Evaluation Officer (Impact Evaluations)

The Evaluation Officer (Impact Evaluations) leads the design and conduct of impact evaluations of complex projects and programmes using rigorous experimental and quasi-experimental methods. The role contributes to enhanced results-accountability, organizational learning, and mentoring of junior staff within FAO's Office of Evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Participates actively and productively in multidisciplinary evaluation teams with internal and external partners.
• Designs and leads impact evaluations of complex projects, programmes, operations, and themes using experimental and quasi-experimental designs including randomized control trials, regression discontinuity, and propensity score matching.
• Applies rigorous analytic thinking in leading the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and preparing evaluation reports and dissemination materials.
• Presents findings, conclusions and recommendations of evaluations to relevant audiences.
• Promotes the use of evaluation findings in the design and implementation of strategies, programmes and projects.
• Liaises and collaborates with other units to promote results-based and evaluation culture and enhanced learning from evaluations.
• Keeps abreast of methodological developments in evaluation.
• Guides junior evaluation officers and consultants in conducting evaluations.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a social science field such as economics, sociology, or psychology, or evaluation, with a focus on research and evaluation methods.
• Seven years of demonstrated work experience conducting impact evaluations.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Ph.D. is highly desirable.
• Extent and relevance of technical expertise in leading and conducting impact evaluations using designs that establish cause and effect relationships rigorously as demonstrated by at least 3 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven ability to deliver clear and concise reports and presentations demonstrated through a writing sample of an impact evaluation and a presentation based on that sample, and a presentation to a panel during interviews.
• Work experience in fields related to FAO's mission such as agriculture, nutrition, emergency and resilience is highly desirable.
• Three publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

• Impact Evaluation
• Experimental Design
• Quasi-Experimental Methods
• Research Methods
• Evaluation Methodologies
• Report Writing
• Presentation Skills
• Technical Expertise in Impact Evaluation
• Social Science Research
• Agriculture Knowledge
• Health and Nutrition Sector Knowledge
• Emergency and Resilience Knowledge
• Mentorship
• Peer-reviewed Publications
• English Language Proficiency
• FAO Language Proficiency

Languages

English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish