UNDP Jobs - 42146- Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Location :

Nukus, UZBEKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

12-Dec-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-7

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six months initial with possible extension (subject to satisfactory performance)

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six months initial with possible extension (subject to satisfactory performance)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Project Title/Department: Sustaining Livelihoods Affected by the Aral Sea Disaster
Work status (full time / part time): Full time
Reports to: Area Manager
Place of work: Nukus, Republic of Karakalpakstan

The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with five UN Agencies including UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, WHO and UNV agreed to implement a Joint Programme on “Sustaining Livelihoods Affected by the Aral Sea Disaster” approved for financing by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security. The programme’s goal is in line with the government’s policy that highlights addressing the impact of the Aral Sea environmental disaster as a priority issue. It will also serve as a mean for broader advocacy around the issue of human security through capacity-building of local authorities and raising awareness on the issues of sustainable development. The programme will target poor rural communities in Karakalpakstan that are faced with unfavorable living circumstances.

This joint initiative is aimed at improving economic, food, health and environmental security for the population of Karakalpakstan affected by the Aral Sea environmental disaster. The programme has three objectives and incorporates both “Top-Down Protection’ and “Bottom-Up Empowerment’ components. The specific objectives are as follows:

Income generation opportunities and economic security for vulnerable groups increased;
Capacity of primary health care workers to address the health consequences of the environmental disaster and economic insecurity enhanced with a specific focus on addressing the needs of women and young people;
Capacity of regional and district authorities enhanced to develop and implement economic, environmental security and social policies aimed at welfare improvement of vulnerable groups

Duties and Responsibilities

Monitoring is a continuing function that uses systematic collection of data on specific indicators to provide Project Management of an ongoing development intervention with indicators to measure progress and the achievement of objectives. Evaluation draws on monitoring reports to discover what happened during the implementation of the Project and to understand why things happened the way they did.
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist works in close collaboration with the Project partners, UNDP operations and programme personnel in the Country Office to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Under the direct supervision of the Area Manager and day to day management of the Team Leader (Access to Services and Governance, the incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Act as a resource person for programme activities related to the monitoring and evaluation and assist in overall programme evaluation and reporting.
Assist Team Leader (Access to Services and Governance) in planning of the component activities, budget and resources, development of action plans and strategies with special focus to evaluation and monitoring.
Assist Team Leader (Access to Services and Governance) to review and finalize community development plans for target communities and implementation of social infrastructure projects.
Assist Team Leader (Access to Services and Governance) in planning and conducting community mobilization events.
Provide support to key stakeholders in development of database on human development indicators for Ministry of Economy of Karakalpakstan and conduct periodic evaluation on the application of the database.
Liaise with the Programme partners to get inputs, relevant data and statistics, including gender disaggregated data for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
Collect social (gender) and economic data in line with the Project components, received from the Project partners; work up and evaluate the data and prepare reports.
Develop and periodically update Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of the Programme.
Conduct periodic evaluations of the Programme and components as stipulated in the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
Conduct verification and analysis of data collected and prepare the corresponding reports for the review of Area Manager.
Participate and contribute to the research activities, gathering statistical data, including gender disaggregated and other information with regard to the programme initiatives and provide analysis of these data with proposals for future actions and possible impact on the programme sustainability.
Engage and involve external expertise on evaluation of mid-term and final evaluation of the programme progress and results and contribute to preparation of the Final evaluation report at the end of the programme implementation.
Review and provide quality assurance support in planning of component action plans
Developing systems to assemble, capture and synthesize knowledge in collaboration with the project’s technical staff and consultants
Develop the knowledge management system in the Programme
Develop mechanisms to identify and document ‘best practices’ and lessons learned of the Programme
Establish tools and mechanisms for monitoring of component’s outputs
Contribute to the programme reporting as per corporate and donor requirements as well as provide inputs to participating UN agencies as needed.
Perform other duties as required by the Team Leader (Access to Services and Governance) and Area Manager

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the team through leadership and personal example
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Ability to lead planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to formulate and manage budgets
Solid project and personnel management skills, and a consistent record of managing complex and challenging partnerships with governments and bilateral donors
Practical knowledge and skills for resource mobilization focusing on multilateral and bilateral donors
Familiarity with UNDP project management
Leadership and Self-Management
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience

Education: University degree in development economics, social sciences, public policy and administration, etc.
Experience: At least 2 years of experience in the areas local socio-economic development and planning. Relevant work experience with international development organizations and specialized training in Monitoring and Evaluation would be an asset.
Preferably strong demonstrated ability in evidence-based research and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Language Requirements: Proficiency in Russian, English. Knowledge of Karakalpak and Uzbek is an asset.
Others: Excellent communications skills, ability to work in the team. Client orientation. Proven ability of planning, data analysis.
Computer literacy, Microsoft Office applications, Internet, as well as knowledge of different database systems would be an asset.

Application Process:

All interested and qualified candidates are required to apply on-line through the UNDP website at www.undp.uz. The UNDP will only accept applications submitted on-line.

Please ensure that before making on-line application you have completed the UNDP Personal History Form (P11). The electronic version of the P11 can be downloaded from http://www.undp.uz (Vacancies Section). The completed (P11) further to be uploaded while applying on-line.

The deadline for submission of application is COB, 12 December, 2013. Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (12 December, 2013) will not be given consideration. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified.

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at www.undp.uz. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.

The position is open for Uzbekistan citizens only