Job Description

Job Title: Evaluations Advisor – permanent

Job Location: Haywards Heath,UK

Reports to: SeniorGlobal Impact Advisor

Responsible for: N/A

Department: Policy & Strategic Programme Support (PS2)

Job Purpose

The Evaluations Advisor will work closely with the rest of the Evaluations Team to deliver the team objectives for quality assurance and learning from Sightsavers evaluations and mid-term reviews, contributing to evidence-based programme design and improved programmeevaluability through the establishment of sound project baseline measurement and indicators.

The post holder will work with the Senior Global Impact Advisor (SGIA) and country offices to coordinate and oversee indicator baselines for new and redesigned programmes,inputting to and supporting the programme design process (PDP), to ensure sound evidence-based designs and development of robust evaluation and learning plans within project M&E frameworks.This is a new area of work for team and may require flexibility and adaptation as new processes are embedded.

The incumbent will also support the Sightsavers evaluation function, ensuring that designed evaluations under their management are effective, relevant to the needs of Sightsavers, its supporters and beneficiaries as well as being learning orientated. The post holder will work closely with the Strategic Evaluations Advisor, taking responsibility for the management of selected evaluations in order to maximise the learning generated from them.

S/he will support the consolidation and development the variety of specific learning mechanisms and analyses for generation and dissemination of learning and evidence (e.g. Reflection workshops, evaluation database, meta-analyses etc,) to ensure that learning from evaluation contributes to strategic planning, project/programme design, funding proposals and that learning is incorporated into practice.

Principal Accountabilities:

  1. Lead on coordination and oversight of selected project/programme indicator baselines, working in close collaboration with country offices, Senior Global Impact Advisor, Programme Systems and Monitoring Team (PSMT) and Research Team to coordinate and ensure all project logframe baselines are collected in timely manner and indicators are robust and able to capture project results, especially at outcome level.
  2. Provide technical M&E advice on logframe development or revision where necessary, and development of M&E frameworks to improve the evaluability of projects.
  3. Provide M&E advisory input to the development of new/refined indicators across various thematic areas.
  4. Manage and advise on selected contractual and learning evaluations from their conceptualization, through execution and synthesis of messages to inform Sightsavers and sector-wide policy and practice to ensure quality evaluation outcomes.
  5. Leading on, or contributing to, meta-analyses of reports, evaluations, data and information which will feed into thematic and strategic decision making through structures such as the newly formed ROAR.
  6. Leading on the selection of themes, and organisation of annual reflection workshop for SPIDER and programme teams
  7. Actively seeking opportunities to share and disseminate evaluation and research evidence through a variety of mediums (reflection workshops, seminars, webpages, etc)

The principle accountabilities are not meant to be an exhaustive list of tasks. The need for flexibility is required and the job holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.

Jobholder Entry Requirements - the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours required

Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):

  • Minimum a Master’s degree in public health, international development, social policy or related disciplines or the demonstration of equivalent learning and experience
  • Demonstrable experience in designing project/programme M&E frameworks.
  • Substantial experience in designing, undertaking and/or commissioning evaluations and ensuring its effective use in the international development context
  • Knowledge of current issues and best practices in international development, particularly around monitoring and evaluation, impact assessment and accountability
  • Understanding of operational research methodologies and approaches
  • Proven experience in understanding and responding to the complexities of working across multiple countries and continents in an international development organisation
  • Experience of programme work – an understanding of the challenges faced in the field
  • Written and spoken French would be an added advantage.

Skills (Special Training or Competence):

  • Good analytical skills
  • Goodpeople management skills
  • Ability to think strategically and translate evidence into effective action plans
  • Relationship building skills with internal and external audiences – a highly collaborative approach
  • A willingness to take difficult decisions and see them through
  • Good communication skills
  • Excellent written and spoken communication skills, and presentation skills
  • Able to travel overseas for up to 8 weeks a year
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Core Behaviours:

  • Planning & Organising
  • Team Working
  • Communicating & Influencing
  • Change & Improvement
  • Decision Making
  • Delivery and Implementation

Key Relationships

Internal

  • Programme Systems and Monitoring Team
  • Policy and Strategic Programmes Support (PS2) teams – Research, Policy, Funding teams
  • Regional and Country/Area Office teams including Country/Area Directors, Programme managers and officers
  • Other key departments in Haywards Heath Office

External

  • Sightsavers’ partner organisations
  • BOND Networks
  • Sightsaverssupporters/donors (DFID, EC, Irish Aid, Foundations, Philanthropists etc.)
  • Other INGO Partners

Date as of: Dec 2015