UNDP Jobs - 56557- International Expert on Monitoring and Evaluation

International Expert on Monitoring and Evaluation

Location :

Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

01-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

July - September, 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

30 calendar days within 4 months

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

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office (CO) in Tajikistan is on the ground since 1994 with the ultimate goal to improve the lives of the people of Tajikistan, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and to ensure a future that offers equality, dignity and opportunity for all.

UNDP in Tajikistan is recognized as a credible partner of the Government and international community in development planning and management, aid coordination, local development, including local governance and local economic development, energy and environment, disaster risk reduction and other development areas. Through its programmes and projects primarily focusing on sustainable development, UNDP supports implementation of national strategic documents such as long-term National Development Strategy and medium term Living Standards Improvement Strategy, as well as the sector strategies and ongoing reforms of the Government of Tajikistan.

The current Country Programme Document (2010-2015) covers the following main areas: i) poverty reduction and achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ii) democratic governance, iii) crisis prevention and recovery, iv) environment and sustainable development and v) reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

Design phase of the next cycle of the Country Programme (2016-2020) is currently under development and aligned with the new UNDP's Strategic Plan (2014-2017) according to which "more investment in monitoring and evaluation will help identify improvements required to achieve sustainable results".

Thus, in order to efficiently meet the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan, it is expected that higher quality programmes will be implemented through better project planning and design underpinned by stronger results-based management (RBM) as well as expanded and enhanced monitoring and evaluation capacity of the CO.

Moreover, in May 2014 programme realignment retreat was carried out by UNDP Tajikistan, where the need for unconventional and innovative approach to monitoring and evaluation, was strongly emphasized. This should enable the CO not only improve overall performance and quality of results of ongoing projects and future interventions, but also enhance its credibility in the country as well as promote a culture of results-orientation and transparency within the organization and amongst its partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

An International Expert on Monitoring and Evaluation will work in close collaboration with the Programme Management Support Unit, Programme Analysts, Communications Officer as well as projects and programmes and is expected to undertake the following tasks:

Make SWOT analysis of the existing CO approach to M&E and provide practical recommendations for improvement;
Support development of expanded M&E Framework for the CO and ensure it is aligned with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017 as well as new CPD and UNDAF 2016-2020;
Support development of concept for strengthening national data monitoring and statistics system as well as promotion of evaluation culture in the country;
Make analysis of linkages between national and local as well as programme and project level indicators of the Government and other development partners (e.g. monitoring of the National Development Strategy, Aid Information and Management System, DevInfo, Case Management System etc.) and provide practical recommendations for improvement;
In close collaboration with the CO M&E Focal Point analyze quality of the corporate and major donor reports in terms of M&E requirements and better use of M&E results;
In close collaboration with M&E Focal Point facilitate development of M&E database for the CO and ensure further use of database to enhance the information management of M&E related documents and data;
In close collaboration with M&E Focal Point develop M&E toolkit with unified monitoring forms, data collection forms, M&E matrix, etc.
Provide structured training sessions, on job trainings and mentoring to UNDP staff on results-based planning, reporting and M&E;
As needed undertake visits to the field in coordination with relevant staff to support implementation of M&E activities and identify and further resolve potential implementation gaps;

Competencies

Functional competencies:

Excellent knowledge of RBM, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, technical cooperation assistance and demonstrated ability to provide effective advice on RBM concepts and approaches relevant to programme and project design, management, monitoring and reporting;
Ability to ensure adequate preparation of high-quality reports and effective guidance with respect to key reporting elements;
Knowledge and understanding of theories of change, concepts and approaches relevant to development;
Skills in facilitation and development of workshops, trainings;
Excellent presentation skills;
Excellent communication and team-building skills;
Knowledge of policies and practices in development in the international arena as well as the mandates of the United Nations Development Programme;
Solid research, analytical and facilitation skills.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standard;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s degree preferably in statistics, management, social sciences, development studies or any other relevant field.

Years of experience:

Minimum five years of progressively responsible working experience in development or technical cooperation, in an international organization or related field with a focus on effective programme design and management, including M&E;.
Minimum five years of experience in results-based management, monitoring and evaluation;
Experience in working with data processing, analysis and dissemination;
Experience in development of forms and databases;
Previous working experience within the United Nations system in the area of monitoring and evaluation;

Languages:

Fluency in English is a must;
Fluency in Russian and/or Tajik will be considered an asset.

Application Procedure:

Please follow the link to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice:

http://www.undp.tj/procurement/panel/uploads/IC_PN_M_and_E_Advisor.doc