United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG)
Director, Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE)
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Director, Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE)
Apply ID: 37281
Location: ROME
Date of issue: 31/07/2026
Close Date (Midnight, Rome Time): 09/09/2026
Organizational Unit: Office of Evaluation
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Assignment Duration: 6 Years
Grade: D-2
Organizational Setting
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.
The Independent Office of Evaluation for IFAD (IOE) evaluates IFAD-funded projects and programmes to assess what works and what doesn¿t, and to determine how far IFAD's policies and strategies are successful in rural transformation. IOE's evaluation is based on a coherent set of evaluation methodologies. In identifying key insights and recommendations drawn from evaluation findings, IOE is also concerned, in keeping with IFAD's disclosure policy, with communicating and sharing IFAD's knowledge and experience of rural and agricultural development with a wider audience. Recipients of IOE's evaluation knowledge include IFAD Management and staff, the Evaluation Committee, the Executive Board, government officials and project staff in the field, as well as the public at large.
In line with the Revised IFAD Evaluation Policy (the ¿Evaluation Policy¿), the IOE multi-year strategy (2022-2027) and the Evaluation Manual (2022), the Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE) reports directly to the IFAD Executive Board (EB). Drawing from the international norms and standards as outlined by the Evaluation Cooperation Group, United Nations Evaluation Group and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development - Development Assistance Committee, the evaluation function at IFAD is driven by the following set of six key principles: usefulness, impartiality and credibility, transparency, partnership, consultation and collaboration, evaluability, and value for money/cost effectiveness. The IFAD Evaluation Policy also states that the IOE Director will ensure that IOE is staffed by independent-minded, experienced evaluators. The IOE regularly undergoes External Peer Reviews to inform and further guide the evaluation function. As such, the IOE Director would be responsible for the implementation of recommendations pertaining to the Office.
Job Role
Reporting directly to the Executive Board of IFAD and working in collaboration with IFAD Management, the Director, IOE is responsible for managing IOE as the independent evaluation function of the Fund in accordance with its rules and procedures.
The Director is responsible for managing the IOE. The Director provides strategic leadership, innovation and management. The Director is responsible for managing and supervising the delivery of the offices programme of work within the allocated budget.
The main purpose of the position is to ensure that independent evaluation contributes to IFAD's strategy by improving IFAD policies, strategies and operations throughout their life cycle, by providing necessary evidence-based analysis in a timely manner to decision makers. As such, a robust evaluation policy is key to enhancing the development and organizational effectiveness of the Fund.
Key Functions And Results
Strategic Leadership and Vision: The Director provides strategic direction and a clear vision for the role of evaluation within IFAD and translates that vision into medium and long-term strategies for IOE.
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Communication, Partnerships and Representation: The Director serves as designated representative of the independent evaluation function of the Fund. He/she catalyse effective partnerships, internally and externally, including with Member States and a broad range of institutions including borrowers, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, UN agencies, funds and programmes, international financial institutions (IFIs), non-governmental organizations and academic institutions for the purpose of programme co-operation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and/or resource mobilization. The IOE Director represents the independent evaluation function of the Fund as a trusted and credible partner in policy dialogue, negotiates on IOE's behalf and represents IOE in relevant official United Nations committees and networks, and in IFIs, multilateral and bilateral meetings, symposia, fora and global conferences, and build organizational networks with peers in major private, public and international institutions. The Director utilizes tailored communication adapted to diverse audiences to command attention, credibility and respect.
Management of Resources: The Director is responsible for ensuring the transparent, equitable, and efficient management of the Offices resources, including human, financial, and material resources. This includes managing staff through workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, and career development. The Director is also responsible for managing the division's budget, ensuring accountability and fiduciary integrity. Additionally, the Director is responsible for managing material resources and promoting knowledge and content management to achieve innovative outcomes and cost-effective processes. The Director also leverages information technology to improve business results, reporting processes, and client services.
Technical and Evaluation Specific Expertise: The Director has in-depth knowledge of the methodologies used across the international development agencies for programme and project evaluation analysis, and proven expertise managing an evaluation function or programme. The Director has experience applying advanced technologies, including AI and advanced analytics, to evaluation work, demonstrating innovation in evaluation practice.
The Director IOE's main responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lead and manage IOE as an effective, efficient and independent evaluation function of IFAD;
- Develop operational policies, strategies and related instruments to enhance the independence and effectiveness of the independent evaluation function;
- Ensure high-quality professional work by instituting the necessary enabling environment for and coaching of IOE staff, and setting quality standards for IOE outputs;
- Oversee the quality control of IOE evaluation deliverables;
- Formulate and implement the annual work programme and budget, reporting directly to the Executive Board on evaluation issues;
- Communicate evaluation results to partners and the general public;
- Ensure that evaluation knowledge and lessons are fed in a timely manner into key IFAD processes for the formulation of policies, strategies and operations;
- Promote dialogue and exchanges with Management, senior IFAD officials and Executive Board members on evaluation issues of critical importance to IFAD;
- Assist IFAD's operations and partner countries in their evaluation capacity development; and
- Represent IFAD in the United Nations Evaluation Group and the Evaluation Cooperation Group of the multilateral development banks.
Key Performance Indicators
The Director IOE's impact extends beyond the successful achievement of IOE goals and objectives to include broader corporate evaluation goals and objectives in strategic planning and collaboration. The expected results directly and/or indirectly benefit the ultimate stakeholders, the rural poor in developing countries.
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The key performance indicators for the Director include leadership in viable strategic planning, authoritative and relevant policy development and approval, sustainable programme decisions and integrity and accountability in the planning and management of IOE's human, financial and material resources assigned to the office.
Working Relationships
Externally, the Director develops strategic partnerships and collaborative relationships with IFAD and external counterparts spanning a broad range of institutions including borrowers, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, UN agencies, funds and programmes, IFIs, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions for the purpose of programme co-operation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and/or resource mobilization. The incumbent has the authority to communicate and interact directly with members of the Executive Board, with in-country partners, and with others outside the Fund, as appropriate for the undertaking of evaluations and is also accountable for the provision of authoritative advice during Executive Board sessions, Evaluation Committee meetings, the annual Governing Council and related subsidiary bodies including the audit and evaluation committees.
Internally, the Director IOE provides authoritative and independent advice to the EB and the President, on the office's vision, strategic planning, policy, and divisional programme and operational management. The incumbent is accountable for managing and coordinating the Office to ensure appropriate consultation, cross-functional synergy and coordination of programme planning and activities. The Director IOE is responsible for coordinating relations between OPV, IFAD's senior management and IOE in the implementation of the Fund's mandate and programme of work.
Job Profile Requirements
Organizational Competencies:
Competency Framework Level 2
- Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally
- Communicating and negotiating - Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills
- Demonstrating leadership - Leads by example; initiates and supports change
- Focusing on clients - Contributes to a client-focused culture
- Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture
- Managing performance and developing staff - Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization
- Managing time, resources and information - Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources
- Problem-solving and decision-making - Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact
- Strategic thinking and organizational development - Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles
- Team working - Fosters a cohesive team environment
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a field related to IFAD's work; a doctorate-level degree would be desirable.
- At least fifteen (15) years of which at least eight (8) years at a senior level of substantive experience in the formulation, analysis and evaluation of development programmes and policies, especially those supported by international financial institutions, the United Nations or other multilateral development agencies.
- Experience in leading the evaluation of programmes and policies supported by International Financial Institutions, the United Nations or other multilateral development agencies and/or experience working with these entities.
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