Evaluation Specialists (Agrobiodiversity and Financing Instruments)

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' Office of Evaluation (OED) is undertaking an evaluation of the Benefit-sharing Fund (BSF). This fund, established under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), supports farmers and national systems in conserving and using plant genetic resources. Since 2009, the BSF has funded 99 projects globally, focusing on developing resilient crop varieties and addressing food security, biodiversity loss, and climate change through farmer-led initiatives.

Job Purpose

This evaluation aims to generate lessons and recommendations for future BSF funding cycles and the Treaty's Funding Strategy review. It will assess the BSF as both a financing mechanism and a project portfolio, with a primary focus on cycles 4 and 5. The evaluation will adopt an integrated approach, examining ongoing projects from a formative perspective and using earlier cycles to analyze trends. The multidisciplinary team will require expertise in areas such as plant genetic resource conservation, seed systems, financing instruments for agrobiodiversity, and access and benefit-sharing mechanisms. Candidates must not have been directly involved in BSF project design or implementation.

Responsibilities

Provide technical input for refining the evaluation design, data collection tools, and analytical framework for the BSF assessment. Lead or contribute to thematic and strategic analysis in relevant areas, applying expert judgment and comparative insights. Collect and analyze primary and secondary data through document review and interviews with diverse BSF stakeholders, including executing institutions, government representatives, farmers' groups, development partners, civil society, and private sector actors. Participate in evaluation missions, validation workshops, and stakeholder consultations. Synthesize evidence from multiple sources to develop robust findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Draft analytical sections of the evaluation report and contribute to the overall synthesis and finalization of deliverables.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in agrobiodiversity and/or in evaluations of related programs or financing mechanisms. Demonstrated experience in managing, implementing, or evaluating programs or financing mechanisms related to agrobiodiversity, including conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), across diverse regional contexts.

Skills

Relevant thematic expertise in agrobiodiversity, including PGRFA or related areas. Experience with multilateral financing mechanisms, global treaties, or international policy processes. Familiarity with the ITPGRFA or related international frameworks on biodiversity and access and benefit-sharing (ABS). Proven experience in independent evaluations of related programs, portfolios, or financing mechanisms. Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and interviewing skills. Core competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing.

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