Background
UNDP Nepal works in the areas of transitional governance, pro-poor policies and sustainable livelihoods, peace building and recovery, energy, environment and natural disaster management along with gender, HIV as cross cutting issues with its annual programme of US $40 million. It was established in Nepal in 1963 and works closely with the Government and development partners, thousands of community and civil society groups in all 75 districts of Nepal. In all its activities, UNDP encourages social inclusion, protection of human rights and empowerment of women.
UNDP's actions and programmes are defined in its current Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2013-2017 which is prepared jointly by UNDP and the Government of Nepal. The CPAP is based on the broader United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The UNDP field offices were established due to a need to monitor UNDP projects in the field on a regular basis. The objective of the UNDP field office is to support the implementation of CPAP, foremost in the areas of regular monitoring and evaluation of program outputs and results. The information generated from field monitoring is fed back to the country office through the Strategic Planning and Development Effectiveness Unit (SPDEU). The information is used to continuously revise and improve the quality of UNDP’s programmes.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Assistant Country Director, Strategic Planning and Development Effectiveness Unit (SPDEU), and direct supervision of the M&E Analyst (SPDEU), the Senior Field Monitor (SFM) will be responsible for the overall management and planning of the UNDP Field Office. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting implementation of the UNDP Field Monitoring Strategy by guiding and supervising field monitors in planning, undertaking field visits and preparing reports. SFM will alsoconduct field monitoring visits herself/himself. More specifically, the SFM will be responsible for the following:
Ensure effective representation of UNDP and enhance collaboration at the field level:
- Liaise as necessary with government agencies and other UN agencies and development partners at the local level to facilitate implementation of the UNDP Country Programme;
- Participate in annual planning and review processes;
- Provide UNDP with regular updates on local development issues and operating space, early warnings and recommendations;
- Facilitate field visits by UNDP teams, donors, media and others.
Conduct field monitoring visits to communities (spending an average of 10 days in the field per month):
- Collect background information on the communities;
- Review project implementation and assess quality of beneficiary participation, with particular attention to gender equity and social inclusion;
- Assess relevance and effectiveness of project interventions for the beneficiary communities;
- Assess immediate results and potential sustainability of community level interventions;
- Ensure that throughout the project implementation process interventions are fostering peace and harmony and not creating or contributing to tensions;
- Highlight success stories and challenges;
- Gather information on specific issues, as required.
Report on each field visit according to UNDP guidance and formats:
- Identify local level development issues and challenges, changes in development operating space, and new opportunities;
- Assist, as needed, in problem solving at the local level.
Manage the Field Office
- Manage Field Office day-to-day administration and financial activities;
- Ensure the fiduciary accountability of the Field Office;
- Ensure proper use, management, maintenance, and record keeping of assets and equipment’s;
- Ensure proper safety measures prescribed by CO are adopted for the safety and security of staff and office and report to security officer on safety and security matters as per the schedule and as and when asked
- Supervise Field Office staff, including setting annual targets and reviewing staff performance according to UNDP procedures;
- Report to SPDEU on all operations- related matters.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal skills;
- Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors, at the senior levels;
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Sound knowledge, skills and experience in programme monitoring, tools and methods;
- Understanding of Nepal’s development context and of gender inequality and social exclusion issues;
- Good writing skills in English;
- Skill to analyse data and draw inferences;
- Capacity and willingness to visit remote areas for extended periods of time;
- Self-motivated, innovative and able to work with minimum supervision;
- Strong networking and coordination skills;
- Strong work ethics and political neutrality;
- Proficient in use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, email, etc).
Knowledge Management and Learning:
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
- Oral and written communication skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Bachelors' degree in the social sciences, development studies, economics, political science, gender studies, sociology, engineering, public administration, business management or relevant fields.
Experience:
- Should have five years of experience in community development, including in remote areas; experience in monitoring and evaluation an asset.
Language:
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali; fluency in other languages spoken in Nepal will be a strong asset.