Background

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in many countries and jurisdictions, including the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
 
In partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA), the United Nations System, the donor community and other development stakeholders, UNDP has contributed to institutional development efforts that positively impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years, UNDP support has spanned milestone efforts such as the adoption of the Afghan Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; and, institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, judicial and executive branches of the GoIRA, and key  Government ministries, agencies and commissions at the national and sub-national levels. UNDP Afghanistan, benefitting from the very active support of donors, is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN System as a whole, to maximize the impact of its development efforts.
 
Years of conflict have damaged Afghanistan’s economic, political, physical, social and institutional structures. Reconstruction demands a secure environment in which there is credible leadership and enforced Rule of Law. Strong, legitimate and effective public administration structures, responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens - especially the poor and the marginalized – are precursors to any sustainable development. To this end, UNDP Afghanistan supports the National Assembly of Afghanistan (NAA) so that it can effectively discharge its core functions of law making, oversight and representation.
 
UNDP support to the NAA started in 2005 with SEAL 1 (Support to the Establishment of the Afghan Legislature), which was a broad-based project supporting all main aspects of the Parliament’s functions. SEAL 1 was succeeded by SEAL 2 (Supporting an Effective Afghan Legislature) in 2008, which ceased in early 2010. Later in 2010, the NAA requested support from UNDP for the induction of the Members of Parliament elected during that year; strategy formulation for both Houses; and the creation of a full support project to succeed SEAL 2. In the second quarter of 2014, a third generation parliament project, the Institutional and Capacity Support to the Parliament of Afghanistan (ICSPA), will start.
 
The objective of the ICSPA is to assist the two Houses of the   Afghan Parliament, the Wolesi Jirga (House of the People) and the Meshrano Jirga (House of Elders), respectively, in becoming more effective parliamentary institutions, both reflecting and contributing to a growing culture of legitimate and inclusive governance. To achieve such an objective, the ICSPA aims to provide capacity support to the NAA to undertake a comprehensive self-assessment to identify priority areas for support and institutional development, guided by the principles of co-equality and cooperation with other institutions of the GoIRA. The ICSPA will deliver the following Outputs:  [i] Output 1: Self-Assessment Framework and Reform Action Plan developed for, and adopted by, the Afghan Parliament;  [ii] Output 2: Staffing and financial management capacity of the Afghan Parliament enhanced; and, [iii] Output 3: Capacity of the Afghan Parliament’s leadership to undertake reforms enhanced.
 
It is envisioned that the ICSPA will be for five (5) years, under the Direct Implementation Modality (DIM), with its different components working together with their relevant counterparts in the respective Secretariats of both Houses of the Parliament. Over the five-year term of the Project, UNDP may delegate particular areas of the Project for implementation by the concerned National counterpart in the appropriate organizational unit of the NAA. The delegation shall be effected in areas where the National counterparts demonstrate adequate capacity to undertake the responsibility for implementation.
 
The ICSPA will exemplify a strategic and targeted approach, complementary to other assistance projects to the NAA, like the ALBA (Assistance to Legislative Bodies of Afghanistan) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The ICSPA is based firmly on the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and its associated National Priority Programs (NPP), as well as the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the UNDP Country Programme Document (UNDP-CPD), and the UNDP Programmatic Strategy for Legitimate and Inclusive Governance (UNDP-PSLIG).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist post is a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA-P3), with the primary function of partnering with the Technical Specialist Head of Outputs 1&2 and the Chief Technical Advisor, and the rest of the ICSPA Project Team and their national counterparts, in assisting the two Houses of the NAA in their development as democratic, accountable, inclusive and legitimate institutions.
 
The M&E Specialist will initially serve as advisor for Output 1 of the ICSPA, providing technical and procedural assistance for all strategic decisions and activities relating to the formulation of the Self-Assessment Framework;   the development and institutionalization of the Reform Action Plan; and, the implementation of the Reform Action Plan at the NAA. This would involve sharing of international comparative experiences as well as substantive expertise, study of the national development context and existing policy decisions, and coordination and consultations with all relevant stakeholders in Parliament.
 
Immediately after the development of the Reform Action Plan under Output 1, the M&E Specialist will assume as Technical Specialist  for Output 2 of the ICSPA, partnering with the Technical Specialist -Head of Outputs 1&2, the Chief Technical Advisor, and the rest of the Project Team and their national counterparts, in the achievement of the objective to enhance the staffing and financial management capacity of the Parliament, and in strengthening the capacity of Parliament’s leadership to undertake reforms.
 
