. The organization works to safeguard the rights of refugees and displaced persons, providing them with assistance and support to rebuild their lives. UNHCR's efforts are guided by its core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity, and it aims to promote durable solutions for refugees and displaced individuals.

Job Overview:
The Head of Evaluation Office at UNHCR is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing the evaluation function within the organization. This role involves developing and implementing evaluation policies, ensuring quality assurance, and promoting the use of evaluation findings to enhance organizational effectiveness. The incumbent will lead a team of evaluators and work closely with various stakeholders, including senior management, regional bureaux, and country offices. The position requires a deep understanding of evaluation methodologies and the ability to engage with inter-agency evaluation networks. The Head of Evaluation Office will also represent UNHCR in external forums and contribute to the broader evaluation discourse within the humanitarian sector. This role is critical in ensuring that evaluations are contextually relevant and aligned with UNHCR's operational goals, thereby enhancing the organization's accountability and learning processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of Evaluation Office will be responsible for the following duties: Overseeing the implementation of the UNHCR Evaluation Policy and Strategy across the organization, ensuring collaboration with regional bureaux and country offices. Leading the annual evaluation planning and budgeting process, consulting with senior management on evaluation topics. Providing technical guidance and support to regional and country offices to strengthen the decentralized evaluation function. Establishing processes to ensure evaluations are contextually relevant and reflective of UNHCR's operational dimensions. Developing and adapting evaluation methodologies suitable for diverse operational environments. Ensuring quality assurance for evaluations, including capacity development and final review of evaluation reports. Developing a communications strategy for the Evaluation Office and facilitating engagement with internal stakeholders. Promoting the dissemination and use of evaluation findings across the organization. Representing UNHCR in external meetings and inter-agency forums on evaluation. Coordinating the Annual Programme Review to align evaluation resources with organizational priorities. Leading risk assessments and discussions to manage risks effectively and ensure that risk management principles are integrated into decision-making processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or 11 years with a graduate degree, or 10 years with a doctorate. Essential qualifications include expertise in evaluation standards and practices, experience in leading evaluation functions in complex international organizations, and a proven track record in conducting independent evaluations, particularly in the humanitarian sector. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to influence senior decision-makers. Certification in research and evaluation methods is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in Social Sciences, Economics, International Development, Public Policy, or a related field. A higher degree is preferred, and candidates should have a strong foundation in research and evaluation methodologies.

Experience:
The position requires extensive experience in leading and managing evaluation functions, with at least five years in conducting independent evaluations in the humanitarian sector. Candidates should have a solid understanding of evaluation standards and practices, as well as experience in working with international organizations, NGOs, or consulting firms. Field experience in monitoring and evaluation leadership roles is highly desirable.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, and proficiency in one or more official UN languages is highly desirable. Candidates should have at least a B2 level of proficiency in the required languages, which may include French, Spanish, or Arabic, depending on the duty station.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and requires the incumbent to reside in the city. The initial appointment is for a period of five years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and organizational needs. The role is classified at the PR5 grade level and is considered a professional staff position. The position may involve travel, and while remote work is not the primary mode of operation, some teleworking may be possible after discussions with the manager. The living and working conditions in Switzerland are of a high standard, providing access to quality services and education.