UNDP Jobs - 60372- Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

07-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months

Languages Required :

English Portuguese

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 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

Timor-Leste has been making steady progress towards socio-economic growth, but challenges abound. The Government has articulated its developmental vision through a National Development Strategy, demonstrated clear political commitment to social protection and is embarking on a range of governance and public finance reforms. However, high poverty rate (almost 50%), double digit inflation especially food inflation that directly impacts the poor, high dependency rates resulting from the demographic profile, high youth unemployment and institutional structures and systems that need to be strengthened. These challenges are visible in Oe-Cusse district, an enclave nestled within Western Timor province of Indonesia and with an estimated population of 70,000. Oe-Cusse’s developmental challenges are deepened due to its geographical location, weak and very basic institutional base and low public investments in services, making efficient governance difficult at best.

The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL) accords a special status to Oe-Cusse, stating that it shall be ‘governed by a special administrative policy and economic regime’ (Article 71, Clause 2) and a law on Oe-Cusse has recently been passed by the National Parliament, granting Oe-Cusse comprehensive administrative autonomy.

UNDP has been providing policy advice to the Special Economic Zone for Social Market Economy (ZEESM) Office since its establishment and has developed a program to help the Authority and ZEESM (at this point the two are synonymous) conceive, establish and operationalise institutional and developmental structures and systems in Oe-Cusse. The framework for UNDP’s support to the Oe-Cusse Authority and ZEESM is built around two components: (i) governance (ii) sustainable and innovative development. The proposed assistance is aligned with the priorities of the Fifth Constitutional Government as articulated under Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 to establish special zones of social market economy to transform the lives of the people of Oe-Cusse with an integrated approach to sustainable, social and economic development.

A key area under the governance component is to strengthen the planning and oversight functions of the Authority. To this end, services of a long term international Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor are required.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Advisor will divide his time between Dili and Oe-Cusse. The exact division of time will be determined in part by the work plan the Advisor develops and submits as part of the Technical Proposal, and in part by the existing and emerging needs of the assignment. However, it would be reasonable to expect that the Advisor will be expected to spend roughly at least a third of the duration of the assignment in Oe-Cusse.

Summary of Key Functions:

Implement the approved strategy for establishing a Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Office and a modern, inclusive, effective and innovative planning and monitoring system in the Authority;
Elaboration and implementation of operational strategies;
Efficient management of procurement processes, operations and sustainability of ZEESM;
Elaboration, introduction and implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools;
Ensure capacity building and facilitate knowledge building and sharing; and
Provide high quality and senior level advice and inputs to the President of the Authority.

Technical and Advisory Services

Lead the process of effecting changes in the legal, institutional and operational systems leading to the full implementation of the new planning and oversight system and the establishment of the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Office;
Develop relevant rules and regulations related to planning, monitoring and evaluation in tandem with the Legal Advisor to the President of the Authority and implement them;
Develop operational mechanisms, processes, procedures and tools under the new PME system and manage their implementation;
Draft Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Manuals and guidelines;
Produce a Results-based Management handbook and develop a plan for capacity building that enables its use at all tiers of the Authority;
Develop Standard Operating Procedures for implementation of planning and oversight procedures;
Design and produce standard guidance packages, result matrixes, templates and tools for result-based planning, monitoring and evaluation;
Lead the implementation of social accountability tools and of Information Communication Technology based platforms and mechanisms for reporting, evidence collection and evidence based planning and monitoring;
Draft standard bidding documents for procurement process for civil works, good and services including invitation to bid; instruction to bidders; bid data sheet; general conditions of contract management; bidding templates; specification and bill of quantities;
Develop and implement a institutional capacity building program for the staff of the Authority; and
Provide high quality advice to the President on issues related to planning and oversight management.

Provide mentoring and coaching:

Mentoring and coaching staff members to ensure that they understand the new planning, monitoring and evaluation system, procedures and tools;
Involve staff extensively in planning and oversight work, exposing them to increasing levels of responsibility, substance and independence;
Identify a successor and groom and mentor him/her to progressively assume increased levels of responsibility; and
Provide staff with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow on the job.

Competencies

Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills;
Excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
Ability to communicate and state ideas clearly and coherent involving high levels of audience; and
Excellent, demonstrable report writing and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters degree in Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Programme and Project Management or relevant field.

Experience:

At least 10 years of working experience in strategic planning, policy, programming and management in the public sector, as well as developing and implementing capacity development plans ;
Strong programme formulation and design experience and expertise in result-based planning, programming, monitoring and evaluation;
Ability to carry out quantitative and qualitative analysis and to work with big data;
Experience in working in UN organizations, Private sector and public sectors, especially in providing advisory in Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation and Reporting areas; and
Previous work experience and understanding of Timor-Leste context or of similar countries.

Language:

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;
Knowledge of Portuguese or Tetum is highly desirable.

TOR and application documents are available and accessible via this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=25528