Grade: P4

Vacancy no.: RAPS/2/2023/AF/05 Publication date: 22 May 2023 Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 22 June 2023

Job ID: 10867 Department: RO-Africa Organization Unit: RO-Africa Location: Abidjan Contract type: Fixed Term

The following are eligible to apply:

•  ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.
•  External candidates.

Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply.

Applications from candidates who have already separated from ILO service upon retirement or early retirement, will not be considered.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

The ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employers’ and business membership organizations, and workers’ organizations).

Applicants from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States

In addition to the interviews and tests that any candidate may be required to take, successful completion of the ILO Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates and any internal candidate applying to a higher category.

Notwithstanding the general considerations set out in the ILO Staff Regulations, this vacancy announcement is the only authoritative document pertaining to the qualifications required for this position. The minimum required qualifications were determined in view of the specific duties and responsibilities of this position.

The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. However, candidates applying for the professional category vacancies who have not already successfully completed their probationary period within the ILO and whose mother tongue is not one of the working languages of the Office (English, French and Spanish), shall be required to possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the ILO working languages. If appointed they may be required to acquire a knowledge of a second working language of the Office during their initial years of service.

Please note that in the context of the new ILO organigram, the naming of the departments may be subject to change.

Introduction

The position is located in the Regional Programming Unit (RPU), within the ILO Regional Office for Africa (ROAF) in Abidjan. The Regional Office plays an important role in the effective implementation of the ILO evaluation policy . ILO’s Evaluation Office (EVAL) has direct responsibility for conducting independent evaluations and overseeing and approving independent decentralized evaluations called for by the ILO Evaluation Policy. It reports annually to the Governing Body who endorses its reports and recommendations. The evaluation policy is complemented by an evaluation strategy and evaluation policy guidelines (4th edition) to facilitate its implementation. ROAF is working closely with EVAL as well as the Strategic Programming and Management Department (PROGRAM) to support the development, implementation and evaluation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs), and with the Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department to support the development, implementation and monitoring of development cooperation projects, all in an integrated manner. In this context, the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist will provide technical support for the monitoring and particularly evaluation work of development cooperation projects and decent work programmes at regional, sub-regional and national levels. The incumbent will be responsible for the planning and implementation of all independent evaluations in the region in coordination with EVAL in line with the ILO’s evaluation policy and results-based management strategy. In addition, the Specialist will coordinate and implement capacity-building activities for staff on the monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects and will coordinate the management of evaluations of decent work programmes at all levels, as well as organizational reviews. The incumbent is also required to promote an evaluation culture in the Organization and advocate the utilization of evaluation results and principles as well as provide ideas to identify innovations, recommendations and lessons learned for the improvement of the evaluation function. Evaluations are guided by the ILO’s evaluation policy and results-based management strategy, which adhere to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/Development Assistance Committee (OECD/DAC) principles and United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) norms and standards. The position will report to the Chief of the RPU and receive technical guidance and support from the Director of EVAL at headquarters.

Specific Duties

1.Ensure timely completion of evaluations of ILO programmes/projects/activities agreed upon in the evaluation plan in a manner that meets professional standards in line with the ILO’s evaluation policy and the UN evaluation norms, ethics, and standards. Participate as a team member in high-profile or highly complex evaluations as required. 2.Ensure regional level quality assurance of independent evaluations in Africa region before submission to EVAL for final approval. 3.Coordinate activities related to the planning and preparation of evaluation budgets as well as efficiently manage the use of resources for evaluations (Regular Budget Supplementary Account and extra-budgetary development cooperation) at all levels within the region. 4.Provide inputs to continuous methodological improvement of and support to evaluation, monitoring, and the results-based management (RBM) framework. 5.Ensure that evaluations are useful, and that evaluation findings and recommendations are followed up. Ensure that evaluation results are considered for the design and appraisal of strategies, policies, and new projects/programmes. 6.Provide support and advice to colleagues assigned to design and implement evaluation capacity development or alternatively take the lead in conducting related training. Advance efforts and ensure a coordinated approach within the Organization that supports constituents with evaluation and related activities. 7.Establish relations, ensure effective collaboration, and provide technical expertise and advice to ILO officials and partners on appropriate data collection methodologies, coherent evaluation design, analysis and interpretation of data, quality control, evaluation standards and other key evaluation issues. 8.Coordinate the review and evaluation activities of ILO projects and programmes including DWCPs. Facilitate the periodic preparation and review of monitoring and evaluation plans for DWCPs, programmes and projects. 9.Negotiate with other UN partners on M&E provisions of joint projects and provide technical advice on lessons learned from evaluations into the design of new projects. Provide technical advice on monitoring provisions or plans for development cooperation projects in the region. 10.Disseminate findings, recommendations and lessons learned from evaluation activities. In this regard, use the EVAL “good practices” and “lessons learned” templates for replication and/or for upscaling. 11.Coordinate and strengthen the Regional Evaluation Network. This also entails working with EVAL in building the capacities of the Evaluation Managers and other relevant officials in the various Country Offices in the region. Participate in UN regional evaluation meetings and activities as needed, and coordinate with networks of evaluation professionals in Africa. Take a lead technical role and represent the Organization in internal and external meetings, working groups, knowledge sharing events and discussion fora to establish and encourage continuing dialogue on evaluation results, recommendations and lessons learned. Give presentations on key evaluation issues and developments. 12.Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

optional section (only if needed)

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social sciences or related field such as economics, law, international relations, international development, or other relevant field. Training in evaluation or related disciplines and areas such as quantitative and quality data collection and analysis.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of experience, including at the international level in the monitoring and evaluation of development projects and programmes . Experience related to the mandate and activities of the ILO or of another UN agency. Experience in the field of international development programmes and issues e.g. project design and management would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English and French.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires: Knowledge and competencies (technical and behavioural) Ability to interpret and work within applicable policies, rules, regulations, and procedures. Extensive knowledge of evaluations. and ability to consistently apply this knowledge in all evaluations. Good knowledge of UN system evaluation methods, techniques, RBM principles, and concepts. Excellent knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation) and the substantive nature of Organization’s work programmes and activities. Good knowledge of international development programmes and issues, including humanitarian and global geopolitical issues, human rights and gender equality and ability to ensure that evaluation design, questions and analysis incorporate this knowledge into all settings Understanding and application of the parameters of social science research in complex evaluations. Ability to contribute to global evaluation practices, including through generation of knowledge and guidance for UNEG. Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems. Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and preferable qualitative and quantitative data analysis software such as Nvivo, SPSS or similar. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes. Ethics: Acts according to the standards of ethical conduct for evaluators. Acts with integrity and honesty in relationships with all stakeholders. Provides role modelling and advice to evaluation staff. Ability to ensure that ethics are incorporated into evaluation processes and is able to uphold ethics under pressure. Ability to maintain independence and impartiality under pressure.

Conditions of employment

•  Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
•  The first contract will be issued for a twenty-four month period.
•  A successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years of assignment.
•  Any extension of contract beyond the probation period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Important Information

Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at hrpartner@ilo.org

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account – @ilo.org – should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.