Background

Following the approval of the High level Panel Report on the System wide Coherence in 2006 , Tanzania was chosen as one of the 8 countries to pilot the concept of Delivering as One (DaO). The overall purpose of the UN reform in Tanzania is to ensure that a more efficient and effective UN that delivers results in support of national priorities. Through avoiding fragmentation and duplication of efforts, the UN will have greater impact on the development and humanitarian challenges that face Tanzania. The implementation of the DaO requires step change in the way the UN does business.

The past three years of DaO have seen substantial progress in the way the UN agencies operate at the country level. There is now a need to sustain and improve the performance both in programme delivery and operations management. In order to ensure further progress the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Tanzania needs the services of a Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist to support the implementation of the 2011 -2015 UNCT Vision and DaO and UN Development Assistance.       

Under the guidance and supervision of the Resident Coordinator, the M&E Specialist ensures the effective implementation of the evaluation policy, sets minimum monitoring and evaluation requirements for the Country Programme and projects, and initiates and manages thematic and crosscutting evaluations, makes a consistent follow up on implementation of recommendations.

The M&E Specialist ensures that objective evaluations are designed and managed to assess the country programme relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of results; evaluations carried out in a credible and systematic manner; evaluation lessons and recommendations are used for programme design, contribute to implementation of UNDAP priorities and results.

The M&E Specialist will liaise closely with the UNDOCO at Headquarters regarding evaluation approaches and methodologies, ensuring that UNDAP meets the minimum requirements for monitoring and evaluation, including the conduct of mandatory project evaluations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

The purpose of this position is to support the UN Country Management Team (UCMT) in the implementation of the UN Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP) through the development and implementation of results based programming in line with the UNDAP, and change management processes under Delivering as One reform, and implementation of evaluation policies and strategies.

Under the guidance of the Resident Coordinator and the direct supervision of the RCO Senior Advisor, the M&E Specialist will assist the UNCT to operationalise, monitor and evaluate the One UN Programme, Operations, Communications and other aspects of the Delivering as One.

The M&E Specialist will lead Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation Group and facilitate collaboration in evaluations of Delivering as One, including the final assessment of the Joint Programmes and the Independent Evaluation of Delivering as One pilot countries.

1. Ensures the implementation of evaluation policies and strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Direct responsibility and accountability for planning, management and oversight of sectoral/thematic, programme and other types of evaluations conducted in the Country related to UNDAP.
  • Advice to the UNCMT on the programme of work, including identification of topics, and sectors to be evaluated.
  • Development of evaluation tools and processes, innovative approaches in evaluation that meet the requirements of UN agencies and UNDOCO.
  • Close dialogue with HQ Evaluation Office and evaluation units in other Pilot Countries with a view of harmonizing evaluation approaches and agendas.
  • Promotion of evaluation standards, quality assurance/control and capacity development within all the Programme Working Groups involved in the implementation of UNDAP.
2. Ensures effective management of the evaluation process focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Support the UNCMT in operationalising the UNDAP, the implementation of the “One UN” programme M&E Framework and tools, and the completion of evaluations.
  • Organization, coordination and leadership of evaluation missions for, sectoral and thematic evaluations.
  • Assist the UNCMT to monitor, evaluate and report against the Delivering as One reform targets.
  • Provide support and guidance to all Programme PM&E activities.
  • Represent the RCO as a lead on PM&E Working Group.
  • Working closely with other UN working groups (Communication Group, Operations Management Group, Inter Agency Gender Group, Human Rights, Interagency Programme Committee) to provide PM&E guidance where required.
  • Provide support and training on specific PM&E and RBM issues to participating agencies.
  • Assist UNCMT to establish lessons to take forward into the implementation of the UNDAP 2011-2015, through participation in the monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the joint UN programmes.
  • Ensure sound UNCMT contribution to the national PM&E systems through the PM&E Working Group.
  • Preparation of the Terms of Reference (TOR), consultant and evaluation team selection, technical feedback on evaluations and budget oversight.
  • Guidance on UNDAP evaluation policies, procedures and practices to programme managers, consultants and/or members of the evaluation team.
  • Provision of the technical advice at the design stage of programmes/projects setting up a framework with defined indicators at the design stage to facilitate the evaluation at the later stages.
  • Provision of evaluation feedback into policy/project/programme design, including comments on various documents.
  • Follow up on implementation of evaluation recommendations. Ensuring the optimal use of evaluations by providing guidance in preparation of timely management response to all mandatory evaluations and by developing a communication plan.
3. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of monitoring and evaluation, focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Identification and formulation of lessons learned from evaluations and studies to be integrated into broader knowledge management.
  • Provision of intellectual and conceptual contribution in the implementation of the Evaluation Knowledge Management and Learning Strategy.
  • Collaboration and coordination with other UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations on monitoring and evaluation issues.
  • Organization and conduct of results-oriented monitoring and evaluation trainings within the UNCMT.
  • Participation in evaluation community remaining abreast of latest development and professional norms, standards, tools and methodologies.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of UNDP’s interventions and activities in achieving the country’s development and the MDG. Effective implementation of evaluation policies and strategies, as well as efficient management of the evaluation process, enhance the organization’s capacity and credibility to provide leadership and high-quality technical advice on the formulation of innovative programme strategies and projects which address specific needs of the country in the UNDP Practice Areas. Specifically the key results areas are:

