The Senior Evaluation Manager is an essential role that supports the evaluation workstream within the IAES. The incumbent will work collaboratively with the other functional areas within IAES, the two independent bodies it supports and CGIAR colleagues to ensure that information generated through independent evaluations is timely, of high quality, available and accessible, to support System-wide management, learning and decision-making processes. The position is based in Rome, Italy, and involves international travel (up 25%).
Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the IAES Evaluation Function Lead, specific responsibilities include:
Participate in the development and implementation of the evaluation multi-year work plan
Manage the design and implementation of thematic, corporate, and regional/country- based evaluative activities according to IAES quality standards and as assigned
Prepare reports and presentations conveying evaluation information to the CGIAR governing body
Manage and facilitate the planning and time-bound execution of deliverables by external independent experts
Manage the production of standards, guidelines and methodologies, aligned to the overarching CGIAR Evaluation Framework and Policy, developing and/or sourcing relevant research and technical inputs, including experts
Implement the procurement process to engage independent reviewers, in compliance with the host institute’s prevailing policies and IAES procedures
Facilitate the quality assurance and peer review process for evaluations
Maintain a CGIAR evaluation database, and other forms of related knowledge management and record-keeping
Prepare, contract and quality assure communication and knowledge management products that support the effective use of evaluation findings and recommendations in the CGIAR, as well as the translation of the Evaluation policy into action
Participate in IAES communications cross-functional workgroup to assure harmonized and consistent communications approaches across IAES
Lead logistical preparations for and technical inputs to evaluation-related meetings, events and workshops
Foster and contribute to highly collaborative teamwork and communication within the IAES and with other system entities
Represent the evaluation function at meetings as required
Contribute to the application of the evaluation-related normative frameworks, quality support, assessment mechanisms and reporting for decentralized (management-commissioned) evaluation
Promote CGIAR’s evaluation culture of accountability and learning through analysis of trends in evaluative evidence and lessons, review of evaluation-related content in pooled funding proposals, and similar sensitization and capacity strengthening tasks
Deliver and represent evaluations to stakeholder groups, including internal and external parties
Participation in relevant internal and external professional communities
Other duties as required according to the IAES mandate
Requirements:
Essential requirements:
Relevant Master’s degree in fields related directly to the position requirements, including program evaluation and measurement, social sciences, business or public administration, international development, or other fields pertinent to CGIAR portfolio evaluation
Typically, 8 years or more (of which five in international context) of relevant progressively responsible professional experience in planning, leading and/or implementing evaluations
Evidence of substantive experience in project management aspects, such as activity planning, budget oversight, consultant recruitment, procurement, performance management
Evidence of a proficient level of evaluation technical skill and expertise, including relevant quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and synthesis skillsets
Conversance in techniques and methods appropriate to the evaluation of CGIAR’s research for development (R4D) activities
Excellent written and spoken English, including for report preparation for executive and multicultural audiences
Proven experience and understanding of evaluation processes for development organizations, including country and thematic evaluations, and those related to SDGs
Understanding of and/or experience with implementation of Evaluability Assessments
Demonstrated understanding of the branches of science pursued within CGIAR, and work experience in agriculture research for development
High level of proficiency in the use of standard office software (Microsoft 365 suite), meeting softwares and social media (LinkedIn, Tweeter)
Proven experience with evaluation-related knowledge management and communications
Experience with evaluation-related capacity-building to support the enhancement of skills and knowledge of the CGIAR MEL professionals
Proven experience with stakeholder management, i.e. evaluation reference groups, governance bodies.
