Application Guide
How to Apply for Evaluation Expert EOI: Evaluation of UNESCO's Information for All Programme (IFAP)
at UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
🏢 About UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO is the only UN agency with a specific mandate to promote access to information and knowledge as a driver of sustainable development. Its Evaluation Office is independent and its evaluations directly inform the governance of intergovernmental programmes like IFAP, meaning your work will shape global information policy for years to come.
About This Role
You will lead the full evaluation of UNESCO's Information for All Programme (IFAP) covering 2007–2026, assessing its relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability. This retrospective and forward-looking evaluation will examine IFAP's governance, National Committees, resources, and contributions to Member States' information policies and global normative instruments, with findings presented to the 16th IFAP Intergovernmental Council in May 2027.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing background documents and previous evaluations, conducting virtual interviews with IFAP National Committee members or UNESCO staff, and drafting sections of the inception report. You will also coordinate with the Evaluation Office and possibly travel to UNESCO Headquarters for stakeholder consultations, while managing a tight timeline to deliver by March 2027.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Is Looking For
- At least 10 years of experience leading complex evaluations of intergovernmental or multi-stakeholder programmes, preferably in the UN system or similar international organizations.
- Deep knowledge of UNESCO's normative instruments and information policy frameworks, including IFAP, the Recommendation concerning the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace, and the 2030 Agenda.
- Proven ability to design mixed-method evaluations (qualitative and quantitative) and manage large datasets, surveys, and interviews across diverse regions.
- Excellent drafting skills in English (and ideally French) with experience producing evaluation reports for high-level governing bodies.
- Strong understanding of governance and working mechanisms of intergovernmental programmes, including National Committees and financial/human resource management.
📝 Tips for Applying to UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Tailor your CV to highlight evaluations of programmes with a 15+ year timespan and multi-stakeholder governance—UNESCO wants to see you can handle a retrospective review covering nearly two decades.
In your cover letter, explicitly reference the 25th anniversary of IFAP and the 16th session of the Intergovernmental Council in May 2027 to show you understand the political and temporal context.
Demonstrate familiarity with UNESCO's evaluation criteria (relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability) and provide examples of how you applied them in past assignments.
Mention any experience with UNESCO's National Commissions or IFAP National Committees, as the evaluation will heavily assess their role and functioning.
If you have worked on evaluations that informed strategic direction or future programme design, emphasize that—this evaluation is forward-looking and must inform IFAP's future role.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
1) Your experience leading evaluations of intergovernmental programmes with a governance and normative focus. 2) Your methodological approach to assessing relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability over a long period. 3) Your understanding of IFAP's mandate and the challenges it faces in promoting equitable access to information. 4) Your ability to deliver a high-quality report by March 2027 and present findings to the Intergovernmental Council.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read the IFAP Strategic Plan and previous evaluations of IFAP (if available) to understand its objectives, governance structure, and past performance.
- → Familiarize yourself with UNESCO's Evaluation Office guidelines, particularly the UNESCO Evaluation Policy and the Norms and Standards for Evaluation.
- → Research the 16th session of the IFAP Intergovernmental Council and its expected agenda to understand how your findings will be used.
- → Review UNESCO's work on information for all, including the Recommendation concerning the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace and the role of National Commissions.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic evaluation proposal that does not specifically address IFAP's governance, National Committees, and normative contributions—UNESCO wants a tailored approach.
- Underestimating the political sensitivity of evaluating an intergovernmental programme; avoid framing the evaluation as purely technical without acknowledging stakeholder dynamics.
- Failing to demonstrate experience with UNESCO's evaluation criteria and reporting formats, which could signal a lack of familiarity with the organization's requirements.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: October 16, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization!