Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger and achieve food security for all. FAO works in more than 130 countries and supports its Members through normative work, policy advice, technical assistance, capacity development and emergency response.

FAO’s independent Office of Evaluation (OED) conducts evaluations of FAO strategies, programmes, projects and initiatives at global, regional and country levels. OED generates credible and useful evidence to support accountability, learning and informed decision-making.

OED is seeking expressions of interest from senior evaluators and subject-matter specialists to support forthcoming evaluations of FAO’s work at the intersection of humanitarian, development and normative action. The evaluations will focus particularly on integrated One Health approaches, pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, food security analysis, early warning and crisis contexts.

Selected candidates may be considered for one or more assignments, depending on their qualifications, availability and the requirements of each evaluation. Inclusion in the pool of suitable candidates does not guarantee immediate engagement.

Reporting Lines

Selected specialists will work under the supervision of the assigned OED Responsible Officer and under the overall responsibility of the Director, Office of Evaluation.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Depending on the assignment, selected candidates may:

•    Review relevant programme, project and technical documentation.
•    Contribute to evaluation design, inception reports and data-collection instruments.
•    Develop theories of change and support learning activities and the dissemination of evaluation results.
•    Conduct interviews, consultations, field visits and technical assessments.
•    Analyse qualitative and quantitative evidence.
•    Assess the relevance, effectiveness, sustainability and contribution of FAO-supported interventions.
•    Prepare country studies, technical notes and substantive inputs to evaluation reports.
•    Contribute to findings, conclusions, recommendations and stakeholder validation processes.
•    Address comments from stakeholders and quality-assurance reviewers.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in evaluation, economics, public policy, public health, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, food safety, food security, agriculture, international development, humanitarian studies, sociology, statistics or another discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•    For PSAs: University degree (or technical degree/certificate) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in evaluation, economics, public policy, public health, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, food safety, food security, agriculture, international development, humanitarian studies, sociology, statistics or another discipline relevant to the work of the Organization
•    Minimum one year of professional experience in evaluation, research, technical assessment or programme implementation commensurate with the profile and the corresponding consultant or PSA level.

• Working knowledge of an FAO official language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Demonstrated experience in conducting or contributing to complex thematic, programme, portfolio, country or project evaluations.
•    Relevant expertise in one or more of the following areas: One Health, pandemic preparedness, animal or public health, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, Codex standards, disease surveillance, laboratory systems, food security analysis, early warning, humanitarian response or crisis preparedness.
•    Experience working across humanitarian, development and normative contexts.
•    Strong analytical, stakeholder-engagement, facilitation and interviewing skills.
•    Ability to synthesize complex evidence and prepare clear, balanced and evidence-based evaluation products.
•    Familiarity with theory-based evaluation, contribution analysis, mixed methods or systems approaches.
•    Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected or food crisis contexts is desirable.
•    Experience with the United Nations, multilateral organizations, government institutions or international development partners is an asset.
•    Ability and willingness to undertake international field missions, as required.

Candidates must disclose any previous or current involvement in the design or implementation of the activities covered by the relevant evaluation. Actual or perceived conflicts of interest may preclude participation in a specific assignment.

All candidates must adhere to the FAO values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All, and Integrity and Transparency.

Information to Include in the Letter of Motivation

Applicants should indicate:

•    Whether they wish to be considered as an evaluation specialist, subject-matter specialist, or both;
•    Their principal areas of thematic and evaluation expertise;
•    Relevant regional and country experience;
•    Language skills;
•    Availability and willingness to undertake field missions;
•    Any previous involvement with FAO projects or programmes that may represent a potential conflict of interest.

Evaluation Specialists – One Health, Food Security and Crisis Contexts