Evaluation Specialist

Job Description - Evaluation Specialist (2600197)

Job Description
Call for Expressions of Interest - Vacancy Announcement
Job Posting Number: 2600197
Posting Date: 29 Jan 2026
Closure Date: 29 Apr 2026, 9:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: OED - Office of Evaluation
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of

Requisition :
Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Primary

Location:

Home-Based
Duration:
Up to 11 months
Post Number: N/A
Diversity and Confidentiality

FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values.
FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero‑tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Environmental Sustainability
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all by ensuring that people have regular access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO assesses the strategic alignment, implementation, effectiveness, and efficiency of its work through its independent Office of Evaluation (OED). OED is led by a Director who reports directly to the Director‑General and the FAO Programme Committee. The Office conducts evaluations of FAO strategies, initiatives, programmes, and projects at global, regional, and country levels.
OED seeks to generate credible, timely, and useful evidence and insights to inform decision‑making, support accountability and oversight, and contribute to FAO’s effectiveness in achieving its mandate. In addition, OED participates in system‑wide evaluation initiatives, contributing to assessments of development and humanitarian effectiveness across the United Nations system.
Office of Evaluation Roster
OED is establishing a roster of evaluation specialists to support the implementation of FAO’s Rolling Evaluation Workplan 2026–2029, which includes over 200 potential thematic, country, and project evaluations. Specialists on the roster may be engaged on a short‑term basis, as required, to contribute technical expertise across a range of assignments, ranging from leading, managing to supporting evaluations.
Please note that inclusion in the roster does not guarantee immediate engagement, and that assignments may vary in duration, scope, and location, including remote and field‑based work.
Reporting Lines
Evaluation specialists will work under the technical supervision of the assigned Evaluation Officer and under the overall responsibility of the Director, Office of Evaluation (OED).
Technical Focus
The evaluation specialist will contribute technical expertise across a range of assignments, ranging from leading, managing to supporting evaluations.
Tasks and Responsibilities
When leading evaluations

Develop an evaluation design to guide the work of the team, leveraging the programme/project M&E plan and data (when available), complemented with primary quantitative and/or qualitative data when appropriate and feasible within the budget and timeline for the evaluation.
Foster a productive working relationship with the evaluand and other FAO stakeholders, by engaging them during the design process.
Implement the evaluation design, that is, carry out / oversee all evaluation activities, including leading the analysis and writing of all deliverables.
Lead…