Deadline for Applications
August 4, 2026
H (no hardship)
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
PR5
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
- S taff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
2026-09-01
Head of Evaluation Office
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Head of Evaluation Office provides senior-level leadership, coordination, and quality oversight of the evaluation function in UNHCR. The incumbent leads in the development of the evaluation policy and supports its implementation, contributing to the continued development of the evaluation function in close collaboration with regional bureaux, divisions, and country offices.
For reasons of independence, the incumbent reports to the High Commissioner. S/he supervises staff within the Evaluation Office and engages regularly with the SET and senior management across headquarters and field operations. The role includes active participation in inter-agency evaluation fora and networks, such as the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) and UNHCRs strategic engagement with the UN System-Wide Evaluation Office. S/he represents the Evaluation Office externally, presenting both formally and formally to the Executive Committee on evaluation matters.
The Head of Evaluation Office provides authoritative guidance on evaluation approaches and methods, ensures quality assurance and capacity building, and oversees both centralized and decentralized evaluation activities. The position requires advanced competency in evaluation design, commissioning and management, promoting the use and uptake of evaluation findings, and maintaining oversight of evaluation quality standards.
The Evaluation Office also represents UNHCR in external evaluation and research platforms, including the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation Management and Steering Groups, ensuring UNHCR’s operational perspectives are reflected in broader evaluation discourse.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
Oversee the implementation of the UNHCR Evaluation Policy and Evaluation Strategy across the Organization ensuring the continued development of the evaluation function in close collaboration with regional bureaux, divisions, and country offices..
Lead any necessary evaluation policy or strategy revisions/updates
Coordinate the annual evaluation planning and budgeting, consulting with senior management on the selection of topics for centralized evaluations, and issue/publish bi-annual workplans.
Ensure that technical guidance, advice and support is available to regional bureaux and divisions, as well as country and multi-country offices, towards the general development and strengthening of the decentralized evaluation function. Promote the effective use of evaluation resources and ensure timely implementation and reporting.
Establish and maintain processes that ensure evaluations are contextually relevant and reflect the operational and protection dimensions of UNHCR’s work.
Lead the development and adaptation of evaluation methodologies suitable for diverse operational environments.
Ensure quality assurance for centralized and decentralized evaluations, including technical support, capacity development, and final review of evaluation reports prior to publication.
Oversee the development of a communications and external engagement strategy for the Office, ensure its implementation and facilitate regular engagement with internal stakeholders, including senior management.
Promote the dissemination and use of evaluation findings and lessons learned across the organization.
Represent UNHCR in external meetings and inter-agency fora on evaluation. Maintain and strengthen cooperation and partnerships with other evaluations services and professional networks to contribute to inter-agency evaluation, learning and evaluation guidance and normative development initiatives. Contribute to UN System wide and joint efforts on evaluation and professionalization.
Coordinate the Annual Programme Review ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and effective use of evaluation resources.
Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Social Sciences; Economics; International Development; Public Policy
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
*Research and Evaluation Methods;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience leading and managing evaluation/research functions in complex international organizations of which at least five have been in managing and conducting independent evaluations, preferably in the humanitarian sector. Proven track record as an evaluator/social science researcher of humanitarian or development operations, programmes and projects with an international organisation, NGO or consulting company. Demonstrated expertise of evaluation standards, norms and good practices as practised by professional groups such as the United Nations Evaluation Group, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development/Development Assistance Committee (OECD/DAC), Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) and other professional networks. Experience with a range of evaluation purposes, objectives and methodologies. Good knowledge of qualitative and quantitative data collection, monitoring and reporting systems and tools, and results based management in the UN System. Field experience, preferably in a UN humanitarian or development organization in monitoring and evaluation leadership role. Demonstrable experience and knowledge of humanitarian response and coordination, ideally specifically related to refugee response. Solid understanding of developments within the inter-agency humanitarian and development world, and how they may impact UNHCR and its evaluation function. Experience of working with and influencing senior decision makers, including in delivering challenging, or potentially contested, key messages. Advanced diplomatic, representational and communication skills. Proven ability to write for publications with minimal editorial supervision.
Desirable
Not specified.
