ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The post of Evaluation Specialist reports to the Chief of Oversight and is responsible for establishing and managing the evaluation function within ITU. This role involves drawing on best practices, including alignment with international evaluation norms such as those of the UN Evaluation Group (UNEG). Key responsibilities include developing and implementing evaluation frameworks, methodologies, and processes from the ground up. The Evaluation Specialist ensures that evaluations are conducted effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with ITU's strategic objectives, thus contributing to organizational learning, accountability and decision-making. 
The role also includes managing outsourced evaluations, ensuring that external consultants deliver high-quality and timely evaluation reports. The Evaluation Specialist will promote collaboration, guidance and support to encourage a standardized approach to evaluations across ITU programmes, projects, events and other activities that incorporate an evaluation component. The Oversight Unit (OU) performs the evaluation function in a cooperative manner with ITU’s three Bureaux. Evaluations within ITU shall be carried out in accordance with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) norms and standards, as well as with the ITU’s internal evaluation policy, guidelines and related rules and procedures.
 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will:

• Establish Evaluation Function:
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive evaluation framework, policy and strategy for ITU, considering UNEG norms and international best practices. 
  • Design and establish evaluation methodologies, processes, tools and quality assurance systems to ensure robust evaluation practices and high-quality evaluations.
  • Set up systems and procedures for data collection, analysis, and reporting. 
  • Manage the integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender, diversity, environment and sustainability into the evaluation processes.
• Conduct and Manage Evaluations:
  • Manage complex thematic, strategic and programmatic evaluations in alignment with ITU’s strategic objectives and UNEG norms and standards.
  • Ensure evaluations are aligned with ITU's strategic objectives and provide actionable insights.
  • Manage the development of evaluation reports, including findings, conclusions, recommendations and management responses.
  • Develop and maintain a repository of evaluation reports, management responses, lessons learned and best practices to inform future initiatives.
• Manage Outsourced Evaluations:
  • Identify and select external consultants for outsourced evaluations.
  • Develop terms of reference and manage contracts for outsourced evaluations.
  • Ensure that external consultants deliver high-quality and timely outsourced evaluations.
  • Review and provide feedback on evaluation reports submitted by external consultants.
  • Publish evaluation reports and management responses for both external and internal use.
• Capacity Building and Culture Promotion:
  • Design and deliver training and capacity-building support to ITU staff and stakeholders on evaluation standards, methodologies, tools and best practices.
  • Foster a culture of evaluation and learning within the organization by promoting the value and importance of evaluation.
• Quality Assurance:
  • Ensure the technical quality and rigor of all evaluations conducted.
  • Develop and implement quality assurance mechanisms to maintain high standards in evaluation processes and outputs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (continuation)

• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including UNEG agencies and NGOs, to ensure relevance and impact of evaluations.
  • Engage with UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners to share best practices and lessons learned.
  • Represent ITU in external forums, contributing to the broader evaluation discourse.
• Resource Management:
  • Lead and participate in the selection and procurement of quality evaluation services (evaluation firms and individual consultants).
  • Manage resources allocated for evaluation activities, including budget and external consultants.
  • Ensure efficient and effective use of resources to achieve evaluation objectives.
  • Manage the development of evaluation reports, ensuring findings and recommendations are actionable and alight with ITU’s goals.
• Policy and Framework Development:
  • Ensure evaluations adhere to UNEG norms, standards and ethics.
  • Develop policies and guidelines for decentralized evaluations and quality reviews.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• High level expertise in evaluation.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and influencing senior decision-makers, including delivering challenging, or potentially contested, key messages.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and enhance the technical quality of ITU’s evaluation approaches, methodologies and tools.
• Strong knowledge of evaluation methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, communication, negotiation and report-writing skills.
• Proven ability to manage resources and external consultancy contracts effectively.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in evaluation, economics, social sciences, public administration, or a related field OR education from a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of the fields above.
For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above in combination with ten years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes. Certification such as the UNEG Evaluation Certificate Course is desirable.

Experience:

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in evaluation including at least three at the international level.
A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for three years of working experience.
Experience in setting up and managing evaluation functions,
Experience of leading and managing evaluation processes, including ideally managing multi-disciplinary teams with variable evaluation experience.
Experience in capacity building and training in evaluation.
Previous experience in the UN system is desirable.

Languages:

Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration.)

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Salary:
Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment (PA) (cost of living allowance). The PA is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.

Annual salary from $ 84,672 + post adjustment $ 57,238

Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment, please refer to: https: //jobs.itu.int/content/What-we-offer/?locale=en_U