Senior Evaluation Officer P5 Job at UNEP – UN Jobs

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• Job Opening ID: 286951
• Job Network : Management and Administration
• Job Family : Inspection and Evaluation
• Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-5
• Recruitment Type : Position Specific Job Openings
• Duty Station : NAIROBI
• Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme
• Date Posted : Nov 10, 2026
• Deadline : Dec 24, 2026

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Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

The Evaluation Office has a mandate to evaluate all UNEP projects and programmes to serve the organizational objectives of (i) informing evidence-based decision making to improve programmatic planning, implementation results, monitoring and reporting, (ii) providing substantive accountability to Member States, funding partners and the general public and (iii) promoting organisational learning. This position is based in UNEP’s Evaluation Office in Nairobi. Under the direct supervision of the UNEP’s Evaluation Office Director, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Responsibilities

• 1. Keep emerging issues in UNEP (both environmental, political and managerial / operational) under review and make substantive analytical contributions to evaluation planning based on the former and on organizational priorities, mandates and previous evaluation findings. Monitor the performance of the Evaluation Office against key performance indicators and report these to the Chief, Evaluation Office.
• 2. Develop evaluation methods, manage and provide substantive analytical contributions to higher level evaluations conducted by the Evaluation Office. Design methods for impact evaluation of specific UNEP interventions and build a portfolio of outcome and impact evaluations that capture the ‘value for money’ of UNEP interventions. Develop technical peer review processes (involving external expertise) for impact evaluation to ensure quality and rigour. Play a lead role in the Evaluation of the UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy, Formative Evaluations of the UNEP Programme of Work, Thematic Sub-Programme Evaluations. Ensure that the UNEP Evaluation Manual and the UNEP Programme Manual are regularly updated, reflect international good practice in evaluation and are consistent with UNEG Norms and Standards. Oversee the development and maintenance of the UNITE for Evaluations system, working in conjunction with the UNODC Evaluation Office. Work collaboratively with evaluation professionals from other UN agencies through UNEG and when joint evaluations are undertaken.
• 3. Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy and plan for outreach / uptake of evaluation findings, recommendations and lessons. Prepare high quality knowledge products and organise events to promote use of evaluation findings across the organisation and among evaluation stakeholders. Monitor implementation of the outreach plan and provide analytical feedback to enhance future work. Maintain an overview of patterns in lessons and recommendations issued across the evaluation portfolio. Conduct formal evaluation demand studies every biennium and collate evidence of use of evaluation among key stakeholders (UNEP, implementation/ execution partners, donors and country representatives). Ensure that the format and content of the Evaluation Office website meet user needs and ensure staff keep it up-to-date.
• 4. Identify internationally credible evaluation consultants, review credentials and make recommendations to the Evaluation Director for their selection. Prepare detailed impact evaluation budgets and timelines, inform consultant team members of required scope and quality of deliverables ensuring negotiated agreements on consultant remuneration comply with UN rules. Manage, oversee and provide quality assurance for work undertaken by highly qualified and experienced international consultant evaluators. Provide advice on evaluation methods approaches and processes; review and assess the quality of evaluation deliverables, capture stakeholder views on them and provide constructive feedback to facilitate finalisation of evaluation deliverables, ensuring all aspects of the evaluation TORs are fulfilled.
• 5. Prepare an annual evaluation schedule, assigning projects to centralized evaluation or decentralized review modalities. Review evaluation inception reports and draft evaluation reports being managed by other Evaluation Office staff, provide informal professional advice to, and formally supervise P4, P3, JPO and G staff. Review and sign off validations of Management Led Terminal Reviews.
• 6. Provide substantive analyses from impact evaluation, patterns in lessons and recommendations and outreach/uptake efforts for inclusion in the Biennial Evaluation Synthesis Report. Prepare periodic evaluation progress reports and take the lead on selected Evaluation Office Management / Special Studies for publication.
• 7. Provide advice and support to broader corporate planning and management processes with findings and recommendations from evaluation studies. 8. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of international standards and practices in evaluation and respective evaluation methodologies; Ability to propose and formulate a strategic approach to evaluations within the overall framework of the relevant international instruments; Knowledge of the United Nations system evaluation standards and practices; Ability to evaluate policies, programmes and projects; Ability to produce reports, review and edit work of others ensuring accuracy in interpreting evaluation studies; Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management; Demonstrated ability to implement assessment techniques; Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis; Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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. 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 or equivalent) in Natural Resources, Environmental Studies/Sciences, Development Planning or related technical field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in evaluation oversight management and project or programme management in complex socio-economic settings is required
• Experience in programme management, including at least five (5) years of leading diverse and multicultural teams of staff and consultants, is required.
• Experience in development, appraisal, and/or evaluation of projects designed for capacity development is required.
• Experience in UN Evaluation Group (UNEG) norms and standards for Evaluation in the UN or any other international or national evaluation or inspection standards is desirable
• Experience in the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence in evaluation is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics and using data to guide decisions, develop strategic direction and oversee execution is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable.
• The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III

Desirable Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
French	UN Level I	UN Level I	UN Level I	UN Level I

Assessment

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

The net remuneration for a Senior Evaluation Officer (P-5) at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi starts at approximately $145,359 USD per year (around $12,113 USD per month) at Step I. Depending on your step level, total annual pay including post adjustments typically ranges from $145,359 to $178,155 USD. [Source: International Civil Service Commission]

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