Evaluation Officer (Impact Evaluations)

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency dedicated to defeating hunger and promoting sustainable agrifood systems globally. FAO implements diverse projects and initiatives across various sectors, including fisheries, forestry, agriculture, and food systems. The organization's independent Office of Evaluation (OED) assesses the strategic alignment, implementation, efficacy, and efficiency of FAO's work. OED generates evidence and insights to inform decisions, support oversight, and enhance results accountability to member nations and the Director-General, contributing to the UN system's effectiveness in development and humanitarian efforts.

Job Purpose

The Evaluation Officer (Impact Evaluations) plays a crucial role in planning, designing, conducting, and promoting the use of impact evaluations for FAO projects and programmes. This position contributes to enhanced results-accountability, enriched organizational learning, and the mentoring of junior evaluation staff. The officer will actively participate in multidisciplinary evaluation teams, often collaborating with internal and external partners. A key responsibility is leading impact evaluations using rigorous experimental and quasi-experimental designs, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, and preparing comprehensive reports for dissemination. The role also involves presenting findings, promoting the application of evaluation results in strategic planning and implementation, and fostering a results-based and learning culture within the Organization.

Responsibilities

Participate actively and productively in multidisciplinary evaluation teams, often with internal and external partners. Design and lead impact evaluations of complex projects, programmes, operations, and themes using experimental and quasi-experimental impact evaluation designs, including randomized control trials, regression discontinuity, and propensity score matching. Apply rigorous analytic thinking in leading the analysis of collected qualitative and quantitative data. Prepare evaluation reports and other materials for dissemination. Present findings, conclusions, and recommendations of evaluations to relevant audiences. Promote the use of evaluation findings in the design and implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects. Liaise and collaborate with other units of the Organization to promote a results-based and evaluation culture, and enhanced learning from evaluations. Keep abreast of methodological developments in evaluation. Guide junior evaluation officers and consultants in conducting evaluations. Perform other duties as required.

Work Experience

Seven years of demonstrated work experience conducting impact evaluations. Experience in fields related to FAO's mission, such as agriculture, nutrition, or emergency and resilience, is highly desirable. Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is also desirable.

Skills

Expertise in leading and conducting impact evaluations using designs that establish cause and effect relationships rigorously. Proven ability to deliver clear and concise reports and presentations. Demonstrated experience through publications in peer-reviewed journals (at least three highly desirable). Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (level B).

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