Evaluation and Research Analyst (ERA) [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Eligibility

This vacancy is advertised using a tiered application process:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments.
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers.
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates.

About the Role

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of UNDP supports accountability and learning by providing independent, credible, and useful evaluative evidence to the Executive Board and the management of UNDP, UNCDF, and UNV. The IEO conducts independent evaluations and other activities according to its programme of work approved by the Executive Board. The IEO has five workstreams: Country Programme Evaluation; Corporate and Thematic Evaluation; Capacity Development and Decentralized Evaluation; Knowledge and Data Management; and Operations. The IEO has regionalized its operations since 2023 and holds fiduciary responsibilities for the UN Evaluation Group Secretariat.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and execution of independent country programme evaluations (ICPEs), including development of research and analytic frameworks and evaluation methods, under the guidance of the lead evaluator.
• Contribute directly to data collection, analysis, findings, conclusions, and recommendations of evaluation reports, ensuring rigor, credibility, and traceability of evidence.
• Support identification, contracting, and technical and operational accompaniment of evaluation teams and external consultants, including monitoring deliverable quality against contract requirements.
• Engage with country office staff, national stakeholders, and relevant internal and external stakeholders, including coordinating meetings, consultations, and validation sessions.
• Prepare evaluation TOR, outcome assessment papers, and other evaluation inputs, supporting all steps of the evaluation process as required.
• Conduct high-quality research and generate analytical inputs using primary and secondary data sources, applying quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including AI and data analytics tools (e.g., AIDA platform, Power BI, Python, R) to strengthen the evidence base for evaluation findings.
• Perform programme and financial analysis and prepare analytical outputs, including dashboards, visuals, and infographics for evaluation reports and other IEO knowledge products.
• Design and analyze surveys and manage datasets for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Manage evaluation-related timelines, resources, and collaboration tools to support seamless execution.
• Liaise and coordinate with IEO section teams, external evaluation consultants, regional hubs, and other UNDP teams as needed for the conduct of evaluations.
• Support the Chief of Section in the preparation of background notes and talking points for presentations to staff and Senior Management, and provide additional research support as required by the IEO.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and methodological innovation across the IEO, and keep abreast of developments in the field of evaluation.
• Perform other duties within the functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Qualifications and Skills

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

• Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Business Management - Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Business Management - Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Business Management - Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform, and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making.
• Digital - Tech Literacy: Ability to apply new digital tools or adapting their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives, or develop solutions. Understands the potential and limitations of certain technological developments.
• Evaluation - Technical Evaluation Skills:
  • Experience in developing and communicating methodological guidance across complex evaluative approaches.
  • Proven understanding of theories of change and logic models and ability to use a systems approach in evaluation.
  • Ability to develop high-quality terms of reference for complex evaluations.
  • Demonstrated ability to design and conduct complex evaluations, drawing on existing best practices and developing innovative approaches.
  • Excellent evaluation methods knowledge, including the ability to apply and interpret a range of evaluation methods and approaches, both quantitative and qualitative.
  • Capable of analyzing data from diverse sources, identifying trends and gaps in information.
  • Strong analytical skills, with an ability to elaborate credible findings, ensuring evidence traceability.
  • Uses analytical skills to synthesize findings within their context.

Institutional Arrangement

The Evaluation and Research Analyst (ERA) will be supervised by the Chief of Section, CPE, and will work in close collaboration with IEO evaluation team leaders and managers as well as other units of IEO, as needed. The ERA will work under a home-based modality. Candidates living in the US must be either American citizens or green card holders to be eligible.