Senior Evaluation Specialist

Job Profile:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Director, Development Effectiveness Unit, the Senior Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for implementing the OPEC Fund’s approach to project evaluation by strengthening project results monitoring and conducting sector portfolio evaluations of OPEC Fund operations. The OPEC Fund for International Development is introducing project evaluation to further strengthen its development effectiveness framework and extend the institution’s development effectiveness focus throughout the project cycle. As a new activity, evaluation will be introduced in phases, with a first piloting phase to focus on strengthening project monitoring in close collaboration with the operational Portfolio Management Units, as well as on conducting a number of pilot sector portfolio evaluations.  

The role will involve the planning, coordination, organization and implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities. For results monitoring, the Senior Evaluation Specialist will lead activities to ensure strong results monitoring practices and processes in close coordination and collaboration with other areas of the OPEC Fund, especially with operational areas such as the Portfolio Management Units for both public and private sector operations. The Senior Evaluation Specialist will also lead sector portfolio evaluations. This includes the design and execution of such evaluations, presenting evaluation findings in high-quality, evidence-based evaluation reports, discussing findings with OPEC Fund Management, disseminating lessons learned among OPEC Fund staff and other relevant stakeholders, as well as presenting findings to the OPEC Fund’s Governing Board Committee on Development Effectiveness. S/he will also be in charge of the identification, selection, recruitment, guidance and supervision of external consultants to support these efforts. The portfolio evaluations will require travel. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Monitoring 

• In close collaboration and coordination with the Directors and staff of the OPEC Fund’s Public and Private Sector Portfolio Management Units (PMUs) and other areas as applicable, the Senior Evaluation Specialist: 

• As needed, works with the OPEC Fund IT team and PMUs to define the business requirement definition and implementation of systems and processes to be developed for automating development results monitoring, tracking, aggregation and reporting. 

Evaluation 

• Designs, plans, prepares and conducts high-quality sector portfolio evaluations of the OPEC Fund’s operations using appropriate evaluation methods to collect and analyze evidence that underpins robust and credible evaluation findings. Chooses these methods based on the information sources, evaluation subject matter, data availability, stakeholders, evaluation questions and other relevant factors.
• Leads the creation, population and maintenance of databases relevant for underpinning evaluation analysis and findings.
• Uses data analysis software and tools (including artificial intelligence) as appropriate and beneficial to the quality and efficiency of monitoring and evaluation activities. 
• Identifies, selects, recruits, guides and supervises external consultants to support evaluations.
• Plans, coordinates and conducts project site and counterpart visits to gather relevant information.
• Drafts, reviews and finalizes approach papers, evaluation reports and other evaluation products in line with MDB high quality standards.
• Adjusts drafts based on internal or external peer or supervisor review feedback as appropriate to further strengthen quality.  

Stakeholder engagement 

• Engages relevant internal and external project stakeholders throughout monitoring and evaluation.
• Discusses evaluation reports and findings with OPEC Fund Management to gather feedback.
• Presents evaluation reports and findings to the Governing Board and/or its Committee on Development Effectiveness. 

Dissemination and knowledge management

• Shares evaluation findings and lessons learned with relevant stakeholders, such as staff and Management of the OPEC Fund’s Operations Departments, the project preparation area of the Development Effectiveness Unit, as well as other stakeholders as applicable. 
• For evaluation reports to be published, prepares such publications in coordination with the Communication Department as appropriate. 

Policies and procedures input and development 

• Provides inputs and comments to, and supports the drafting of policy, procedural and other papers concerning monitoring and evaluation of the OPEC Fund’s operations.  
• Supports the Director, Development Effectiveness in the development, consultation and discussion of an OPEC Fund evaluation policy at the end of the piloting period. 

Planning and organization 

• Prepares work plans, budgets and project planning and tracking tools
• Plans, organizes and tracks all activities required for implementing the monitoring and evaluation activities under the work plans 

Any other tasks as may be assigned by the Director, Development Effectiveness Unit.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in (economics, development, public policy or other relevant area.   
• A minimum of 10 years relevant professional experience, of wwhich at least five (5) years of experience in an evaluation function of a good-practice international development finance institution, including at least three (3) years of experience in leading evaluations. 
• Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is an added advantage.

Competencies:

• Collaboration and Teamwork - Ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues, stakeholders (internal and external), and partners from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to achieve shared goals.
• Effective Communication - Ability to articulate ideas and information clearly and persuasively across various channels and audiences, integrate communication best practices, and ensure messages are tailored, culturally sensitive, and impactful, promoting active listening and feedback mechanisms.
• Results-Orientation - Ability to effectively achieve results through proactive ownership, decisive action and strategic planning. ensuring goals are met within specified timeframes and in alignment with OPEC Fund’s strategic direction
• Learning Agility and Adaptability - Ability to swiftly learn, unlearn, and adapt to changing circumstances and emerging challenges, with a commitment to continual growth through embracing new ideas, technologies, updating functional expertise, and facilitating organizational resilience
• Stakeholder and Impact Focus - Ability to prioritize and address the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders to achieve sustainable impact through stakeholder mapping, ensuring effective relationship management, transparent and timely communication, and aligning their contributions with OPEC Fund’s mission to deliver long-term, positive outcomes
• Accountability - Ability to take responsibility for one's actions, decisions, and their outcomes, demonstrating integrity and reliability, adhering to established internal controls, setting clear expectations, and maintaining a high standard of ethical behavior.