Roster - Evaluation Consultant

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems.

ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.

Roster - Evaluation Consultant

Vacancy notice no: 2303
Sector: SG
Department: OU
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based

Position number: [[positionNumber]]
Grade: [[PositionGrade]]
Type of contract: Consultant
Duration of contract: Varies from a few days to several months or contract dates.
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 31 December 2026

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The General Secretariat directs administrative, human and financial resources and activities of the Union, including the implementation of the provisions of the administrative regulations on operational questions, the dissemination of information on telecommunication/ICT matters for operational and other purposes, and the provision of legal advice to the whole of the Union. The General Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the Strategic Plan, monitors the telecommunication/ICT environment and recommends as needed action relating to the Union’s future policies and strategy. The General Secretariat ensures inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation to advance a whole of ITU approach (One-ITU) in headquarters and the field. The General Secretariat provides logistical and information technology support to the Union’s activities including conferences and global forums; the coordination of the work of the Union with the United Nations system, and other international organizations; and the engagement of the Member States, Sector Members, and Academia. The General Secretariat manages corporate governance, and strategic communications and relations with the media, different stakeholder groups as well as the general public.

The mission of the OU is to provide independent and objective audit, investigation and evaluation services designed to add value and improve the Organization’s operations and to enhance the integrity and reputation of the Organization across the whole ITU. The OU assists -in an independent manner- the ITU Secretary-General in the fulfilment of management, oversight and integrity responsibilities. The OU respects the federal structure of the ITU as enshrined in the Constitution and Convention and works with the three Bureaux in a cooperative manner. The OU is headed by a Chief of Oversight.
The Oversight Unit enjoys functional and operational independence in performing its duties.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ITU’s Oversight Unit/Evaluation (OU/E) is seeking the establishment of a roster of qualified candidates to undertake services in one of the following areas: centralized and decentralized evaluations, provide technical support to miscellaneous evidence generation processes (evaluations, project evaluations, reviews, rapid assessments) as well as support ITU to develop a robust evaluation culture. ITU has recently established an evaluation function. The evaluation function is part of the Oversight Unit which incorporates Audit, Investigations and Evaluation. Oversight Unit/Evaluation (OU/E) is responsible for building a robust evaluation function in ITU. OU/E Mandate OU/E’s mandate includes three pillars:
1. Centralized evaluations: are evaluations that are commissioned and managed by OU/E. Centralized evaluations will typically involve engaging independent evaluator(s) to undertake the implementation of the evaluation.
2. Decentralized evaluations: OU/E supports decentralized evaluations commissioned by ITU units by providing UNEG-aligned guidance, tools, and quality assurance throughout the evaluation process, including ex post quality assessments and reviews of the terms of reference, inception report, and draft report. Support to decentralized evaluations will often be provided by external evaluation consultants. Ex post quality assessments will be implemented by evaluation consultants.
3. Technical support to ITU: on a demand-driven basis, including improving evaluability, evaluation design, resourcing evaluations, theories of change, and designing and implementing evidence-generation activities such as rapid assessments, reviews, assessments, and project closures. Building a more robust and meaningful evaluation culture within ITU, the OU/E will undertake capacity building and awareness activities in the following areas:
• Theories of change.
• Generating evaluation terms of reference.
• A range of evaluation methods.
• What works in independent evaluations and risks.
• Mitigation strategies and tactics for minimizing risks.
• Engagement processes and promoting utility.
• Evaluation management.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the guidance of the Chief, of the Oversight Unit, and based on the needs of the assignment, the evaluation consultant will work in one of the following areas:

• Lead the implementation of evaluation activities from the inception through to reporting stage of evaluations.
• Provide technical support.
• Lead the implementation of relevant evidence generation activities (i.e. rapid assessments, syntheses, etc).
• Produce evaluation briefs by reviewing evaluation reports, extracting key insights, and drafting concise, communicative summaries aligned with organizational standards.
• Develop capacity building materials by identifying needs, creating practical guidance and tools (e.g., Theory of Change, methods, evaluation management, etc).

CONCRETE DELIVERABLES

Based on the needs of the assignment, concrete deliverables may include:
• Generation of Inception Reports to capture the design of an evaluation.
• Generation of draft evaluation reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Submission of final evaluation reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Creation of evaluation briefs which capture evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations in a summarized and communicative fashion.
• Development of capacity building deliverables. These might include capacity building deliverables related to: Theory of Change, methods, evaluation management, etc.

COMPETENCIES

Consultants with the following topic-area and thematic expertise are encouraged to apply:
(a) Institutional mechanisms and organizational effectiveness; (b) standards and regulations in the digital sector; (c) digital access; (d) telecommunications; (e) market analysis of satellite sector and telecommunications; (f) marketing analysis; (g) diversity, inclusion, gender, human rights, participation and engagement; (h) development projects and programmes, development funds and mechanisms; (i) development of ICTs/telecommunications; (j) network and digital infrastructure; (k) digital policies and regulations; (l) digital inclusion; (m) digital economy; (n) digital services and digitalization; (o) innovation, safe and secure use of ICTs/telecommunications; (p) digital skills, and capacity development.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:
University degree in relevant field in development studies, international development, social sciences, ITCs/telecommunications or a related field or education from a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of a university degree in one of the fields above. A certification in evaluation would be an advantage.

Experience:
At least two (2) years of experience in the field relevant to the Special Service Agreement (SSA).
Experience in the following types of evaluations: strategy evaluations, policy evaluations, process evaluations, outcome evaluations, theory-based evaluations, realist evaluations, mid-range theories, adaptive methods, programme evaluation, and project evaluation.
Experience in approaches to evidence-generation such as rapid assessments, assessments, reviews, value for money assessments, syntheses, project evaluations, programme evaluations, adaptive approaches, segmentation analysis and mid-term assessments.
Experience with the United Nations system would be an advantage.

Languages:
Knowledge of English at advanced level. Knowledge of another official language of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) would be an advantage.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

Daily remuneration will be based on the consultant’s experience and the complexity of the assignment, within the following bands:
• Junior Evaluator: USD 145–200 per working day.
• Senior Evaluator: USD 200–500 per working day.
• Team Lead: USD 500–750 per working day.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Shortlisted candidates will be considered whenever relevant opportunities arise.

INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU Careers website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.