Panama: Evaluation Officer

Organization: International Organization for Migration
Country: Panama
Closing date: 01 Oct 2014

OPEN TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CANDIDATES

Classification : Official, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Reference Code: VN2014/52(O)-EXT

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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 has a proactive recruitment policy to increase the representation of nationals of non- represented member states. Qualified applicants from the following countries will be favorably considered:

Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Czech Republic, Comoros, Djibouti, El Salvador, Gabon, Gambia, Guyana, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Montenegro, Micronesia, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Slovenia, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen

Applications from qualified female candidates are especially encouraged.

The Evaluation function in IOM is part of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that also covers the functions of Internal Audit and Investigation. Independence in performing tasks is a key aspect of the work of OIG, including for evaluation. Evaluation/OIG is fully committed to contribute towards the enhancement of IOM capacity to fulfil its mandate as a lead International Organization on Migration.

The Evaluation function is considered as an essential management tool that is an integral part of IOM’s core functions and oversight mechanisms, and the mainstreaming of evaluation results in IOM’s work is of great importance. Evaluation/OIG has set for itself the following main objectives:

• To undertake and promote thematic and strategic evaluations of IOM policies, strategies and/or programmes;
• To evaluate the performance and success of selected programmes and projects;
• To promote the use of evaluation in policy and programme formulation inside the Organization and to oversee the evaluation function in IOM;
• To develop and/or adjust evaluation guidelines and methods applied for programme evaluation throughout the Organization;
• To reinforce partnership and participation in networks for evaluation with bilateral and multilateral Organizations.

The inclusion of Evaluation into IOM Programmes and Projects is mandatory and falls under the responsibility of IOM Offices; Evaluation/OIG can provide technical assistance on all matters related to Monitoring and Evaluation.

Context:

Under the functional and direct supervision of the Head of Evaluation and the overall supervision of the Inspector General, and the administrative responsibility of the Head of the Panama Administrative Centre (PAC), the Evaluation Officer will contribute to the promotion of the Evaluation function inside IOM and will conduct internal evaluations and rapid assessments of IOM programmes in line with OIG criteria for evaluation. When required, the Evaluation Officer will also conduct training sessions on evaluation for IOM project developers and project managers. The successful candidate will have to travel in different locations around the world.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Carry out programme and project evaluations and rapid assessments designated by OIG and the Organisation as priority and prepare all necessary reports.
2. Participate to the conduct of thematic, strategic and process evaluations of relevance to IOM policies, strategies and activities and contribute to the preparation of all necessary reports.
3. Provide overall guidance on evaluation matters to the Field Missions for discussions with donors, Governments and partners, as well as for the implementation of evaluations and of other performance measurement tools.
4. Provide and/or assist in the provision of guidance and technical support to Field Missions in carrying out evaluation activities according to established IOM guidelines and standards, including assistance for preparing Terms of Reference, for recruiting consultants and for commenting reports.
5. Develop training methodology and training material on evaluation and

conduct training activities on evaluation, performance measurement and rapid assessment.

1. Contribute to the work of OIG related to oversight and monitoring functions inside IOM.
2. Keep abreast of developments in monitoring, evaluation and result based management in the international development co-operation.
3. Actively participate in meetings, workshops and other discussion fora organised by UN Agencies, donor agencies and evaluation societies.
4. Review evaluation reports for quality control purposes and for publication on IOM Evaluation Webpage.
5. Assist in the preparation and updating of formal guidelines, technical tools and standards for evaluation activities and in promoting the use of Evaluation in line with UN Norms and Standards for Evaluation.
6. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Competencies

Behavioural

· Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism;

· Works effectively with all clients and stakeholders;

· Promotes continuous learning; communicates clearly;

· Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management;

· Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;

· Displays mastery of subject matter;

· Contributes to a collegial team environment;

· Promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA);

· Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation;

· Displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;

· Works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.

Technical

· Effectively applies knowledge of evaluation as well as migration issues within organizational context;

· Correctly frames migration issues within their regional, global, and political context;

· Effectively interfaces with government officials of appropriate level on matters related to substantive evaluation issues and the work of IOM;

· Effectively provides sound and clear evaluation advice using knowledge of IOM mandate, guidelines and other relevant internal and external practices, norms and standards.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

· Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Administration/Management or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or

· University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

· Experience in evaluation in the field of development, migration and humanitarian interventions, and in designing and implementing Result Based Management, Performance Measurement and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems;

· Experience in coordinating, implementing and performing evaluations;

· Experience and knowledge of migration projects/programme, project/programme development and management and technical cooperation activities, humanitarian work and other specialized activities in international development;

· Experience in delivering training activities an advantage;

· Knowledge in evaluation design - capacity to identify relevant issues and subjects of interest for potential work planning items, to contribute in the development of a well-focused Terms of Reference and to have a good understanding of various methodologies in evaluation and rapid assessment for the development of the most efficient and effective methodology;

· Knowledge in data collection and analysis - capacity to collect reliable, valid and accurate information in an objective way, to assist in the development of questionnaires and other review instruments, and to conduct interviews including basic understanding of various sampling techniques (such as random, stratified and purposive) and their applications;

· Experience in report writing and oral communication - capacity to write accurately in a clear and concise drafting style, to review documents for content and style, to assist with formal presentations and to articulate relevant subject matter in a clear and concise way. Capacity to independently manage simple evaluation projects and rapid assessments, and with supervision to assume responsibility for managing complex evaluations including strategic and thematic evaluations;

· Good computer skills and capacity to effectively use appropriate support items, including charts, graphs, audio-visual techniques, and hand-outs.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French is an advantage, with preference for Spanish, the candidate being based in Latin America.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment

system, by October 01, 2014 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

For further information, please refer to:

http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/about-iom-1/recruitment/how-to-...

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly filled in and submitted with a cover letter not more than one page specifying the motivation for applications.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your application in your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.