Evaluation Specialists - One Health, Food Security and Crisis Contexts

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is dedicated to defeating hunger and achieving food security globally. Operating in over 130 countries, FAO provides normative work, policy advice, technical assistance, capacity development, and emergency response. Its independent Office of Evaluation (OED) assesses FAO's strategies, programmes, and projects to generate evidence for accountability, learning, and decision-making. OED seeks experienced evaluators and specialists for upcoming evaluations focusing on integrated One Health approaches, pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, food security analysis, early warning, and crisis contexts.

Job Purpose

Selected specialists will contribute to forthcoming evaluations conducted by FAO's Office of Evaluation (OED). Working under the supervision of an OED Responsible Officer and the overall direction of the Director, Office of Evaluation, these roles are crucial for assessing FAO's work at the nexus of humanitarian, development, and normative actions. The evaluations will specifically examine integrated One Health approaches, pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, food security analysis, early warning systems, and responses within crisis contexts. The objective is to provide credible and useful evidence to support FAO's accountability, facilitate learning, and inform future decision-making processes across its global operations.

Responsibilities

Selected candidates will undertake various tasks depending on the specific assignment. This includes reviewing programme, project, and technical documentation; contributing to the design of evaluations, inception reports, and data collection instruments; and developing theories of change. Specialists will support learning activities and the dissemination of evaluation findings. Key responsibilities involve conducting interviews, consultations, field visits, and technical assessments, as well as analyzing both qualitative and quantitative evidence. They will assess the relevance, effectiveness, sustainability, and contribution of FAO-supported interventions, prepare country studies and technical notes, and provide substantive input for evaluation reports. Furthermore, specialists will contribute to formulating findings, conclusions, and recommendations, participate in stakeholder validation processes, and address feedback from stakeholders and quality assurance reviewers.

Work Experience

A minimum of one year of professional experience in evaluation, research, technical assessment, or programme implementation is required, commensurate with the consultant or PSA level. Experience working across humanitarian, development, and normative contexts is essential. Familiarity with theory-based evaluation, contribution analysis, mixed methods, or systems approaches is beneficial. Experience in fragile, conflict-affected, or food crisis contexts is desirable, as is experience with UN, multilateral organizations, government institutions, or international development partners.

Skills

Essential skills include strong analytical, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and interviewing capabilities. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to synthesize complex evidence and produce clear, balanced, and evidence-based evaluation products. Expertise in one or more of the following areas is required: One Health, pandemic preparedness, animal or public health, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, Codex standards, disease surveillance, laboratory systems, food security analysis, early warning, humanitarian response, or crisis preparedness. Proficiency in an FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish) is necessary. Experience with international field missions is also required.

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