CHIEF OF SECTION, INSPECTION AND EVALUATION

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Inspection and Evaluation Division (IED) of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) at Headquarters, duty station New York. The Chief of Section will lead and supervise evaluation staff and consultants in conducting evaluations of subprogrammes, mission components, programmes and thematic cross-cutting topics of the United Nations Secretariat. The Chief of Section will report to the Director of OIOS-IED. The Office of Internal Oversight Services is the internal oversight body of the United Nations and assists the Secretary-General in fulfilling his oversight responsibilities in respect of the resources and staff of the Organization through the provision of audit, investigation, and inspection and evaluation services. The Office of Internal Oversight Services is an independent office reporting to the Secretary-General and to the General Assembly. The Inspection and Evaluation Division focuses on the conduct of independent inspections and evaluations on behalf of the Secretary-General and the Member States. IED evaluations and inspections are meant to assist intergovernmental bodies and programme managers in assessing the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and impact of Secretariat programmes. In accordance with its mandate, set forth in General Assembly resolution A/RES/48/218 B (and later resolutions A/RES/54/244 and A/RES/59/272), the role of IED is to help assure the accountability of Secretariat programmes for attaining their mandates, while in the process foster institutional learning and improvement through reflection by programmes and Member States on performance and results.

Responsibilities

The Chief of Section will be responsible for the following duties: • Supervises a section of evaluation staff in conducting evaluations and provides guidance to evaluation teams on scoping, planning, designing, collecting and analyzing data and report drafting for evaluation and inspection assignments of United Nations Secretariat programmes and activities, ensuring the timeliness, relevance, credibility, and utility; assumes team leadership of individual evaluation projects, as necessary • Mentors, develops and provides guidance to staff in the section, including on evaluation methods and approaches • Supervises and directly supports the development of evaluation designs, inception papers and terms of reference • Supervises and directly undertakes data collection efforts across multiple qualitative and quantitative methods; reviews, analyzes and interprets data; and develops evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to evaluation team members, external consultants, and other parties and drafting mission summaries • Supervises preparation of draft and final evaluation reports and of various written outputs, including ensuring the incorporation of client comments • Leads evaluation briefings to the Director, the Office of the Under-Secretary-General and evaluation clients • Ensures quality standards for evaluations in the section • Leads evaluations that are impartial, independent and credible and that meet professional standards • Takes leadership of Division-wide initiatives for strengthening the work of IED, including work planning and staff development • Undertakes administrative functions in the Division, including recruitment • Provides substantive backstopping to the Director in presenting evaluations to the Committee for Programme and Coordination, the Fifth Committee, and other intergovernmental bodies • Coordinates activities related to budget funding (division, section and evaluation project budget preparation and submissions, progress reports, and financial statements) • Participates in the follow-up to evaluation assignments by: (a) tracking evaluation recommendations through OIOS Teammate+ and determining the final implementation of those recommendations and their outcomes • Identifies priorities and risks facing individual evaluations, OIOS-IED, and OIOS more broadly, as well as strategies for addressing these. • Serves as a spokesperson for OIOS-IED on assigned matters; supports the OIOS-IED Director and the OIOS Under-Secretary-General in their initiatives to strengthen Division- and Department-wide relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency • Establishes and maintains effective relationships with evaluands, partners in the Secretariat, funds and programmes, OIOS Audit and Investigation Divisions, and others • Leads team members’ efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Performs other related duties as required Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Establish and maintain relationships with counterparts; leadership, senior officers and programme managers in relevant Secretariat programmes and missions, UN funds and programs and other UN specialized agencies; consultants; representatives and officials in national governments; international organizations; members of intergovernmental bodies; and representatives of governments Results expected: Produces high-quality and timely evaluations assigned to the section. Effectively develops, guides and supports staff in their professional development and in meeting their objectives. Provides substantive support in the servicing of various committees and intergovernmental bodies. Serves as an effective spokesperson internally and externally and forms strong partnerships with relevant parties.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of inspection and evaluation and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review, edit the work of others. Ability to apply the United Nations regulations, rules, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly. Judgement/decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Programme Evaluation, International Affairs, Economics, International Development or a related field is required. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in evaluation of projects and programmes is required. Experience in supervising evaluation staff is required. Experience in the use of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methodologies is required. Experience working in an international organization is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience evaluating the United Nations development, humanitarian, human rights or peace and security pillars is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This post is financed by the Regular Budget. Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment, or assignment, and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 Nov 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.