Evaluation Officer

Introduction

The Evaluation Office is responsible for the consolidation, coordination and oversight of all evaluation activities of the ILO, both at the strategic and the project level covering all programmatic and development cooperation activities. It is the specific mandate of the Evaluation Office to improve transparency and independence of the analysis and evaluation of ILO’s development cooperation results. A substantial part of EVAL’s work is to ensure that evaluations of development cooperation projects funded from extra-budgetary resources are completed in time and up to international standards. 

The evaluation work encompasses centralized and decentralized activities, involving a small team of evaluators in HQ, Regional Evaluation Officers, Departmental Evaluation Focal Points and over 100 certified evaluation managers. This requires that guidance notes are dynamic and up-to-date, including training efforts to keep the network informed and trained to work to the highest possible standard.

The Evaluation Officer is responsible for completing work associated with the evaluation of development cooperation projects in regions (Latin America and Caribbean and RBSA projects in particular); support to high-level evaluations for the GB; meta-studies and synthesis reviews on specific on themes or performance effectiveness; training of evaluation managers and internal evaluators; and SDG and evaluation related work items. Support to the updating of and maintenance of the extensive guidance, checklists, templates and tools on evaluation of development cooperation projects will be expected as well. 

The programme of work of the Evaluation Office reflects the composition of the portfolio particularly related to Development (Technical) Cooperation, and peak periods that require more support to individual evaluations than normal. 

Reporting lines for this position include ultimate supervision by the Director; with guidance provided by the Senior Evaluation Officers as needed. 
 

Description of Duties

• Plan and manage evaluation work, and analyse evaluation reports in order to ensure conformity with the ILO evaluation policy and strategic framework, and with specific criteria for independence and credibility (Latin America desk). 

• Participate in evaluation of ILO strategies and country programmes. Provide advice and information on evaluation methodologies and good practices, assist evaluation focal network managing programme and project evaluations within the Office. 

• Monitor implementation of follow up actions to approved evaluation recommendations. 

• Contribute to the preparation of the Annual Evaluation Report for the Governing Body and other programme implementation and activities reports. 

• Participate in independent high-level evaluations by preparing desk-reviews, collecting and analysing data. Organize and conduct interviews. 

• Prepare training material, plan and conduct training seminars and workshops as a resource person, and represent EVAL in meetings and working groups. 

• Contribute to knowledge management system on evaluation, including EVAL communities of practice, evaluation web pages and evaluation database. 

• Contribute to additional material for capacity building and provision of support to social partners, ILO officials and partners in evaluation to integrate evaluation in the work of ILO in the new context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ILO’s technical cooperation. 

• Oversee planning and use of RBSA funded activities of EVAL at HQ and in the regions related to evaluation activities. 

• Support to Meta-analysis and studies on issues of quality, effectiveness of development cooperation projects, lessons learned and models of interventions. 
 

Required qualifications

Education

A second level university degree in economics, social science, international development studies or relevant field. Preferable training or coursework in research methodology, ideally in evaluation. 

Experience

At least five years of professional experience in the evaluation of development cooperation or relevant research work. Work experience with ILO or UN projects will be an asset. Experience in conceptualising, designing and preparing training and learning material as well as guidelines on monitoring and evaluation would be preferable. Knowledge of the SDGs, evaluation in the UN system and the international development evaluation field would be desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of English and good knowledge of Spanish is required to backstop evaluation work (Latin America desk). Knowledge of French will be an asset. 

Competencies

Knowledge of UN system evaluation methods, techniques, RBM principles, and concepts.

Strong research and evaluative analysis skills

Knowledge of international evaluation standards, methodologies and terminology and ability to interpret and work within applicable policies, regulations and procedures.

Knowledge of the programming cycle.

Knowledge of the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities.

Technical evaluation skills with ability to manage and conduct evaluations. 

Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods and data analysis software. Ability to collect reliable, valid and accurate information and analyse it objectively. 

Ability to communicate evaluation standards and methodologies to a diverse audience. 

Drafting skills and ability to write analytical reports.

Ability to maintain independence and impartiality at all stages of the evaluation, ensuring ethical evaluation process.

Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.