Org. Setting and Reporting

The post is located in the Independent Evaluation Section (IES) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. IES is functionally and operationally independent and located in the Office of the Executive Director (OED) of UNODC. IES ensures independent, timely and effective evaluations, in line with the standards and norms of the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG), delivers capacity building, develops innovative evaluation methodologies and offers services related to evaluation knowledge management, innovation and communication. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Evaluation Officer acting as Deputy Chief of IES and overall supervision of the Chief of IES.

For more information on UNODC, please visit: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Evaluation Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Contribute to the management of programme in-depth and strategic evaluations as well as the backstopping of Independent Project Evaluations relating to UNODC’s mandated area of work on countering and preventing drugs, crime, and terrorism, ensuring that these evaluations are carried out in an impartial, objective, and credible manner following UNODC evaluation standards and rules, including those provided by the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG).
• Contribute to the strengthening of evaluation capacity in UNODC Headquarters and Field Offices through systematic needs-assessment for evaluation capacity-building, tailored evaluation trainings, including joint initiatives; in cooperation with all three IES teams, provide assistance to facilitate special evaluation capacity building activities and presentations on evaluation matters.
• Contribute to IES activities on strengthening national evaluation capacities, providing support to Member States in building their own capacity for the evaluation of programmes and projects and facilitate exchange of experiences and knowledge from the evaluations, including in relation to these contained in the resolution E/CN.15/2023/L.7 by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).
• Provide substantive support to the continuous development of UNODC evaluation normative standards and tools, such as the Evaluation Handbook, evaluation guidelines and templates, etc. in accordance with the international evaluation standards and best practices as identified by the General Assembly, other evaluation functions by UN relevant organs and offices, including UNEG, and ensure adequate involvement of UNODC Member States in the process as per established guidelines.
• Under the supervision of the Evaluation Officer acting as the Deputy Chief of IES, participate in selected, strategic evaluation activities of the Section, e.g., formulating a strategic approach to evaluations within the overall framework of the relevant international instruments and defining the role of evaluation in the UN Management Reforms and SDGs, etc., as well as contribute to IES’ engagement with UNEG and other UN evaluation functions.
• Contribute to the development of evaluation-related knowledge management products of IES, including e.g., evaluation meta-syntheses on UNODC’s mandated areas of work, including beyond an individual organisation.
• Contribute to a strengthened dissemination of evaluation-based knowledge products and evaluation results, including enhancing IES communication approach and features of the evaluation management application, Unite Evaluations.
• Collect and analyze data in relation to the management or backstopping of evaluations to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Participate in the recruitment of evaluation consultants, interns, etc., if requested.
• Undertake outreach activities; make presentations on assigned evaluation topics/activities.
• Contribute to the elaboration of the annual work-plan of the Section.
• Assume additional responsibilities regarding the work, outreach and strengthening of IES as and when required.
• Contribute to improving Gender, disability inclusion and Human Rights Aspects in the work of IES.
• Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge of international standards and practices in evaluation and respective evaluation methodologies. Has knowledge of UN system evaluation standards and practices. Has knowledge of UNODCs mandated areas of work on international crime, drugs and terrorism programme and policies.; has proven ability to produce evaluation reports and papers. Has knowledge of evaluation management tools and applications; has proven ability in conducting capacity development on evaluation. Is able to review and edit the evaluation work of others. Demonstrates good judgment and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact. Is able to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve the goals of the Unit. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in relation to the management or backstopping of evaluations in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in evaluation, social sciences or a similar relevant discipline is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in contributing to the management of independent evaluations of programmes and strategies and backstopping independent project evaluations is required.

A minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional work experience in delivering capacity development on evaluations of projects, programmes and strategies relating to UNODC’s mandated areas of work on countering and preventing drugs, crime, and terrorism in an international context is required.

Work experience in managing joint evaluations as well as conducting strategic meta-evaluations, including beyond an individual organisation, is desirable.

Work experience in national evaluation capacity building is desirable.

Work experience in evaluation-based knowledge management and working with a project/programme evaluation management application with knowledge management and reporting functionalities is desirable.

Work experience with the United Nations system or a similar international organization is desirable.

Experience in data analytics or related area in relation to the management or backstopping of evaluations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Democratic People’s Republic, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.¿

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.¿ All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.¿ The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff.¿ Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.