Under the guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor, and direct supervision of the Technical Specialist, Head of Outputs 1&2, the M&E Specialist will provide leadership in the Project’s inception phase, by detailing project baselines, in terms of schedule, cost, scope, quality and risks, and using these as basis for monitoring the track and progress of the Project. The M&E Specialist shall detail the criteria to provide the basis for decisions necessary to manage changes in the Project, if any. The M&E Specialist shall establish a robust M&E system that would contribute to the development of an excellent mechanism for impact assessment of the outputs of the ICSPA, and document the significant outcomes that influence the Project’s beneficiaries as well as stakeholders. The main focus of the M&E Specialist will be ensuring the effectiveness, transparency and accountability of the Project’s activities. The primary aim of the M&E Specialist will be promoting a high-quality and results-oriented approach in the ICSPA.
 
The M&E Specialist will work in close collaboration with the ICSPA Project Team, attending to their monitoring and evaluation needs and resolving complex supervision related issues and information delivery. The M&E Specialist will be expected to carry out any other responsibility that the Chief Technical Advisor and/or Technical Specialist, Head of Outputs 1&2, may assign from time to time, if required.
 
Summary of Key Functions:
  • Develop a solid monitoring and evaluation system for capturing the impact of the project different interventions:
  • Facilitate the implementation of the M&E System of the Project, including an efficient and effective flow of information as well as the synergy and partnership of the Project Team, the National counterparts at the Parliament, the Project Management Board, the Project Technical Working Group, the Project Donors Group, and other stakeholders;
  • Contribute to the Project’s evaluation, reviews and project knowledge production for informed decision making;
  • Assist the Project Management Board in its role as an oversight body to supervise the implementation   of the Project.
Develop a solid Monitoring & Evaluation System for capturing the impact of the Project’s different interventions:

