Evaluation Officer SC8, 12 Months Renewable Contract, Johannesburg

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WFP - World Food Programme

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Application deadline 3 years ago: Monday 19 Oct 2020 at 23:59 UTC

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to end global hunger. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. Present in nearly 80 countries, the organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to the lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas. We manage an operating budget of approximately $5.9 billion each year, distributing 12.6 billion rations to those most in need. We reach an average of 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries each year.

For more on WFP and what we do, please go to http://www.wfp.org/videos/zero-hunger

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to end global hunger. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. Present in nearly 80 countries, the organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to the lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas. We manage an operating budget of approximately $5.9 billion each year, distributing 12.6 billion rations to those most in need. We reach an average of 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries each year.

The Regional Bureau based in Johannesburg, South Africa (RBJ), provides strategic guidance, policy/technical support and direction to WFP operations and activities in twelve countries across the Southern Africa region: Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, DR Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Angola and Zimbabwe.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT continued

The WFP Evaluation Policy 2016-2021 reaffirms WFP’s commitment to the value of evaluation in performance management, accountability and learning, in compliance with the United Nations’ evaluation principles, norms and standards. WFP evaluation function model combines centralized evaluation with demand-led decentralized evaluation, in line with Strategic Plan commitments and related organizational strengthening initiatives. Since 2016, the organization has invested substantial resources in the development of evaluation capacity at country and regional level. Within this context, RBJ has established a Regional Evaluation Unit and within the framework of the corporate evaluation policy, developed a Regional Evaluation Strategy (RES 2018-2021) which has two goals namely:

Goal 1: Evidence from evaluations is used to inform design and implementation decisions and development of future strategies, leading to institutional effectiveness and efficiency on one hand, and to better results for the people WFP serves on the other;

Goal 2: Donors, Governments, private sector and other key stakeholders support WFP’s work because they see evidence of WFP contribution to national priorities and agenda 2030.

These goals will be achieved through achievement of two objectives:

(a) Deliver credible evaluations that adequately cover WFP Programme of work across the region

(b) Make evidence from evaluations visible to and easily accessible by internal and external stakeholders.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the evaluation officer and in close coordination with other RB staff in the functions mentioned above, the Evaluation Officer will act as the focal point within the evaluation unit on all issues related to data analysis, including analysis of use of existing data to inform evaluation design, data extraction from corporate and external systems, analysis and presentation of data collected by evaluations. The evaluation officer will be the evaluation unit focal point in the RB data working group. The evaluation officer will work in adherence to norms and standards for evaluation at all times, and observance of the code of conduct for evaluation profession within the United Nations. identification of areas of personal growth and development will be guided by the United Nations Evaluation Competence Framework.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Evaluation Management:

  1. Review design of ongoing decentralised evaluations and planned data collection approach and support Country office evaluation managers and team leaders in development of data analysis plans in ways that ensure maximum use of the data planned to be collected
  2. Support Country office evaluation managers and team leaders in preparing for and training of research assistants, including training in use of technology to collect and extra data
  3. In consultation with country office evaluation managers, assess availability and quality of existing data for planned evaluations, and provide guidance on design of data collection for evaluation in ways that maximize use of existing data
  4. Review draft inception reports and provide feedback on evaluation designs including sampling, data collection tools and analysis plans
  5. Review draft evaluation reports, focusing on data analysis and presenting of results to identify the extent to which the planned methodology as per the approved inception reports has been implemented, and provide feedback to evaluation teams with clear suggestions on how the evaluation report can be improved in this regards
  6. Receive all quantitative data sets collected during evaluations and make them available for further analysis and future use
  7. Transparently conduct further analysis of data collected during evaluations as required and produce useful products that complement approved evaluation reports and where applicable pursue options for publishing such analysis in partnership with evaluation team members

Evaluation use:

  1. Review and analyse, in collaboration with the RB monitoring team status of implementation of evaluation recommendation and actions taken, to generate knowledge and enhance use of evidence;
  2. Contribute to analysis of evaluation evidence and preparation of syntheses reports and/or summaries of evaluation findings and recommendations; and to the dissemination of these learning products, adapting messages to specific audiences and platforms.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive) continued

