Chief, Central Evaluation Division At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Chief, Central Evaluation Division

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P5

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 21 June 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Fiji; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Office of Internal Oversight, the Chief, Central Evaluation Division supports and promotes learning, accountability and performance through the work of the Central Evaluation Division (CED) that contributes to strategic planning, decision-making and organizational leadership.

The Chief, Central Evaluation Division, in consultation with the Director, OIO, decides on the overall direction, strategy and work program of CED, submits a budget for its implementation and oversees CED’s work. The Chief provides regular reporting to the Director, and when relevant to the Director General, on the conduct and delivery of evaluations included in the central evaluation plans or on other corporate, joint and strategic evaluations and reviews of importance to the organisation. The Chief prepares a detailed Annual Report on Evaluation and contributes to the Annual Report of OIO submitted to IOM Governing Bodies. In agreement with the Director, OIO and IOM Director General, the Chief can recommend presentations of IOM evaluation work to IOM Governing Bodies and/or Member States when strategically relevant for the organisation.

The Chief leads CED and its staff for implementing the CED strategy and programme of work, and also provides overall guidance and technical support for the development and reinforcement of an evaluation culture in IOM and of decentralized evaluations. The work of the Chief is also guided by the IOM Evaluation Policy and by the OIO Charter.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Establish IOM Evaluation Policy, Strategy, Reporting and Work Plans for the effective delivery of the evaluation function in IOM and lead all aspects of evaluation policy, strategy and practice, in particular the establishment of guiding norms, standards and ethics and, the proper application of technical methods and quality assurance processes.
2. Manage and promote evaluation partnerships with key Evaluation networks and organizations, as well as UN inter-agency collaboration through the UN Evaluation Group (UNEG) and the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation Steering Group (IAHE-SG); disseminate relevant information and processes on UN and international evaluation practices and trends.
3. Enhance and supervise the development, use and promotion of evaluation frameworks, processes and work plans, and reinforce coordination and information sharing on evaluation matters through CED managed internal networking.
4. Provide information to and answer requests from IOM Member States, donors and partners on evaluation matters and institutional policies and approaches in IOM.
5. Lead the preparation and delivery of the CED workplans laying out strategic projects, programmes and priorities and identifying major global thematic and strategic evaluations, in close cooperation with IOM Departments and Regional Offices; promote and advocate for the use of evaluations and follow-up of recommendations, including for decision-making.
6. Oversee the conduct of complex strategic and thematic evaluations through IOM staff or the use of external consultants, guaranteeing adherence to professional standards and the participation of CED in joint evaluations with other organizations and evaluation entities.
7. Lead the development and professionalization of IOM evaluation function through innovative approaches, methodologies and guidelines, as well as through CED training and technical guidance to IOM Country Offices worldwide, including in disseminating best practices.
8. Establish effective, flexible and responsive working relationships with IOM Senior Management, Regional Directors, Chiefs of Mission and Directors of Departments and promote the use of evaluations results in the design and implementation of IOM strategies, policies and new projects/programmes.
9. Ensure gender and diversity are effectively integrated into all aspects of evaluation activities of the Organization, as well as other cross-cutting issues such as environment and climate change and human rights and protection.
10. Provide direction for effectively managing central evaluation resources (human and financial) to implement the evaluation strategy and workplans of CED. Motivate, coach and support evaluation staff to create a unified evaluation culture and to reach common goals.
11. Supervise the recruitment, evaluation and retention of the most qualified professional candidates for CED, while fostering and developing a culturally diverse workplace.
12. Guarantee representation of CED in evaluation related meetings, workshops, task forces or conferences and provide information and data for inclusion in reports to IOM Governing Bodies, or other such specific reports on oversight and evaluation, including with the IOM Oversight Advisory Committee (AOAC).
13. In close coordination and collaboration with the OIO Chiefs of Internal Audit Regional Centers and in Geneva, promote matters of common interest and for conducting joint reviews/evaluations.
14. Perform any other tasks as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Political Science and/or in Evaluation or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• At least ten years (twelve years for bachelor’s degree holders) of professional experience related to programme, thematic and strategic evaluation, with a proven track record in managing the Evaluation function at a corporate/institutional level of regional, multilateral, and/or international organizations;
• Experience in leading, managing, and/or conducting complex, thematic, and/or sensitive evaluations, including preparation of comprehensive and robust evaluation reports for submission to IOM Management and presentation to governing bodies;
• Experience in ensuring that evaluations conducted by staff, and/or evaluation firms have the appropriate technical skills and knowledge and that they use and apply various evaluation methodologies and types, including impact evaluations; and,
• Experience in representing CED in UN related bodies or similar entities and in the promotion of Evaluation with external stakeholders including Member States.

Skills

• Demonstrated abilities in managing tasks and people, in the timely delivery of expected results, and working collaboratively with other divisions in OIO; and,
• Ability to conduct or supervise independent evaluation engagements and maintain constructive working relations with clients that add value to their work and programmes.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

This position is classified as “tenured”. The selected candidate will be subject to a maximum tenure of (a) 8 years of service, if they did not hold other positions within IOM at the duty station of the tenured post, or (b) 11 years of service at the duty station, if they held other staff positions at the current IOM duty station of the tenured post (regardless of position type or contract type). Upon reaching the maximum tenure, the incumbent must vacate the position.

The recruitment process of the Chief of Evaluation is guided by provisions on such specific recruitments contained in the IOM Evaluation Policy, the UNEG Norms and Standards, the UNEG Competency framework, and the OIO Charter.

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.