UNDP Jobs - 65439- Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Location :

Kuwait, KUWAIT

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

29-Apr-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months, with possibility for extension

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

UNDP and the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills to perform their expected duties.

Under the framework of the Institutional Capacity Development for Implementation of the Kuwait National Development Plan (ICDI/KNDP) project, UNDP and GSSCPD attempt to improve human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning. The aim is to support GSSCPD attain the ability to deliver effectively according to its mandates.

GSSCPD is responsible for elaborating, coordinating and overseeing the Kuwait National Development Plan (KNDP) which addresses the challenges of economic development, human and social development, the efficiency of the state institutions and administration and combating corruption, in accordance with H.H. the Amir’s State Vision “Kuwait 2035”.

Within this context, GSSCPD is seeking to recruit a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to assess the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system of the KNDP at GSSCPD and public entities, and propose and support implementation of a comprehensive M&E system that for the KNDP. The M&E Specialist will focus on capacity building and transfer of know-how specifically to GSSCPD Follow up Department, expanding that through workshops to other entities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Secretary General, the direct supervision of the Head of Follow-up Department and with close coordination with the GSSCPD Project Manager, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will assume the following tasks:

Conduct a thorough assessment of the current M&E system in GSSCPD for KNDP implementation

Review and conduct a brief assessment of the mechanisms that have previously been set up for M&E of the KNDP and staff skills if/when applicable at GSSCPD and public entities;
Liaise with the Central Statistics Bureau (CSB) to assess the current system they are using to monitor and report on the KNDP indicators and targets and identify strengths and areas for improvement;
Review the existing KNDP indicators and targets in relation to the objectives provide proposition for improvement to more results oriented and evidence based indicators where applicable;
Identify and analyze the challenges in implementation of an M&E system based on the previous KNDP experience and develop realistic recommendations.

Develop a proposal for an improved Monitoring and Evaluation System for the KNDP

Develop a proposal for a M&E system that is feasible and implementable based on existing capacities, infrastructure and budget in collaboration with stakeholders. The M&E system could include:

Proposed mechanisms for monitoring and follow up at GSSCPD, CSB and public entities;
Proposed revisions/improvement to the indicators to make them more SMART;
Proposed methodologies for monitoring and reporting on indicators and targets including frequency of data collection and analysis and responsibility;
Proposed methods for monitoring and evaluation of activities;
Requirements for capacity development;
Conduct meetings with relevant stakeholder from the institutions to discuss the proposition;
Present the proposal to the GSSCPD (SG) and other stakeholders for approval and adoption.

In collaboration with the Follow-up Department, implement the approved M&E system

Hold a workshop with relevant representatives from GSSCPD, CSB and key public entities to develop a common understanding of the M&E system and indicators;
Develop the monitoring plan in consultation with the stakeholders based on the system including timelines;
Develop the tools and templates required for monitoring where these do not exist;
Liaise with the Information Technology Department at SCPD and CSB and specifically the system analyst hired by the project to assess the existing data management system and coordinate with them on the design of an IT system that corresponds to the M&E system;
Follow up the establishment of the agreed mechanisms through the formal channels.

Capacity building, training and Ongoing support for SCPD and relevant national counterparts on M&E processes

Based on the above assessment and workshops identify the coaching and training needs of the follow-up department at GSSCPD and other entities and develop a training plan to address them;
Provide coaching and on-the-job-training for staff at the Follow-up department at GSSCPD to enable them to implement their role in relation to KNDP M&E;
Organize a series of trainings for the follow up department at SCPD and relevant national counterparts on 1) results-based management, 2) the M&E system; 3) M&E tools and 4) analysis and reporting based on the plan;
Provide methodological and continuous support to various departments and units during the implementation of the M&E plan; responding to questions about the system;
Solicit external support on M&E to national entities for capacity building on monitoring and evaluation based on needs and demands to enable implementation;
Work on sensitization workshops to build a culture of evaluation.

Ongoing monitoring of and reporting on the M&E System in collaboration with the Follow up Department at GSSCPD

Ensure that monitoring and evaluation is carried out according to the plan and schedule and identify bottlenecks;
In collaboration with the Follow up Department at GSSCPD, review monitoring reports of the entities and provide feedback on the analysis;
Discuss with the entities the findings and recommendations of the monitoring and evaluation to build a culture of learning and follow up;
Conduct regular field visits to ensure compliance of the M&E processes by all departments and units;
Work in a participatory way involving the relevant stakeholders in design and follow up on the M&E system to ensure buy-in and ownership of the government staff and management and ensure practicality of the proposition;
Work in close collaboration with the Follow-up Department at GSSCPD to ensure transfer of skills. The approach should therefore include capacity building at its core;
Liaise with the CSB and the IT systems analyst in development of the system;
Present monthly reports to the GSSCPD and Project Manager highlighting key deliverables and achievements with recommendations for the way forward.

Competencies

The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

Functional competencies:

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Minimum Masters ‘degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics or any related field;
Certification in Monitoring and Evaluation is preferable.

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of proven experience in working and developing M&E systems for government entities or international organization;
Proven experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research and developing tools. Proven expert knowledge of Result Based Management (RBM);
Experience in working with participatory approaches;
Experience in international organizations, NGOs, or governmental entities is highly desirable;
Excellent communication and writing skills is required;
Familiarity with Kuwait governmental institutions is an added advantage;
Excellent computer skills, with MS. Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).

Language requirement:

Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is a must.

Type of Consultancy:

GSSCPD Contract
Duty Station: GSSCPD in Kuwait

Note:

This position will be on governmental contract administered by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development.
As part of the application, the applicant must attach a CV.