Reflective practice, evaluation capacity development & partnerships:

10. Review the design and data collection tools of recently completed decentralised evaluations and identify the extent to which quantitative data collected was used in preparing the evaluation reports. Make proposals on how data that was collected but not used in the preparation of reports can be used for further analysis as well is future evaluations;

11. After completion of a piece of assignment (e.g. at the end of supporting an evaluation, or further analysing data etc), prepare a knowledge assets – a two pager document that outlines what was done, what lessons were learnt and what would be done different.

Others:

1. In consultation with monitoring teams at RB and CO level, contribute to designs of baseline data collection, analysis and reporting in ways that make baseline data sets and reports useful for future evaluations

2. Contribute to preparation of detailed evaluation plans for evaluations that are included in CSPs, ensuring a clear link between timing/contents of baselines and the proposed evaluation timing and data collection methodologies

3. Represent evaluation function in the RB data working group and ensure that evaluation contributes to the vision of a “Data driven WFP” across Southern Africa

4. Supervise interns and any other support staff involved in data analysis and related tasks;

5. Any other duties as shall be allocated.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

  • Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
  • Be a force for positive change: Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
  • Make the mission inspiring to our team: Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
  • Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People

  • Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
  • Create an inclusive culture: Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
  • Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
  • Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios).

Performance

  • Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.
  • Focus on getting results: Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
  • Make commitments and make good on commitments: Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
  • Be Decisive: Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

  • Connect and share across WFP units: Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning.
  • Build strong external partnerships: Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships.
  • Be politically agile & adaptable: Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations.
  • Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Strategic Management Applies understanding of humanitarian and development actions in different contexts and understanding of monitoring requirements and/or the evaluation mandate to identify and recommend improvements to WFP’s guidance, systems, and tools for monitoring and/or evaluation. Performance Management Demonstrates thorough understanding of WFP’s performance management system and ability to manage resources and relationships to lead monitoring actions or deliver complex evaluations (including joint & inter-agency) of a variety of WFP programmes, processes or policies to WFP monitoring and/or evaluation quality standards. Qualitative/Quantitative Methodology Applies in-depth understanding of developing practice in analytical approaches, methods and tools for an appropriate mix to deliver quality monitoring results or complex evaluations on diverse topics relevant to WFP’s strategic and operational results frameworks. Technical Communication Able to tailor and synthesize evaluation evidence and engage diverse internal and external stakeholders proactively in appropriate ways to maximize learning and use of evaluation concepts and evidence for improving WFP programme performance. Analysis Demonstrates consistent ability to assess the relevance and quality of evidence from a wide range of WFP and external sources and to deepen independent and balanced analysis of complex internal and external drivers of WFP performance in the wider geo-political and policy environment.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Masters University degree in economics, statistics or relevant social science OR First University degree with an additional 1 year of related work experience and/or training/courses; Study must have included a substantial component on research methods and a completed research project/dissertation/thesis that applied quantitative methods.

At least 2 years working experience that involved collection, analysis and reporting of quantitative data, preferably related to food and nutrition security; health, education or any other areas of WFP work.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Quick to learn, able to take initiative with minimal supervision;

• Analytical, with ability to handle data and convert it into useful information transparently;

• Ability to read and assimilate a large amount of information within a short time;

• Ability to draft clear and succinct reports and other products based on data analysis and transparent interpretation of such data, within specific contexts;

• Strong communication skills (oral and written) including ability to present ideas and generate feedback from a variety of audience;

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;

• Self-confidence and creative.

Languages:

Fluency in English and French Languages is required.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Gross Monthly Salary Range: 39 544 - 56 330 ZAR

Benefits: Medical Insurance, Annual Leave, Pension

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

This vacancy announcement will close on Monday, 19 October 2020 at 11:59pm

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This position is only open to South African Nationals OR candidates with a valid South African Residence Permit.

Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: wfp.org