Functional Skills
*MG-UN/UNHCR Management Practices/Standards and Processes
*SO-Research
*DM-Data Collection and Analysis
*IM-Statistics Analysis
*EL-Development of evaluation strategies
*EL-Evaluation of humanitarian operations
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English .
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language .
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English .
Competency Requirements
All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Empowering and Building Trust
Judgement and Decision Making
Leadership
Managing Performance
Managing Resources
Strategic Planning and Vision
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Policy Development and Research
Stakeholder Management
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
Desired Candidate Profile
Essential Attribute:
- Demonstrate expertise in the application of evaluation standards, norms and good practices as practised by professional groups such as the United Nations Evaluation Group, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development/Development Assistance Committee (OECD/DAC), Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) and other professional networks.
- Experience leading and managing evaluation/research functions in complex international organizations of which at least five have been in managing and conducting independent evaluations, preferably in the humanitarian sector.
- Demonstrate critical editorial skills given that most products produced by the Evaluation Office are in the public domain.
- Certification in research and evaluation methods is essential.
- Excellent team management and leadership skills, strong presentation skills, and a consistent commitment to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. .
Desirable Attributes:
- Solid understanding of developments within the inter-agency humanitarian and development sphere, and how they may impact UNHCR and its evaluation function.
- Strong strategic orientation, with the ability to contribute to and influence the development and strengthening of evaluation functions, in alignment with organizational priorities and evolving operational needs.
- Adaptability, sound political judgement, and diplomatic acumen, with the ability to anticipate, navigate, and manage a wide range of stakeholders and sensitive situations.
- In addition to English, language skills in one or more official UN language are highly desirable.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and can accommodate the specific needs for qualified candidates.
Nature of Position:
The position is part of the Evaluation Office and reports to the High Commissioner.
The incumbent will be heading the Evaluation Office.
This position is part of the Evaluation Office. The incumbent leads a team of seven staff with two positions outposted to Panama and Kenya, and a position of Resource Management Officer shared with the Inspector General’s Office.
Evaluation is a growing function in UNHCR, as reflected in the increased engagement with operations, professional staffing, budget and outputs. UNHCR conducts evaluations that are strategic, operation-specific or thematic. The position requires active engagement with the Senior Executive Team, Divisions and Bureaux as per its strategy to increase utility and coverage, improve capacity and awareness and finally strengthen linkages with change efforts to improve use of accountability, programme design and learning. It regularly inquires and finds new solutions to make Evaluations useful for the Organization. Furthermore, the position entails active participation in inter-agency evaluation fora and networks, such as the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) and UNHCRs strategic engagement with the UN System-Wide Evaluation Office.
UNHCR 's Evaluation Office is active in international inter-agency and UN evaluation communities of practice and networks. The Evaluation Office works with UN stakeholders to undertake joint evaluations that add value to the work of UNHCR and the people it serves. It keeps a close affiliation with external stakeholders, and other Evaluation Associations to model on new developments in the field of evaluation. The Head of Evaluation at UNHCR plays a proactive strategic role within the UN evaluation community and has, in the past, assumed a leadership role in the UN Evaluation Group executive steering committee and chaired Peer Review panels. The Head of Evaluation Office is frequently called upon to engage with the donor evaluation community (EvalNet) and to member states more broadly (Executive Committee but also informal groupings such as the Geneva Group and G12).
The initial appointment is for a period of five years, renewable for a further five years, subject to satisfactory performance and organizational needs.
Living and Working Conditions:
The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will be required to travel, sometimes on short notice. Living and working conditions in Switzerland are up to the level of a highly developed country, where easy access to quality schooling, services, medical support, and higher education is available. The position requires residence in Geneva and cannot be undertaken remotely, although some teleworking is possible, after discussions with the manager.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
DM-Data Collection and Analysis, EL-Development of evaluation strategies, EL-Evaluation of humanitarian operations, IM-Statistics Analysis, MG-UN/UNHCR Management Practices/Standards and Processes, SO-Research
Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: International Development, Bachelor of Arts: Public Policy, Bachelor of Arts: Social and behavioural sciences
Certifications
Research and Evaluation Methods - Other
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Policy research & development, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
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Flash Vacancy Notice
Additional Information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
