Director, Inspection and Evaluation Division, OIOS

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Office of Internal Oversight Services is the internal oversight body of the United Nations and assists the Secretary-General in fulfilling his oversight responsibilities in respect of the resources and staff of the Organization through the provision of audit, investigation, and inspection and evaluation services. IED performs independent inspections and evaluations on behalf of the Secretary-General and Member States. The purpose of these activities is to assist intergovernmental bodies and programme managers to determine the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of the Secretariat’s programmes, as well as to enhance the Secretariat’s evaluation capacity. IED conducts its inspections and evaluations in accordance with the regulatory framework of the United Nations and international best practices”. IED comprises 38 staff operating across two locations in New York and Entebbe. The Director reports directly to the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services (USG/OIOS).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for planning, directing, and managing the activities undertaken by the Inspection and Evaluation Division. These responsibilities include: • Formulating and implementing the Division’s substantive programme of work, including managing the activities, staff, and financial resources of the Division to ensure its timely implementation, the achievement of performance goals, and the optimal use of resources; • Establishing and maintaining the operating guidelines, lines of authority and communication, work objectives, and priorities of reporting that guide the Division’s activities; • Providing leadership oversight and supervision of the Division’s inspection and evaluation assignments, including through input into and substantive review of assignment plans, risk assessments, evaluation designs, and draft and final reports, with a view to ensuring that the Division’s outputs are of a high quality, meet required standards, and achieve the desired impact; • Coordinating the work of the Division with other Divisions and units within OIOS, as well as outside OIOS with internal and external oversight bodies such as the System-Wide Evaluation Office, the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and Board of Auditors (BOA); • Undertaking or overseeing administrative matters necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparing budgets, reporting on programme performance in the context of results-based management, evaluating staff performance, and candidates for recruitment; • Managing, guiding, developing, and training staff under his/her supervision; fostering teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries; • Providing programmatic and substantive expertise on issues relating to inspection and evaluation; • Representing OIOS in meetings with intergovernmental bodies on budget or programme performance or on substantive issues pertaining to inspection and evaluation activities and resources; • Performing other related duties as requested by the USG/OIOS, including, but not limited to, liaising with inter-governmental bodies and counterparts in other international organizations on matters relating to the inspection and evaluation function in the United Nations, participating in meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive related issues and representing the Division at inter-divisional meetings of OIOS and international, regional, and inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Expert knowledge in the field of inspection and evaluation; Proven ability to conduct and supervise complex inspection and evaluation assignments, produce reports and papers on technical issues and review and edit the work of others; Knowledge of the programme planning, budgeting and implementation process of the United Nations or other international organizations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter including both quantitative methods (collection and statistical analysis of data, from descriptive statistics to complex analysis and synthesis, including use of artificial intelligence) and qualitative methods (collection and analysis of qualitative data, from interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research, observations and qualitative survey instruments); is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, public administration, programme evaluation or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in programme planning and evaluation is required. At least 5 years of experience managing a large international programme evaluation function is required. Experience with quantitative methods (collection and statistical analysis of data, from descriptive statistics to complex analysis and synthesis, including use of artificial intelligence) and qualitative methods (collection and analysis of qualitative data, from interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research, observations and qualitative survey instruments) of evaluation is required. Experience in leading and managing a large diverse group of professionals is required. Experience with an international or multilateral organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 Nov 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.