Principal Evaluation Specialist

Reference #: ADB-HR-13-0282

Position Title: Principal Evaluation Specialist

Department: Independent Evaluation Department

Division: Office of the Director General, IED

Location: Manila, Philippines

Recruitment Type: International

Closing Date: 24 May 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

Job Purpose:

Lead and oversee promotion of principles of independent evaluation as mandated by the Evaluation Policy, promote efforts to enhance learning from evaluations, and strengthen the application of these principles. Promote learning lessons from independent evaluation for greater development effectiveness, and provide intellectual leadership in the development and management of strategic initiatives on learning and communication for greater impact. Contribute to the Department’s work programs and operations, and promote the use of evaluation knowledge in the Asian Development Bank (ADB), developing member countries and other stakeholders. Lead and oversee conduct of selected evaluation studies, particularly more complex crosscutting evaluations at corporate and thematic levels. Provide real-time feedback to ongoing independent evaluations as part of quality assurance functions, and on proposed operational policies, strategies, procedures, and programs of ADB in light of evaluation findings and development context. Work within a framework of broad policies, principles and goals, applying a high degree of autonomy in selection of work methods.

Expected Outcomes

Independent Evaluation Functions
- Lead efforts to enhance learning from evaluations, and strengthen the application of evaluation principles as mandated by the Evaluation Policy
- Ensure developments and global trends on accountability are factored in independent evaluation
- Oversee and ensure relevance, responsiveness and effectiveness of independent evaluation are in accordance with the Evaluation Policy

Learning, Communication and Outreach 
- Lead in developing approaches to enhance learning from evaluation, and lead the development of initiatives to promote learning from evaluation
- Oversee and provide advice on the development of evaluation products to enhance learning, including evaluation syntheses, learning series, and publications
- Promote outreach initiatives with effective internal and external communication
- Lead and provide operational support in designing, preparing and executing knowledge sharing events for effective learning from evaluation
- Foster collaboration, partnership and networks, within ADB and with other agencies, institutions, to enhance evaluation knowledge sharing

• Lead development of strategies and programs to strengthen self evaluation capacity in ADB Headquarters, Resident Missions, and developing member countries

- Lead special assignments as designated by the Director General

Independent Evaluation

• Oversee and support the conduct of complex evaluation studies on selected themes, policies and strategies

- Lead evaluation research on selected topics

• Contribute to the development of evaluation approaches and methods for evaluating the impact and effectiveness of ADB’s policies and strategies, lending and non-lending operations

- Oversee and/or undertake the preparation of syntheses of evaluation findings that are judged to be useful for ADB operations so that ADB becomes more of a learning organization, and also useful for other audiences

Quality Assurance and Real-time Feedback

• Contribute to peer reviews of ongoing independent evaluations and provide timely feedback to evaluation approaches and various draft evaluation reports, as part of internal quality assurance
• Review and provide feedback on proposed operational policies, strategies, procedures, and programs of ADB in light of evaluation findings and development context
• Review proposed projects and programs and provide feedback to ensure that lessons from evaluations are taken into account to improve the quality of new projects, design and monitoring framework follows established guidelines, proposed monitoring and evaluation systems are robust, project economics is sound, and the likelihood of project sustainability is strong

Knowledge Management
- Foster knowledge sharing and disseminate evaluation findings and lessons to increase awareness and use of evaluation knowledge in ADB
- Lead in internal peer review process and demonstrate intellectual leadership in quality assurance initiatives.
- Contribute substantially from an evaluation perspective in the review of ADB wide initiatives, such as Managing for Development Results (MfDR), Reform Agenda, Results Framework, and the Development Effectiveness Report
- Widely recognized as a highly credible source of expertise across a range of development topics.

Staff Supervision

• Create and lead multi-disciplinary teams and ensure overall quality of its work.
• Provide clear direction, regular monitoring and feedback on performance of teams and individuals being supervised.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensure their ongoing learning and development.

