Evaluation Specialist

Volunteering Admin Legal

Overview

Provide high-quality evaluation support for the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.

You have:

• Experience conducting research work in an international/regional context, focusing on areas of climate resilience, coastal adaptation, natural resource management, access to justice, inclusive governance, or other relevant programmes; experience with commissioning evaluations is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.
• Experience of working in the areas of monitoring and evaluation of projects/programmes is a desired/mandatory required technical knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Sound overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Desirable: valid national driver's license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain.
• Have affinity with or interest in working in the Pacific, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

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.

The UNDP Multi Country Office (MCO) in Fiji, through the Management and Performance Oversight unit under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative provides effective oversight of programme and project management and ensuring the Office’s compliance with UNDP policies. The unit coordinates the implementation of the MCO Gender Strategy and Action Plan, gender mainstreaming efforts and coordination of the gender seal work across MCO. It also provides overall guidance on Programme resource management, portfolio management, pipeline development, project Quality Assurance (QA), focusing on results and target setting, monitoring, multi-year work planning, development effectiveness, and efficiency and donor reporting (annual and project). The unit further provides cost-efficiency analysis of the country programme delivery and capabilities required, consolidates MCO financial planning and financial and resource management performance and undertakes monitoring and addressing issues related to management performance trends identified by Integrated Financial Dashboard (IFD), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Audits, Quality Assurance reviews, Vital signs, Harmonized Cash Transfer (HACT), Transparency portal, and other corporate and regional tools and structures. Based in UNDP Pacific office in Suva, Fiji, the Evaluation Specialist will; • Ensure the UNDP Pacific Office 2025-2026 Evaluation Plan is implemented and completed within the agreed timeframe. • Under the guidance of the Team Leader, work with UNDP respective programme/project leads to ensure high quality terms of references and evaluation reports are produced by the consultants. • Review and update the evaluation reports and provide guidance to consultants. • Develop an evaluation knowledge package based on findings and recommendations from UNDP Pacific evaluations from 2023-2025.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Team Lead for the MPO Unit, the Evaluation Specialist will work in close collaboration with relevant project managers, regional technical advisors (RTAs) and team leaders under the UNDP Pacific portfolios. The Evaluation Specialist will engage in evaluation-related tasks, including: :

a.) Support to Management on evaluations: • Support the development of planned evaluation using a portfolio approach for the MCO • Support the evaluation manager and the MCO ensuring administrative and logistical aspects of evaluation planning, management and liaison with designated UNDP focal points throughout evaluation processes as necessary; • Ensure editing of evaluation reports are up to UNDP Evaluation Standards for GEF projects ( GEF PROJECT EVALUATION GUIDELINES) and non-GEF projects ( UNDP EVALUATION GUIDELINES ). The evaluation reports are to align to the latest quality assurance standards set for UNDP evaluations;

b.) Evaluation Oversight and Quality Assurance • Guide and quality assure the development and finalization of the evaluation terms of reference and the draft reports; • Work with MCO Evaluation focal point to address the QA reports received from RBAP; • Consolidate evaluation information such the Quality Assurance Report;

c.) Evaluation Capacity Building • Participate in evaluation team meetings, and meetings of the Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific (RBAP) throughout the evaluation process; • Participate and contribute initiatives shared from RBAP and/or Independent Evaluation Office (IEO); • Contribute by conducting key Evaluation Office initiatives, and learning/training and information activities on evaluation organized by UNEG to develop skills.

d.) Evaluation Knowledge Management • Document lessons learned and best practices to facilitate learning; • Contribute to the development of communication and dissemination tools from evaluations are user ready to inform management; • Consolidate evaluation information such the Quality Assurance Report working towards improving the overall quality of evaluations for the MCO.

e.) Results/Expected Outputs As an active UNDP team member, the selected individual will provide efficient, timely, responsive and high-quality support on evaluation to the Fiji Multi-Country Office. The evaluation specialist will contribute to targeted result of producing credible and useful evaluations that enhance organizational learning within UNDP, engaging in a variety of activities and producing a range of outputs leading to results. These include: • Briefing notes associated with background research are produced at a high level of accuracy, thoroughness, and clarity, enabling team members to readily grasp the key issues at hand; • Sound operational management support to the conduct of evaluations, contributing to the smooth operations of these missions; • Draft of concept and technical notes, terms of reference, presentations and other internal documents as well as reviews of evaluation deliverables (inception report, draft final reports) are provided in timely manner and at a high level of quality, timeliness, accuracy, thoroughness, and clarity, enhancing the overall quality of the outputs and activities at hand; • Contributions to Evaluation Guidance, Policy and Communication initiatives and documents prepared by the Evaluation Office are well researched and well written, resulting in documents that help disseminate evaluation products and raise awareness of evaluation across the Organization; • Copy editing and proof reading of other team member’s outputs adds value to their drafts; • Participation in key team meetings in active, constructive and consistent with the UNDP values and competencies, contributing to the smooth project implementation and positive functioning of the team • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on the job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including implementing partners (IPs); • Document lessons learned and best practices to facilitate learning; • Contribute to the development of communication and dissemination tools from evaluations are user ready to inform management; • Consolidate evaluation information such the Quality Assurance Report working towards improving the overall quality of evaluations for the MCO.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

• Experience conducting research work in an international/regional context, focusing on areas of climate resilience, coastal adaptation, natural resource management, access to justice, inclusive governance or other relevant programmes; experience with commissioning evaluations is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Experience of working in the areas of monitoring and evaluation of projects/programmes is a desired/mandatory required technical knowledge; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in working in the Pacific, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Fiji, one of the larger countries in the South Pacific region, has a relatively high level of human development and is one of the most developed economies in the region. Fiji became independent in 1970. Its multi-ethnic population, which numbers approximately 900,000, is growing slowly due to a moderately low level of fertility and a high level of emigration. The economy rests primarily on sugar production and tourism but is becoming more diverse, with manufacturing now an important sector of employment. The unit of currency is the Fiji dollar.

Fiji comprises approximately 330 islands, approximately a third of which are inhabited. Fiji covers about 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The capital city is Suva, which is located on the south-eastern side of the main island of Viti Levu. The population is made up of a mixture of native Melanesian and Polynesian islanders and a blend of Indian, European, Chinese, Rotuman, and Rabi islanders, making it a rich and vibrant mix of cultures, sights, sounds, and exotic island delicacies. English is spoken widely on the island, and it is the common language of communication, although the native indigenous Fijian language is spoken by many, as is the Hindi language.

Fiji enjoys a mild and stable climate most of the year, due to the large expanses of open water that surround its islands. The wet season extends from November to April, but rainfall occurs throughout the year. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous. Fiji enjoys year-round tropical temperatures of between 25 and 29 degrees with generally high humidity, making it a perfect location for sun-lovers.

Suva, the capital of Fiji, has a population of approximately 141,000 and is a multiracial and multicultural city. Suva is the largest city in the whole of the region, but it remains easy-going and friendly. It has reasonably modern facilities, including two large hospitals, sporting facilities, restaurants, and supermarkets. Modest accommodation is readily available in Suva, but the availability of small apartments is limited. An open mind and flexibility come in handy when looking for housing in Suva. The public transport is quite good: local buses run every day of the week, and taxis are affordable. Public transport is also available for exploring and visiting other parts of the country, which provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and tropical nature.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org