Evaluation and Knowledge Management Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

In June 2018, UNICEF’s Executive Board approved the revised Evaluation Policy of UNICEF. This policy sets out the purpose and use of evaluation in UNICEF, provides definitions, norms and standards and outlines governance arrangements and accountabilities as well as performance standards for the evaluation function. It aims to increase the quality, independence, credibility and utility of evaluation evidence for learning, decision making and accountability, which in turn support better results for children.

One of the key accountabilities for UNICEF’s East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) is to provide support and oversight for quality assurance activities and evaluations. The revised Evaluation Policy demands increase in coverage and quality of evaluations.

To facilitate successful implementation of the policy, ESARO is increasing its technical capacity to meet its accountabilities.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Evaluation Adviser, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Strengthen regional evaluation function and capacity development Support the implementation of revised Regional Evaluation Framework and Action Plan, in accordance with the 2018 Evaluation Policy and build regional evaluation capacity. • Monitor and report on the implementation of Regional Evaluation Framework and Action Plan and its key indicators against targets. • Support the implementation and update(s) of regional evaluation-related guidance notes on evaluation management and use, quality assurance, and national evaluation capacity development (NECD). • Organize and plan regular regional evaluation network meetings with relevant colleagues at country, regional and headquarter levels, focusing on regional priorities and key evaluation topics. • Provide evaluation capacity development support at the country and regional levels, including the design and delivery of training curricula. • Support the NECD activities and management of NECD related partnerships (including the regional Programme Cooperation Agreement with CLEAR-AA) at country and regional levels. • Support the development of, and maintain region-specific guidance on a range of topics, including: • Country Programme Evaluation terms of reference Standard operating procedures for country offices on evaluation planning, management, quality assurance and use • Support other tasks related to strengthening the regional evaluation function, including providing support to country offices and the regional office in increasing evaluability, evaluation coverage, evaluation quality, independence of evaluation function in country offices, etc. 2. Evaluation design, management, quality assurance and use Support the planning, management and quality assurance of country-level, multi-country and regional evaluations, as assigned by the Regional Evaluation Adviser. • Support evaluation planning, design, management and use of specific evaluations (and evaluative work) of country offices. • Support the quality assurance function of the Evaluation Section, reviewing terms of reference, inception reports and draft evaluation reports. • Support the management of regional evaluations (and evaluative work), in accordance with the 2018 Evaluation Policy and regional guidance notes on Evaluation Management and Use and Quality Assurance. 3. Regional knowledge management, peer support and networking Facilitate the sharing of, and learning from, evaluation-related lessons, conclusions and recommendations, and support knowledge exchanges on content and methods across and beyond arrange of regional stakeholders. • Maintain and update the Evaluation page of UNICEF ESARO public website. • Manage ESARO Evaluation Section’s SharePoint collaboration site and ensure the organization of document libraries and their contents and the accessibility to relevant users. • Provide knowledge sharing and knowledge management supports to country offices on evaluation-related topics and matters. • Liaise with the Evaluation Office at headquarters on Evidence Information Systems Integration (EISI) record keeping and related questions/issues. • Support ESARO’s Evaluation Section’s engagement in and contribution to United Nations Network for Evaluation in Eastern and Southern Africa (UNNEESA). • Develop knowledge products or organize knowledge sharing/peer learning events for different audiences on lessons, conclusions and recommendations from country-specific, multi-country and regional evaluations.

, Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

evaluation, research and/or knowledge management/learning Experience in conducting research and analysis on social and economic issues and in conducting meta-analyses or systematic reviews Demonstrated interest and skills in knowledge sharing, peer learning and networking Experience in working with multiple stakeholders at different levels – including government, civil society, and other development partners Familiarity with the development context of Eastern and Southern African countries.

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.