Educational Requirements:

Minimum of Master’s Degree or equivalent, in Development Economics, Business, Engineering, or related fields.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level.
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience covering areas in (i) development evaluation, development operations, communication and outreach in developing countries (including related policy dialogue); (ii) development studies, research, or evaluation; (iii) operational, economic, social and technical aspects of developing economies; and/or (iv) country/sector analysis, institutional and policy analysis and reforms, macroeconomics, economic and financial analyses

• Strong analytical skills to conceptualize and evaluate complex development issues and problems, and to carry out effective communication and dialogue on these topics
• Proven operational experience in multilateral development and financing agencies or similar institutions, and aptitude toward applied research
• Proven ability to organize and lead simultaneously several multimember study teams.
• Good interpersonal; and diplomatic skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (e.g., with experience in representing ADB in international forums);
• International experience working in several developing countries and international development institutions.
• Proven ability to lead multi-agency/multi-donor study team to develop good practice standards either for country-level or project-level evaluations.

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Develops and shares new theories and applications
• Develops other specialists in ADB and client organizations as a subject matter expert
• Convinces sophisticated clients to follow ADB's technical advice
• Focuses on creating depth in area of technical expertise within ADB

Client Orientation

• Leads complex client negotiations to achieve mutually agreeable outcomes
• Guides others on how to effectively involve diverse groups of stakeholders and clients in strategic planning
• Ensures consistent client satisfaction, particularly in highly sensitive and complex situations
• Proactively manages relationships with decision makers and opinion leaders that contributes to achieving ADB's goals

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Conducts complex analyses and reviews to achieve planned results
• Integrates projects and programs contributing to sector, country, and regional results
• Identifies and plans for future issues in programs and initiatives
• Designs operational processes, resources, and systems, to deliver higher quality results at lower cost
• Manages for results by planning staff resources, implementing, monitoring, and reporting outcomes

Working Together

• Leads the achievement of interdepartmental or multi-client project goals
• Builds sustainable and productive long-term relationships with strategic partners at Ministerial, Central Agency and Sector level while appreciating differing objectives and concerns
• Actively manages potential team conflict situations before they arise
• Builds a safe environment within teams where staff and clients feel comfortable to openly share differing views and opinions

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Diligently seeks and acts on feedback from internal and external stakeholders
• Consistently provides the appropriate level and amount of communication to internal and external stakeholders
• Develops approaches for information access and the dissemination of relevant knowledge solutions
• Stimulates the formation of novel and useful knowledge products and services

Innovation and Change

• Acts as a change sponsor to win the support of those who are resistant to Strategy 2020 or organizational changes
• Persuasively communicates the reasons for organization change, addressing concerns and encouraging thinking beyond possible immediate personal inconveniences
• Anticipates the need for changes in policies and procedures to increase the effectiveness of ADB's assistance
• Drives the development of a continuous improvement and openness to change culture throughout ADB

Leadership and Strategic Thinking

• Aligning words with actions
• Seeks opportunities to gain support and buy-in from internal and external stakeholders for ADB's vision, mission and strategy
• Motivates others who are unclear or not aligned with the priorities of Strategy 2020 by explaining the rationale and big picture supporting objectives
• Sought out to assist in aligning Departmental and organizational strategies and work plans with the needs of Strategy 2020
• Consistently involves current and potential stakeholders in designing and managing organizational changes needed to achieve ADB's strategic objectives

Accountability

• Consistently assumes responsibility for Divisional or Departmental actions by explaining successes, failures, and proposing remedial actions
• Invests significant time in creating a culture of accountability and responsibility by using experience and advice to guide others
• Share accountability to improve the Division or Departmental performance and effectiveness
• Quickly manages and resolves situations when accountabilities are not met

Inspiring Trust and Integrity

• Expresses views and behaves that enforces ADB values and inspires others to follow
• Establishes an environment that encourages open communication and responsible information sharing
• Delivers on commitments, obligations, and promises
• Avoids abuse of power or authority in any circumstance
• Consistently applies and upholds ADB rules and code of conduct
• Takes prompt and consistent action to address unprofessional, improper, or unethical behavior, including possible misconduct and violations to ADB's anticorruption policy
• Acts promptly to address any situations of perceived, potential, or actual conflicts of interest
• Maintains confidentiality of information in accordance with ADB rules

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Director General, IED or a designated senior staff
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
  • National Staff
  • Administrative Staff

Women are encouraged to apply.

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