Senior Evaluation Officer

World Bank Group • Washington, DC

12d

About The Position

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org. About the World Bank Group Established in 1944, the WBG is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. It is governed by 188-member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 15,000 staff located globally. The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). IEG’s Role The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) is responsible for the assessment of the relevance, efficacy, and efficiency of World Bank Group operational policies, programs and activities, and their contribution to development effectiveness. IEG’s evaluations aim to enhance accountability and learning to inform the formulation of new directions, policies and procedures, country and sector strategies, and programs for the World Bank Group’s work. IEG is directly responsible for: • Assessing whether the World Bank Group Institutions’ operational policies, programs and activities are producing the expected results, including global, regional, and other programs in which the Institution(s) is (are) a participant. • Incorporating evaluation assessments and findings into recommendations designed to help improve the development effectiveness of the World Bank Group’s programs and activities, and their responsiveness to member countries’ needs and concerns. • Appraising the Institutions’ self-evaluations of strategies and projects and attesting to their adequacy to the Boards. • Reporting periodically to the Boards on actions taken by the Institution(s) in response to evaluation findings, and on the measures being taken to improve the overall operations evaluation system including dissemination and outreach activities. • Identifying and disseminating evaluation findings and lessons to maximize contributions to the World Bank Group’s learning and knowledge framework and reinforce learning and accountability within the World Bank Group in service of achieving its corporate goals. • Encouraging and assisting developing member countries to build effective monitoring and evaluation associations, capacities and systems. • Working closely with development partners and developing countries to foster international evaluation harmonization, to develop evaluation capacity in developing countries, and to encourage best practice in international development evaluation. IEG operational departments IEG is led by the Director General, Evaluation (DGE), who reports directly to the Board of Executive Directors through the Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE). IEG’s organizational structure comprises two operational departments: Finance, Private Sector, Sustainable Development and Infrastructure (IEGSP) and Human Development and Economic Growth (IEGHE), which are responsible for leading the evaluation of WBG programs and projects, analytic and advisory products, country strategies, corporate evaluations, and sector, thematic or focused evaluations across the WBG. The IEGSP department comprises three units: IEG Infrastructure and Digital (IEGID), IEG Private Sector Development (IEGPS), and IEG Planet (IEGPL). IEGPL covers all planet sectors (notably agriculture, environment, climate, water) and covers all three WBG institutions: World Bank (including IDA and IBRD), IFC and MIGA. Duties and Accountabilities The Senior Evaluation Officer, IEGPL, reports to the Manager of IEGPL. He/she will be a strong evaluator, with extensive experience in planet sectors including climate and nature-based solutions. He/she will be directly responsible for related evaluations – including thematic evaluations, cluster project evaluations, validation work, and learning engagements and outreach. He/she will design and conduct evaluations. He she/may also contribute to other evaluations, and corporate activities as a subject matter expert, as well as contributing to IEG corporate objectives. More specifically, under the direction of the Unit Manager, the Senior Evaluation Officer will have the following primary responsibilities:

Requirements

• Master’s Degree or PhD degree in directly relevant area of expertise, including planet sectors (agriculture, environment, forestry, water, climate), economics, or evaluation.
• At least 8+ years of relevant experience. Prior experience – operational, analytical/research, and policy-related - in Planet, nature and related sectors.
• Strong familiarity with World Bank, IFC and MIGA work, including operational and analytical, or at a minimum in other similar institutions.
• Extensive experience and understanding of the design and delivery of complex evaluations, preferably in a multilateral development bank context; or solid experience in overseeing or leading the successful preparation and effective dissemination of highly complex analytical products for maximum impact, combined with some familiarity with evaluation principles, criteria and methods.
• Deep experience in quantitative methods (such as econometric analysis) and qualitative methods (such as for cross case analysis) relevant to robust, evaluations, especially in relation to applying mixed methods to answer complex questions on outcomes and impacts.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, proven ability to distill complexity appropriately for a range of audiences.
• Honed diplomatic and negotiation skills, with demonstrated strong personal maturity, balanced judgment, and a track record of building and maintaining partnerships with colleagues and clients.
• Strong practical understanding of how to engage with operational teams effectively in the design and delivery of evaluations, protecting independence and credibility while promoting learning and ownership for operational staff.
• Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills, and ability to operate collaboratively across organizational boundaries.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor, develop and empower more junior staff, to provide seasoned advice to more senior staff and managers, and to work collaboratively with peers.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, tracking and delivering complex evaluation/research projects of high quality in a context of time and budget constraints.
• Highly organized and able to work under competing deadlines and multitask. Driven and committed to consistently deliver high quality work.
• Ability and willingness to travel to developing countries.

Nice To Haves

• Some familiarity with Artificial Intelligence tools, as they relate to robust and ethical research.

Responsibilities

• Lead or co-lead the design, implementation and dissemination of IEG evaluations, including thematic evaluations, cluster evaluations, and other IEG products.
• Lead or co-lead micro reviews and/or their coordination, in Planet sectors.
• Lead, co-lead and/or participate in the development Learning Engagements (LEs) and outreach and dissemination activities related to IEG’s evaluative work.
• Provide advice and technical insight on other evaluation work, technical input to the IEGPL manager, and for development of the IEG work program for Planet sectors.
• As TTL/co TTL/senior team member, oversee the work and support coaching of junior staff, including by providing quality-assurance and guidance.
• Contribute to VPU, departmental, and cross-sectoral activities designed to help IEG pursue its mission, specifically in providing methodological advice and coaching across units, and contribute in other forms to the development of IEG products.

Benefits

• The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees