Consultant

Purpose

Establishment of a Roster of Evaluation Consultants

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations (UN) specialized agency responsible for promoting safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping. IMO’s Strategic Plan 2024–2029 seeks to reinforce the Organization’s global leadership in regulating shipping while advancing the maritime dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Internal Oversight and Ethics Office (IOEO) comprises the ethics, evaluation, internal audit and investigation functions. The evaluation function provides independent assessments that strengthen accountability, organizational learning and evidence-informed decision-making. IOEO evaluation work is guided by the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards and UNEG Ethical Guidelines.

Demand for evaluation within IMO has increased in line with the scale and diversity of its technical cooperation portfolio, as well as growing expectations for accountability, transparency and results-based management across the UN system. Strengthening the evaluation function is therefore necessary to ensure the timely delivery of credible, independent and methodologically robust assessments across IMO’s areas of work.

In this context, IOEO is establishing a roster of evaluation consultants and inviting applications from qualified mid-level and senior evaluation professionals. The roster will support the delivery of independent evaluations across IMO’s normative, regulatory and technical cooperation functions, including strategic, thematic, programme and project evaluations aligned with IMO’s mandate and strategic priorities.

Candidates will be assessed through a competitive process based on qualifications, experience and competencies. Successful applicants will be included in the roster and considered for assignments as needs arise, subject to suitability and availability. The duration and specific conditions of each engagement will be defined in the Terms of Reference for each assignment. Inclusion in the roster does not constitute an offer of employment or guarantee for future contractual engagement.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of IOEO, and in accordance with UNEG Norms and Standards and UNEG Ethical Guidelines, rostered consultants may be engaged in strategic, thematic, programme or project evaluations. Depending on the assignment and their expertise, consultants may serve as Team Leaders, Senior Evaluators or Team Members, contributing to the design, implementation, analysis and reporting of evaluations.

Each assignment will be governed by dedicated Terms of Reference outlining the scope, methodology, deliverables and timelines.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing inception reports that articulate the evaluation approach, methodology, workplan and expected deliverables
• Designing and applying appropriate evaluation methodologies, including mixed-methods approaches and context-specific data collection tools
• Leading or contributing to data collection, analysis and triangulation in line with UNEG quality standards
• Presenting preliminary findings to the Evaluation Manager and relevant stakeholders
• Drafting high-quality evaluation reports and analytical outputs communicating findings, conclusions and recommendations
• Finalizing evaluation reports by incorporating feedback from internal and external review processes
• Facilitating validation workshops, stakeholder consultations and learning processes, as required
• Preparing concise summaries, communication products and visual materials highlighting key findings and recommendations

Consultants will work remotely and may be required to travel depending on the requirements of the assignment. All travel arrangements will be undertaken in accordance with IMO policies and procedures. Consultants are required to comply with applicable United Nations security directives and obtain any necessary visas and security clearances, with support from IMO where applicable.

Competencies

Derived from the IMO Competency Framework and the UNEG Competency Framework for Evaluation Professionals:

• Ability to apply evaluation theory and methodological approaches, including theory-based and mixed-methods designs, in complex programme and institutional settings.
• Strong analytical reasoning and professional judgement, including the capacity to synthesize diverse evidence into credible findings and recommendations.
• Professional integrity and ethical judgement, including independence, impartiality and confidentiality in evaluation processes.
• Cultural sensitivity and contextual awareness, including the ability to apply inclusive approaches to diversity in evaluation processes.
• Ability to integrate cross-cutting considerations, including gender equality, inclusion and the principle of “leave no one behind,” into evaluation processes.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex and evolving environments, including regulatory, multilateral and technically specialized contexts.
• Ability to ensure quality assurance in data collection and analysis, including attention to reliability, neutrality and fairness and the identification and mitigation of potential biases and ethical risks.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of UN system policies, processes and evaluation frameworks.

Experience

Minimum Requirements

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in conducting and/or leading strategic, thematic, programme or project evaluations.
• Experience in conducting or contributing to evaluations in international, multilateral or similarly complex institutional contexts, including programmes or initiatives implemented in development or humanitarian settings.
• Experience in the evaluation of programmes, strategies or policy interventions related to sustainable development, including areas such as environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience; climate change mitigation and adaptation and the energy transition; sustainable transport systems, trade and transport facilitation, digitalization and resilient supply chains; global governance, rule of law and regulatory frameworks; human rights and labour rights; gender equality and social inclusion; or institutional and regulatory capacity-building, in alignment with international development frameworks.
• Experience in conducting evaluations that are context-responsive and grounded in local realities, including the integration of diverse knowledge systems and perspectives, engagement with national and local stakeholders, and the application of culturally appropriate and inclusive evaluation approaches.

Desired Experience

• Professional evaluation experience within the UN system or other international or multilateral organizations.
• Experience in evaluating policies, programmes or initiatives related to maritime safety, maritime security and marine environmental protection, including areas such as marine biodiversity and ecosystem resilience; ocean governance and integrated ocean management; sustainable maritime or blue economy development; maritime transport, logistics and port and coastal infrastructure; trade and transport facilitation in the maritime sector; prevention of pollution from ships and other sea-based sources; protection of the marine environment; the rights, welfare and working conditions of seafarers and other maritime workers; and the safety of those at sea.
• Experience in conducting evaluations across a range of geographic and socio‑economic development contexts, particularly in low‑ and middle‑income countries or in fragile and conflict‑affected settings.
• Experience in evaluating partnerships and cooperation mechanisms aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including initiatives involving multi-stakeholder partnerships, engagement with the private sector and industry stakeholders, financing arrangements, technology transfer, and South–South or triangular cooperation.
• Experience in conducting complexity-aware strategic or programmatic evaluations, including the assessment of complex adaptive systems involving multiple stakeholders and non-linear change pathways.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in evaluation, economics, social sciences, political science, development studies, international relations, law or a related field.

A first-level university degree combined with relevant professional training and experience in evaluation may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Languages

Advanced proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is desirable.

Other skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex evaluative insights clearly to diverse audiences.
• Stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills, including the ability to support consultation, validation and feedback processes.
• Digital proficiency relevant to evaluation practice, including the use of data analysis software, online data collection tools, visualization platforms and collaborative technologies.

Contract information

Competitive rate based on relevant experience.