  • Results Based Inter-Agency Programme Annual Work Plans.
  • Common systems and procedures for monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the UNDAP Programmes and Operations.
  • Biannual progress reviews of the UNDAP Programme Results Matrix, including data collection and analysis.
  • Biannual progress reviews of the UNDAP Delivering as One Results Matrix, including data collection and analysis.
  • PM&E WG functions efficiently as the central hub for PM&E of Delivering as One
  • A calendar of DaO M&E activities.
  • Coordinated RBM regular and ad-hoc meetings.
  • Results based management/HRBA/M&E related training for the UN Tanzania
  • Mid and end of year progress reports.
  • Coordinated internal and external Evaluations.
  • RCO representation in conferences/meetings of the Delivering as One.
  • A managed research and evaluation function for Delivering as One, including Mid-Term systems’ revisions.
  • Established focal point for DOCO liaison on PM&E issues for the One UN Tanzania.

Competencies

Technical Competencies:
  • Strong understanding of Results Based Management (RBM) principles and Human Rights-based Approach to Programming.
  • Logical framework analysis.
  • Understanding of Participatory approaches.
  • Design and management of evaluation processes, including with multiple stakeholders.
  • Project/programme/policy planning, monitoring and management.
  • Understanding of gender considerations.
  • Quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
  • Understanding of the role of Government and civil Non-State Actors in the development process.
  • Strong writing skills.
Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN .
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
  • Knowledge and Learning Management.
  • Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team.
  • Encourages UN staff to share knowledge.
  • Ability to develop a deep understanding in Joint Programming, Delivering as One, UN System reform and common country programming.
  • Demonstrated skills and experience in training, including sound understanding of adult learning principles.
  • Significant experience in programme management and M&E.
  • Experience in leading and facilitating change management interventions.
Coordination Effectiveness
  • Proven experience in leading the implementation of programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for successful results focused implementation.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with multiple organizations (UN, donor organizations, implementing partners), advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.
  • Excellent coordination and facilitation skills.
 
Management and Leadership
  • Focuses on impact and results for the client.
  • Works in teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
  • Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
  • Self starter, and self motivated to work under minimum supervision.
  • Results oriented, flexible and problem solving skills.

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.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

  • Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines.
  • Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff.
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally.
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Economics or related social sciences.
 
Experience:
  • At least 7 years of professional development related work experience at the national or international level. Experience must primarily relate to senior levels of programme management, change management and the monitoring and evaluation of programmes and reform interventions
  • Experience in monitoring and evaluation with a background in the analysis of socio-economic issues and related policy matters. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
 
Language:
  • Fluency in English is essential and knowledge Swahili is an advantage.