Evaluation and Inspection Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the Secretariat of the Joint Inspection Unit. The JIU is responsible to the General Assembly and to the legislative organs of organizations within the United Nations system that accept its statute as a system-wide oversight body. Applicants from JIU participating organizations will be considered internal candidates for this position, provided they have been appointed through the normal appointment and promotion procedure applicable in their organization. The incumbent will report to a Senior Evaluation and Inspection Officer, delegated by the Executive Secretary of the JIU. Substantive guidance will be provided by the Inspector(s) in charge of the management of the relevant evaluations or inspections. The incumbent is expected to work mostly independently with minimum supervision. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Assists in conducting impartial, independent, professional and effective evaluations and inspections by: a) planning and organizing evaluations and inspections, drafting terms of reference, developing detailed work plans, drafting data collection matrix, drafting correspondence, gathering information and conducting preliminary reviews of quantitative and qualitative data, developing questionnaires and surveys; b) developing interview guides, participating in evaluation and inspection missions, assisting and advising the Inspectors, participating in interviews, gathering and reviewing documents and other information and documenting the results; c) analyzing all information collected using quantitative and qualitative methods for data analysis, including sampling techniques, as appropriate; d) drafting evaluation and inspection reports, notes and management (confidential) letters including recommendations for action; e) reviewing comments received from participating organizations on draft reports and other deliverables; f) liaising with the editors and other relevant staff to ensure the timely finalization of the report. 2. Helps to ensure that evaluation and inspection findings and recommendations have the intended impact by: a) drafting clear and relevant recommendations, addressing the root causes of the areas of improvement identified; b) monitoring timely consideration of reports and recommendations by legislative bodies and executive heads; c) following–up on the acceptance and implementation of recommendations; d) contribute to/prepare review highlights and other outreach products related to the review; e) assisting in organizing meetings and presentations to present and disseminate evaluation and inspection findings and recommendations. 3. Acts as focal point officer for selected participating organizations by: a) keeping abreast of developments in those organizations and informing the Inspectors concerned and the Executive Secretary on issues relevant to the work of the JIU; b) participating with the inspectors in meetings with officials from participating organizations, interagency meetings and intergovernmental meetings, as required; c) providing input to the preparation of updates, summaries and (risk) assessments on JIU relationships with selected participating organizations. 4. Contributes to further developing and refining evaluation and inspection methodologies and tools by: a) keeping abreast of developments in the evaluation and audit professions; b) identifying issues and contributing to the development of policies, guidance and procedures; c) facilitating cooperation and interaction with other UN evaluation and inspection units and professional bodies. 5. Contributes to the preparation of the JIU Annual Programme of Work by: a) identifying issues or areas which could benefit from an evaluation or inspection, and developing proposals for consideration by the Inspectors; b) assisting in the validation of proposals received for the Programme of Work, gathering background information and assessing resource requirements. 6. Performs other related duties and assignments as and when required, including training, JIU team meetings, support to JIU initiatives, participating in relevant UN initiatives, etc. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Familiarity with the UN system and its key mandates and reform initiatives. Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the field of evaluation and audit. Understand and map processes and systems, analyze large amounts of evidence, identify areas for improvement, formulate evidence-based conclusions and relevant and appropriate recommendations in line with best practices. Knowledge of advanced quantitative and qualitative data analytics tools. Proven drafting skills. Ability to speak clearly and effectively in a concise manner, ask pertinent questions, listen to others, correctly interpret messages received and respond appropriately. 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. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, public administration, business administration, programme evaluation or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationA relevant professional certificate (e.g. CPA/ACA, CIA, CISA, etc) is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of work experience, of which at least two years in areas such as project or programme management, change management, business process reengineering/design, data analysis or a combination of these areas, is required. International experience is desirable. Experience in designing and preparing outreach products communicating evaluation findings to various audiences is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special Notice• This position is temporarily available for six (6) months, with possibility of extension based on the availability of the funds. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement. " Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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 FeeTHE 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.