E T Consultant - Evaluation Officer

Contract

This is a World Bank Group grade: EC2 contract. More about World Bank Group grade: EC2 contracts.

E T Consultant - Evaluation Officer

Description

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) plays a key role in managing for results throughout the World Bank by providing independent advice to the Board on the relevance, sustainability, efficiency, and effectiveness of operations. IEG is responsible for evaluating World Bank results, analyzing the effectiveness of World Bank projects, programs and processes, and guiding evaluation capacity development in the World Bank and in client countries.

As part of its organizational renewal, IEG’s Methods Advisory function (IEGMA) was established to help deepen the quality and credibility of IEG evaluation work in three areas: (1) Researching cutting-edge evaluation methodologies with a focus on advice to IEG staff on the best available evaluation methods to address specific evaluation questions; (2) Ensuring consistent and efficient use of data; and (3) Supporting the development of IEG staff evaluation skills, and ensuring that internal and external audiences understand and appreciate the rationale for IEG’s evaluation methodologies and approaches.

Duties and Accountabilities:

As a member of the IEGMA team the ETC will provide advisory support to evaluation teams on evaluation design and the use of conventional and innovative evaluation research methods. In addition, the ETC will contribute to IEG staff evaluation skills development, through coaching, training and delivering clinics. The ETC will report to the Methods Adviser and the Director of Strategy of Operations.

KEY TASKS:

• Provide advisory support to evaluation teams. Under the guidance of the methods adviser, the ETC will provide specialized methodological support to evaluation teams. This includes ETC mentoring and coaching IEG colleagues on the use of specific methods (e.g., econometric analysis, case-based design, interviews, and focus group discussions, etc.) and specific tools (e.g., content analysis software, statistical packages)

• Foster the use of innovative evaluation methods. The ETC will help test and validate the use of innovative methods in the context of IEG evaluations (e.g., application of data science)

• Contribute to evaluation staff capacity development. The ETC will support the delivery of training, clinics, and other learning events, in particular events relating to the use of specialized methods or evaluation design principles (e.g., sampling, reproducibility, etc.)

• Contribute to the review of evaluation approach papers and reports. The ETC will review specialized appendices and other parts of evaluation reports and approach papers (as needed) as part of IEG’s overall quality assurance process.

• Contribute to the publication of methods papers. The ETC will contribute to the curation, review and publication of methods papers that discuss the application of specific (innovative) methods in IEG evaluations.

• Contribute to the data collection and analysis activities of some evaluations. The ETC may also take part in specific thematic, corporate process or country program evaluation. As a team member the ETC will conduct data collection and analysis activities under the guidance of the evaluation TTL.

• Assist with any other related tasks of the IEGMA team as needs arise.

Selection Criteria

• A master’s degree in the social sciences (e.g., program evaluation, political science, public policy, sociology, economics) with demonstrable methodological expertise and five years of relevant experience. Given the fact that the function involves the provision of specialized methodological support to evaluation teams, a PhD would be preferred for this position with equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong analytical skills. The ability to grasp and unpack complex issues. The ability to translate complex conceptual and methodological challenges into clear and actionable language.

• Knowledge of qualitative evaluation research methods such as case-based methods (e.g. process tracing).

• Knowledge of quantitative evaluation research methods such as multivariate statistical analysis (e.g. quasi-experimental modelling) and data science applications (e.g. text analytics).

• Expertise in the use of methodological software packages. This should include statistical software such as R or STATA as well as computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo, Atlas.ti or MAXQDA.

• Excellent writing skills in English.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a sense of diplomacy and ability to work with teams in a professional and respectful manner.

• Understanding of the general literature, current issues, main concepts and terminology in development evaluation and social science research. Understanding of the stages of designing and planning an evaluation.

• High degree of motivation, initiative, flexibility, reliability and responsiveness to changing demands; capacity to multitask with demonstrated ability of being an independent starter with minimal supervision, and a high capacity to persevere for results.

Educational Requirements and experience:

• Given the fact that the function involves the provision of specialized methodological support to evaluation teams, a PhD degree in the social sciences (e.g., program evaluation, political science, public policy, sociology, economics) with a strong methodological foundation would be highly preferred for this position. However, a master’s degree with demonstrable strong (and broad-based) methodological expertise would be acceptable.

• Demonstrated experience of conducting program or policy evaluation

• Teaching or training experience (at the graduate, post-graduate level or of professionals) is a plus

• Knowledge of WBG interventions, systems and processes is a plus.

• For information about WBG Core Competencies, please visit: https://bit.ly/2kbIA7O.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable for an additional one year, at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET Appointment of two years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their second-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.