UNDP Jobs - 58684- Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor

Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

08-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Organizational Context:

Over the last two years, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and its partners have established a number of structures and instruments aimed at implementing the Somali Compact, developed and agreed in September 2013 and in line with the New Deal framework.

As part of the Compact, the FGS and development partners agreed to establish the Somalia Development and Reconstruction Facility (SDRF) as a centerpiece of the effort to enhance the delivery of effective assistance to all Somalis. Closely aligned with the Somalia Compact principles, the SDRF serves as a mechanism for the FGS and partners to oversee and guide the implementation of priorities across all five Peace and Stater Building Goals (PSGs), as defined and coordinated through PSG Working Groups.

The UN’s contribution to the Somali Compact is reflected in the Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF), whose timing and content are aligned with the Compact. Across all five PSGs and in the cross cutting areas of stabilization and capacity development, the ISF articulates the various Compact outcomes and milestones which the UN (UNSOM and UN Agencies) will support, and the various outputs for which the UN will be held accountable.

The SDRF also brings together several financing instruments (“windows”) under common governance arrangements including the Somalia UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) which provides funding to national entities and UN agencies for implementation of Compact priorities in across all PSGs.

While all these different structures have begun operations, efforts to develop and finalize robust monitoring and evaluation systems are on-going:

At the Compact level, there is a need in particular to finalize the development of outcome indicators (per PSG, with baseline and targets). Milestones are being developed through the PSG WG on an annual basis; however, many of these milestones are incomplete, and reporting of progress against them remains weak and unsystematic; as a result, the Annual Progress Report for 2014 was developed on anecdotal evidence rather than a systematic review of progress made against agreed milestones. And it remains unclear how programme and project level reporting/monitoring feeds into the assessment of progress against the PSG milestones.
At the UN level, the M&E framework for the ISF requires significant updates; and ISF management tool has been developed but it requires capacity for roll out/implementation, to support RCO and Joint Planning Unit of UNSOM. The M&E framework for the UN MPTF has been developed, with three levels of monitoring (programme level results; MPTF wide outcomes; and Fund level performance), but the MPTF wide outcomes have yet to be developed, and further work is required to ensure complete alignment between the UN MPTF framework, the ISF framework and the Compact framework.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

The International M&E Advisor will support the RCO in the following tasks:

Review and upgrade of the ISF management tool in line with the Compact level M&E;
Support UN PSG leads and focal points in the assessment of progress against milestones and deliverables; and support implementation of the ISF management tool;
Finalize and implement the UN MPTF M&E framework, in line with the Compact level M&E and the ISF management tool;
Provide, as relevant, support to the national M&E staff, and assist, as requested, in the development of the Compact level M&E framework;
Design, coordinate and/or provide M&E specific trainings to national counterparts;
Convene and support the work of the UN M&E Working Group;
Identify, consolidate and disseminate M&E good practices to various actors (Government, UN, donors) and participate, as relevant in M&E trainings/discussions/forums;
Advise the RC, the RCO and the UNCT on M&E related matters (challenges, opportunities).

In all of these tasks, the international consultant will work closely with a number of actors currently engaged in Compact implementation and support to M&E development, including the ACU / MoPIC, World Bank, the UNDP, the New Deal team (UNSOM) and the Joint Planning Unit (UNSOM).

The International M&E Advisor will be based in Nairobi with travel as needed throughout Somalia. The consultant will report directly to the RC through the Head of the RC Office for work planning, reporting and administrative requirements.

Key Results Expected:

Key results expected include:

ISF management tool revised/upgraded/updated and successful quarterly implementation, with results informing senior level decision making;
UN MPTF M&E framework finalized and implemented, with regular M&E reporting for government, UN, and donors;
National M&E systems and capacities strengthened.

To deliver these results, the International M&E Advisor will develop a work plan, in consultation with the RCO, with specific deliverables and timetables, in line with these Terms of Reference:

On the basis of the work plan, the International M&E Advisor will provide bi-monthly progress reports to the RC, through the RCO, and for onward submission to the UNDP New Deal Facility (as funder of this consultancy);

The reports will, inter alia, provide:

Status reports on deliverables, with supporting evidence;
Analysis of progress made, obstacles, and other issues for senior leadership consideration;
Timelines for upcoming deliverables.

Competencies

Impact of Results:

Robust UN M&E systems and approaches (ISF, UN MPTF);
Pro-active UN M&E Working Group;
Increased donor confidence in - and funding to - UN plans, programs and activities;
Enhanced alignment of international assistance plans behind national plans, and harmonization of M&E efforts;
Increased national ME capacity.

Competencies:

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:

Planning:

Ability to lead the design and implementation of M&E systems and approaches;
Knowledge of Results Based Management concepts and tools;
Experience in strategic planning (including, preferably, with the UN);
Experience in data collection, analysis, and management (including relevant softwares).

Knowledge and Learning Management:

Shares knowledge and experience across partners;
Encourages colleagues to share knowledge;
Understanding of national and UN planning tools (including, preferably, ISF and UNDAFs) and the New Deal.

Coordination Effectiveness:

Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships within Government entities, UN Agencies and donors;
Ability to advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A graduate degree in project management, international affairs, politics, economics, management and other social science or related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of M&E / planning related work experience;
Knowledge of the UN preferable.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English and advanced communication skills and are essential;
Knowledge of Somali preferable.