Setting-up the system.
  • Assess the Project Document against existing systems, structures, and stakeholders, to identify the strengths and weaknesses for feeding into the development of the M&E System for the ICSPA;
  • Develop an effective M&E System with suitable indicators;
  • Develop a comprehensive M&E plan outlining the overall project M&E strategy in the light of the Results, Resources Framework (RRF) of the Project,  including the identification of efficient and effective data collection tools and data sources, both qualitative and quantitative;
  • Develop a periodic evaluation and review plan for all three Outputs of the ICSPA, including the identified Targets and Activities, as required; and
  • Establish database of the Project baseline activities, achievements/outputs and information on the ongoing project activities and their contribution to the Project’s objectives.
Implementation of M&E:
  • Undertake field visits to monitor the implementation of activities as may be required;
  • Assist the Project in the development/management of its M&E System;
  • Provide training to the Project Team, their National counterparts and other stakeholders on the management of the M&E System for the Project;
  • Help develop, refine, and institutionalize the Project’s M&E mechanisms for timely reporting to the Project Management Board through the Chief Technical Advisor;
  • Based on the Annual Work Plan and, in particular, the Project’s budget, design the framework for the physical and process monitoring of Project activities; and
  • Prepare detailed analysis of the Project’s periodic reports, and suggest areas for improvements.
Facilitate the implementation of the M&E System of the Project, including an efficient and effective flow of information as well as the synergy and partnership of the Project Team, the National counterparts at the Parliament, the Project Management Board, the Project Technical Working Group, the Project Donors Group, and other stakeholders:
  • Develop and implement the tools (quantitative and qualitative) for data collection and for timely reporting;
  • Undertake regular analysis of data collected from Parliament and other stakeholders, and prepare reports for submission to the Project Management Board through the Chief Technical Advisor in a timely manner, as and when required;
  • Ensure timely field mentoring is conducted for quality management of the Project’s activities;
  • Produce periodic analytical reports based on the data collected by the Project Team and their National counterparts;
  • Regularly collect lessons learnt and communicate to the Chief Technical Advisor through the Technical Specialist, Head of Outputs 1&2, in a timely manner;
  • Work closely with the Project Team and their national counterparts for the collection of the best practices and subsequent implementation across the Project;
  • Together with Technical Specialist, Head of Outputs 1&2, produce result-oriented success stories from the field; and
  • Work closely with the Technical Specialist, Head of Outputs 1&2 for results-oriented reporting of the Project’s activities.
Contribute to the Project’s evaluation, reviews and project knowledge production for informed decision making:
  • Conduct regular internal evaluation and reviews of the Project activities;
  • Facilitate, together with the UNDP Country Office Programme Unit, commissioning of   independent evaluations of the Project;
  • Ensure proper follow-up of different evaluation outcomes and reviews based on the comprehensive action plan;
  • Work closely with the Project Team and their national counterparts for different research/knowledge product development activities planning;
  • Facilitate different researches and publication of the outcomes; and
  • Together with the Project Team and their national counterparts prepare case studies necessary for the formulation of the Self-Assessment Framework.
Assist the Project Management Board in its role as an oversight body to supervise the implementation   of the Project:
  • Formulate a Capacity Development Plan for institutional reform and development;
  • Conduct capacity assessment of the concerned units of the Parliament and other stakeholders, to evaluate the effectiveness of these units and stakeholders within the existing Constitutional and legal framework of Afghanistan;
  • Prepare training materials and organize the trainings for both the Project Team and their national counterparts on the collection of data/information relating to the implementation of the Project;
  • Fine-tune the tools for M&E, especially the M&E mechanism in support of monitoring the Project indicators, and ensure its effective implementation;
  • Collect relevant information and data from Parliament and other stakeholders, and compile the same for reporting to the Project Management Board through the Chief Technical Advisor;
  • Develop a central data base on the data/information collected for the Project;
  • Enhance the capacity of the Project Team and their National counterparts to prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports;
  • Contribute to the development of the National staff capacities on project M&E by organizing trainings on M&E for concerned units of Parliament;
  • Play the role of a technical specialist, assuring sound implementation of the M&E requirements of the Project.
Impact of Results:
The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency in undertaking the Project activities, and success in the implementation of operational strategies, thus:
  • Accurate analysis and presentation of information, and transparent and well-organized processes ensure Parliament’s, the Donors’, and other stakeholders’ satisfaction;  
  • Ensure the timely and effective delivery of the Project’s Outputs in accordance with the Project Document;
  • Ensure that Project resources are utilized in full compliance with UNDP's rules and regulations and in accordance with the instructions of the Technical Advisor-Head of Outputs 1&2, the Chief Technical Advisor and the Project Management Board; and
  • d. Ensure that UNDP maintains its pioneering leadership in the area of parliamentary development.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 
  • Project management or programme experience at a senior level with UNDP, UN or other development agencies;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism; and
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
Core Competencies:
  • Familiarity with different stages of project/program cycle - design, to implementation, to supervision, to monitoring and evaluation;
  • Strong qualitative and/or quantitative analysis capabilities;
  • Demonstrated quality of judgment and the ability to think strategically, assessing and responding to challenges in parliamentary development work;
  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and the ability to present coherent and convincing strategic analysis;
  • Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
  • Understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients;
  • Makes case for innovative ideas, documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
  • Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for himself/herself, and willingly accepts new work assignments;
  • Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals;
  • Possess strong analytical abilities, particularly in the areas of governance, learning, training and capacity development/transfer;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impacts and results for the client, and responds positively to feedbacks;
  • Understands more advanced aspects of monitoring and evaluation as well as the fundamental concepts of results-based management;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments;
  • Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity, and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively; and
  • Has deep understanding of post-conflict environments and the evolving development challenges.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master’s Degree in development studies (international development, post-conflict), Social Sciences or Statistical Studies.
Experience:
  • A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional working experience in international development, especially in the area of monitoring and evaluation from a gender perspective; working with learning and capacity development initiatives, preferably in conflict/post-conflict situations with emphasis on impact assessment on women;
  • Experience of working in the field of reporting and monitoring, to include experience in developing plans, tracking results, and reporting to different constituencies. Monitoring experience in the UN context is highly desirable;
  • Experience in results-based management is desirable;
  • Knowledge and understanding of public sector institutional capacity development requirements;
  • Knowledge and understanding of conflict/post-conflict development activities, e.g., peace building, reintegration, etc.;
  • Knowledge of the gender policy framework in Afghanistan is an advantage;
  • Experience related to UNDP's mandate and activities is an asset;
  • Previous experience of working in UNDP and in the UN System highly desirable;
  • Exposure to politically tense settings; excellent computer skills, with MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
In addition, the following professional experiences are considered as strong advantage/asset:
  • Familiarity with Afghanistan and its political, social and economic context;
  • Ability to interpret and relate the Rules of Procedure, and precedents and practices, of both Houses of the NAA to the Constitution and existing laws, decrees and executive orders in force in Afghanistan, especially as they impact on the  operations of the Parliament;
  • Successful working experience in Afghanistan or other Islamic countries, particularly in the Central Asia Region;
  • Familiarity with and actual use of, the IPU Self-Assessment Toolkit for Parliaments and the UNDP Benchmarks and Self-Assessment Frameworks for Democratic Legislatures, respectively.
Language:
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English;
  • Knowledge of Dari/Pashto would be an asset.
Note:
  • Interested and qualified international candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at UNDP Afghanistan Vacancy Announcement and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at UNDP Personal History Form (P.11 Form);
  • Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted;
  • For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af.   ;  
  • Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment;
  • Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.