Policy Specialist, Evaluation and Analytics

Job title:

Policy Specialist, Evaluation and Analytics

Company

United Nations Development Programme

Job description

1. Support the implementation of Article 39 of the Evaluation Policy in close coordination between relevant units of UNDP and the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), specifically:

• Work with monitoring and evaluation (M&E) staff of the regional bureaux, central bureaux and country offices to strengthen UNDP decentralized evaluation function through compliance monitoring and capacity development.
• Provide guidance on the analysis, use and dissemination of evaluation findings and lessons to improve organizational decision-making and accountability and synthesizes evaluation lessons for institutional learning at global, regional and country levels.
• Develop management responses to independent evaluations as well as remarks, briefs and reports as requested by UNDP senior management.
• Monitor the implementation of management responses to independent evaluations and decentralized evaluations.

2. Provide support to independent evaluations to enhance the quality and use for policy making and programming, specifically:

• Provide technical support to UNDP on the content and quality of independent evaluations (thematic evaluations and Independent Country Programme Evaluations-ICPEs) produced by the IEO from the reviewing of TOR and fact checking to drafting of management responses.
• Coordinate with the IEO on the proposed evaluations, timing and strategic direction of the plans prior to submission to the Executive Board as required.
• Ensures that management responses to independent evaluations are monitored and implemented in a timely manner.
• Ensure the effective use of evaluation findings to inform policies and programmes.
• Develop UNDP’s response to the annual report on evaluation.
• Build and manage partnerships to support evaluation practices in UNDP with relevant institution through a strong partnership with the IEO.

3. Provide support and oversight of the development and implementation of central, regional and country programme evaluation plans, specifically:

• In partnerships with M&E focal points, ensure that sensible evaluations plans are prepared at country, regional and global levels.
• Ensure the quality of country programme document (CPD) evaluation plans for robust, timely and relevant decentralized evaluations.
• Coordinate with and support central and regional bureaux to ensure that responses to evaluation findings and recommendations are complete and properly recorded in the Evaluation Resource Centre.
• Support relevant bureaux to make evaluation findings inform programme design, monitoring and reporting, including the Annual Reports of the Administrator.
• Help strengthen evaluation capacities of headquarters, regional and country office staff to manage evaluation processes.
• Promote peer-to-peer networking and information on evaluation related topics.

4. Knowledge management, data analytics and evidence-based research to inform decision making, specifically:

• Contribute to the effective use, timely and clear communication and dissemination of data and evaluative evidence analytics and performance monitoring products across the organization, for lesson learning to inform policy and programming. Contribute to data analytics and research on evaluation and development performance using the Strategic Plan Integrated Results and Resources Framework (IRRF), Results Oriented Analysis Report (ROAR) and other performance management systems.
• Network with analysts in BPPS and other Central and Regional Bureaux on performance analyses to support knowledge exchange and to devise innovative approaches to data capture, analysis and research on results and performance.
• Support the production of strategic materials (briefs, proposals and/or position papers) for senior management on evaluation, data analysis and evidence.
• Keep abreast of what other agencies and organizations are doing in the areas of evaluation, business analytics and performance monitoring to inform UNDP’s research agenda.
• Provide support to relevant work of the Effectiveness Group and other corporate functions as required.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results:

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively:

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously:

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility:

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

Act with Determination:

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner:

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical:

Planning – Development planning:

• Knowledge of development planning processes at the national and local level and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Analytical – Data analysis:

• Ability to evaluate, transform and model data to derive relevant findings- undertake & provide analysis of data to assess Org performance and or global trends.

Management – Data management:

• Ability to develop and execute architectures, policies, practices and procedures in order to manage the information lifecycle needs of UNDP.

Monitoring and Evaluation – Monitoring and evaluation:

• Knowledge of methodologies, tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations.

Measurement – Data measurement:

• Ability to set goals and indicators and to interpret and synthesize results into usable information to inform policy, strategy, and/or action.

Engagement – Partnerships:

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Reporting and Communication – Brief writing:

• Ability to prepare quality briefs and/or speeches.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• At minimum, master’s degree or equivalent in development, evaluation, social sciences, economics or related field OR a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with two additional years of relevant work experience.
• Practical training in programme management and/or evaluation is an asset.

Experience:

• Required: A minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in evaluation, data analysis, programme management in the international development arena. Candidates in possession of only a first-level university degree require seven (7) years of relevant experience to be eligible for consideration.
• Required: A track record of national/international working experience in the development field some of which should be in UNDP or other UN organization in the areas of organizational strategic planning, evaluation, programme management and innovation, including on-the-ground experience.
• Required: Experience of conducting and/or managing evaluations at country level for UNDP or a similar organisation.
• Required: Solid experience in using a range of software, especially MS Excel and PowerPoint.
• Desirable: Strong oral and written communication skills, including ability to present complex information to non-specialist audience.
• Desirable: Knowledge of the role of evaluation in UNDP and important directions in evaluation and key partnerships.
• Desirable: Familiarity with the standard evaluation guidance criteria and frameworks from UNDP policy and guidance and elsewhere (e.g. UNEG, EC and relevant national and regional standards).
• Desirable: A good understanding of evaluation design including relevant quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods.
• Asset: Solid analytical skills using quantitative and/or qualitative data, ideally on evaluations and development results.
• Asset: Knowledge of capacity development and of the current efforts in evaluation capacity development.

Language Requirement:

• Required: Fluency in English, both written and oral;
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Note:

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Expected salary

Location

New York

Job date

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 02:41:32 GMT

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