VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: 2101532 EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Organizational framework

The Office of Evaluation (OED) is the anchor of the evaluation function within the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Evaluation within FAO enables results to be reported to member countries and to the Director-General of FAO, providing an evidence base to guide their decisions and oversight. Evaluation also contributes to institutional learning, providing a basis for improving the Organization's programs in terms of relevance to countries, setting of objectives, design and implementation. OED also participates in system-wide evaluation initiatives, thus contributing to the analysis of the development of effectiveness of the United Nations (UN) system.

Objective of the call

The FAO Office of Evaluation (OED) has been conducting Country Program Evaluations (CPEs) since 2005 to report to Members and partners, and to learn lessons to improve FAO's program at the country level. .

The Republic of Cape Verde has been selected by OED, in consultation with the FAO Regional Office for Africa (FAORAF) and the FAO Representation in Cape Verde (FAOCV), as one of the countries where it will be conducted a CPE in 2021. This CPE will have a threefold objective: i) provide a full account to the government of Cape Verde and to development partners of FAO's approaches, strategies, deliverables and operations under the current Country Programming Framework (CPP); ii) provide evidence to FAOCV that could inform the design of the next CPF with a view to improving the impact and relevance of FAO's program to the emerging needs of the country; and iii) draw lessons that could strengthen FAO's future engagement in the country. 

The assessment will cover the period January 2018 - July 2021, and will be conducted over the period May 2021 - December 2021. Its conduct will take due account of all the risks, limitations and ethical implications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation team should adhere to the UNEG evaluation norms and standards and to the UNEG ethical guidelines for evaluation.

In this context, the FAO Office of Evaluation is looking for consultants to compose the evaluation team, namely:

• Senior Evaluation Specialist (Team Leader)
• Several evaluation specialists (team members)

Reporting relationships

The consultants will report to the OED Evaluation Officer.

Technical aspects

• Food and nutrition security policy and governance
• Fisheries and maritime economy
• Sustainable and innovative agricultural practices
• Value chain development and trade
• Land and water management
• Social inclusion and social protection
• Emergency and resilience building

Tasks and Responsibilities

SENIOR EVALUATION SPECIALIST (TEAM LEADER)

• Lead, coordinate and prepare all evaluation products and deliverables provided for in the evaluation terms of reference, based on input from team members.
• Coordinate data collection and analysis.
• Coordinate the work of team members and ensure the quality control of their products.
• Present the results of the assessment to key stakeholders in debriefing sessions, as appropriate.

EVALUATION SPECIALISTS (TEAM MEMBERS)

• Contribute to all evaluation products and deliverables provided for in the evaluation terms of reference, including through written contributions.
• Actively participate in data collection and analysis.
• Participate in debriefing sessions, if applicable.

CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA

Minimum conditions to be fulfilled  

SENIOR ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST

• Higher diploma in one of the subjects mentioned under the heading "technical orientation" or in similar fields.
• At least 8 years of experience in the field of evaluation, in particular in some of the fields listed under "technical guidance".
• Experience leading evaluation teams.
• Work experience in Cape Verde or in another small island developing state.
• Fluent knowledge of French and average knowledge of another of the official FAO languages ​​(English, Spanish, Chinese, Rousse, Arabic) for Consultants. For the PSA.SBS a fluent knowledge of French will be sufficient.

SPECIALIST EVALUATION

• Graduate diploma in one of the subjects listed under "technical orientation" or in related fields.
• At least 5 years of experience in evaluation and / or research, in particular in the fields listed under "technical guidance".
• Work experience in Cape Verde or in another small island developing state.
• Fluent knowledge of French and average knowledge of another of the official FAO languages ​​(English, Spanish, Chinese, Rousse, Arabic) for Consultants. For the PSA.SBS a fluent knowledge of French will be sufficient.

Basic skills required by FAOs

• Attention to results
• To have team spirit
• Communication skills
• Building constructive relationships
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Technical / functional skills

• A working knowledge of Portuguese and / or Cape Verdean Creole is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the development challenges faced by Small Island Developing States.
• Knowledge of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
• Knowledge of gender and social inclusion issues in areas of FAO mandate.  
• Experience in leading and facilitating remote data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of tools and platforms for remote team collaboration, data collection and analysis. 
• Understanding of the ethical principles for the conduct of evaluations presented in the ethical guidelines for evaluation of the UNEG. 
• Responsiveness and effective communication to improve team collaboration and alleviate the limitations of remote working.