Evaluation Specialist (Common Oceans Programme Evaluation)
Organizational Context
The Office of Evaluation (OED) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads the organization's evaluation function. Evaluations provide accountability to member countries and the Director-General, offering insights for decision-making and oversight. They also foster corporate learning and identify improvements for FAO's programmes. OED participates in system-wide evaluations, contributing to UN development effectiveness assessments. OED seeks evaluators for the GEF-7 Common Oceans Programme evaluation, focusing on sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Job Purpose
This role supports the evaluation of the GEF-7 Common Oceans Programme and its child projects. The evaluation will assess the programme's overall performance, coherence, integration, Theory of Change, monitoring, and the added value of its programmatic approach. Specialists will also evaluate child projects implemented by FAO. The multidisciplinary team will comprise individuals with extensive evaluation expertise and complementary technical knowledge in key focus areas such as ocean governance, sustainable fisheries management, ecosystem approaches, IUU fishing prevention, marine governance, and capacity building. Candidates must not have been involved in the programme's design or implementation.
Responsibilities
Selected candidates will review programme and child project documentation, contribute to evaluation design, inception reports, and data collection instruments. They will develop theories of change, support learning activities, and disseminate evaluation results. Responsibilities include conducting interviews, consultations, field visits, and technical assessments, as well as analyzing qualitative and quantitative evidence. Candidates will assess programme and child project performance, including coherence, integration, results, and M&E arrangements. They will lead or contribute to presenting findings, drafting evaluation reports and outputs, preparing country studies, and contributing to conclusions and recommendations. Stakeholder validation and addressing reviewer comments are also key tasks.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of relevant and proven experience in evaluation and research is required. This experience should include technical areas pertinent to the GEF Common Oceans Programme. Candidates with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience beyond the standard requirement.
Skills
Demonstrated experience in conducting or contributing to complex evaluations is essential. Expertise in one or more thematic areas of the Common Oceans Programme is required, including ocean governance, sustainable fisheries management, ecosystem approaches, IUU fishing, marine governance, and capacity building. Experience with GEF projects and evaluation methods (Theory of Change, results frameworks) is crucial. Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills are necessary. Experience leading complex evaluations and multidisciplinary teams is highly desirable for senior roles. Knowledge of another FAO official language is an asset.