Senior Evaluation Officer (P5) - Head of Impact Evaluation Team

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of ending global hunger. WFP is recognized for its efforts in humanitarian assistance and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202

• The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for positions within the organization. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and beneficiaries. The organization is also focused on personal and professional development for its employees, offering various training and mobility opportunities across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The Senior Evaluation Officer will lead the Impact Evaluation Unit within the Office of Evaluation (OEV) at WFP, which is responsible for generating evidence-based insights into the effectiveness of WFP’s programs and activities. This role involves overseeing the planning and delivery of high-quality impact evaluations that assess the performance and results of WFP initiatives. The incumbent will manage a team of staff located in various offices, including Rome and regional country offices, ensuring a cohesive approach to impact evaluation across the organization. The position requires a strategic mindset to align evaluation efforts with WFP's corporate priorities and to foster collaboration with other UN agencies and stakeholders. The Senior Evaluation Officer will also be responsible for representing WFP in inter-agency forums and enhancing the organization's visibility in the global evaluation community.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Evaluation Officer will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Developing and implementing evaluation policies and strategies to ensure timely and effective evaluation of WFP programs.
• Leading the Impact Evaluation Unit and managing staff across various locations, providing guidance and support to ensure high performance.
• Overseeing the planning and execution of impact evaluations, ensuring they meet quality standards and align with WFP's strategic goals.
• Engaging with national governments and other stakeholders to ensure that evaluation findings are integrated into policy and design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design.
• Mobilizing resources and building partnerships with regional donors to support evaluation initiatives.
• Representing WFP in high-level discussions and forums related to evaluation and humanitarian assistance.
• Promoting a culture of accountability and learning within WFP by disseminating evaluation findings and recommendations.
• Ensuring that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and inclusion are integrated into evaluation processes.
• Managing budgets and financial reporting for the evaluation function, ensuring compliance with organizational standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Evaluation Officer position must possess an advanced university degree in International Development, Economics, Social Science, or a related field, with a strong emphasis on data analysis. A doctoral degree in relevant disciplines is highly desirable. Additionally, candidates should have at least 11 years of relevant professional experience, including a minimum of four years in international contexts, and extensive experience in managing impact evaluations in diverse settings. Proven ability to interface between technical evaluation functions and high-level governance is essential, along with experience in building professional networks within the global evaluation community. Strong leadership and team management skills are also required, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in fields such as International Development, Economics, or Social Science, with a focus on advanced data analysis. A first university degree combined with additional relevant work experience may also be considered. A doctoral degree in development studies or related fields is strongly preferred, indicating a high level of expertise in the subject matter.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically at least 11 years in relevant professional roles, with a minimum of four years in international contexts. Candidates should have extensive experience in conducting and managing impact evaluations, particularly in humanitarian and development settings. Experience in high-level governance and reporting to boards is crucial, as is a history of providing strategic advice based on evaluation evidence. The ability to build and maintain professional networks within the global research and evaluation communities is also essential for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with a level C proficiency. Additionally, candidates should have intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language, which may include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese. Proficiency in a second language is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the position.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an International Professional role and is open to candidates of all nationalities. It is a non-rotational position, meaning the incumbent will not be subject to regular reassignment unless the position is reclassified. The selected candidate will be offered a fixed-term contract with a one-year probationary period. WFP provides an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards, including a basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, and various allowances. Employees are entitled to 30 days of annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance. The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Bangkok, Thailand, to fulfill the responsibilities of this role.