Team Leader / Senior Evaluator

International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a U.S.-based international development consulting company established in 1987, has worked in over 100 countries and implemented over 300 projects. IBTCI serves government agencies, private sector companies, and several donor agencies. IBTCI specializes in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) and institutional support across many areas and sectors including, but not limited to, conflict and crisis, democracy and governance, agriculture, economic growth, food security, education, environment, and global health.

Job Title: Team Leader / Senior Evaluator
Department/Location: MERL / Remote or West & Central Africa (WCA) region
Reports To: Project Director or Technical Lead
Type: Consultant (Short-Term Technical Assistance)
Classification: N/A (Consultant)
Clearance Required: None

Overview:

IBTCI is seeking an experienced Team Leader / Senior Evaluator to lead one or more evaluation teams in the design, coordination, and execution of high-quality evaluations of UNICEF programs in the West and Central Africa (WCA) region. The expert will ensure that rigorous methodology, quality assurance, and timely delivery of all evaluation deliverables in accordance with UNICEF and UNEG standards. This position may involve either or both remote and field-based work, including travel to potentially remote or hard-to-reach areas.

Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Lead the overall evaluation process, including methodology design, team coordination, clear and professional report writing, synthesis of data, and quality assurance of deliverables.
• Develop theory-based evaluation designs, including theory of change reconstruction, impact evaluations, or other mixed-methods approaches.
• Ensure application of innovative and child-sensitive evaluation methodologies, including AI tools when appropriate.
• Maintain rigorous ethical and safeguarding standards aligned with UNEG and UNICEF protocols.

• Provide leadership, technical direction, and coordination across evaluation team members.
• Ensure quality and timeliness of all deliverables, including inception reports, data collection tools, interim progress updates, and final evaluation reports.
• Serve as primary liaison with UNICEF, stakeholders, and local partners.

• Oversee both qualitative and quantitative data collection, ensuring inclusivity, equity, gender-sensitivity, and methodological rigor.
• Analyze and synthesize data to produce clear, actionable findings and recommendations.

• Engage with diverse stakeholders across cultural and institutional settings, including UN agencies, government entities, local partners, and community beneficiaries.
• Ensure participatory approaches and inclusive consultation throughout the evaluation lifecycle.

• Lead the drafting of high-quality reports in compliance with UNICEF’s Global Evaluation Reports Oversight System (GEROS).
• Support dissemination of evaluation findings and lessons learned.
• Report to and liaise with IBTCI’s project director and senior management

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in evaluation, research, public policy, social services, nutrition, public health, economics, statistics, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of professional experience conducting evaluations and/or applied research, including experience as a team leader.
• Proven track record conducting at least 3 high-quality evaluations, preferably with UN agencies.
• Experience working in or evaluating programs in the West and Central Africa (WCA) region is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in mixed-methods evaluations and theory-based approaches.
• Familiarity with ethical standards for research involving vulnerable populations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency in English required; working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese highly preferred.
• Prior experience with UNICEF in field work or evaluations strongly desired. Deep understanding of UNICEF programming principles and UNEG evaluation norms.
  Experience working in Francophone, Anglophone, or Lusophone African contexts.
• Strong analytical, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage complex projects independently and meet tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with child-focused methods and protection principles in evaluation.

Working Environment:

Remote with international travel up to 25%, including to field and hard-to-reach locations.

Work Authorization:

Must be authorized to work in the consultant’s country of residence. IBTCI does not sponsor visas for consultants.

About the Organization:

IBTCI has been in business since 1987. We specialize in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL), Institutional Support (IS), Financial & Risk Management (FRM), Supply Chain Management & Procurement (SCMP), Social & Behavior Change (SBC), and Capacity Building. We provide services across sectors such as nutrition, protection, local capacity building, agriculture, food security, conflict, governance, education, global health, environment, and humanitarian assistance. Our culture fosters collaboration, innovation, and the professional growth of our staff and consultants.