UNDP Jobs - 24066- Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Location :

Abuja, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2011

Application Deadline :

08-Jul-11 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-10

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

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

The Support to Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) Project aims to consolidate and advance democratic governance and accountability in Nigeria to achieve the country’s stated development priorities and outcomes specified in the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) viz.: improvements in accountable governance in accordance with the rule of law and in response to public demand, in the key areas of: elections, justice, and anti corruption. An integral, cross-cutting aspect will be the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment for sustainable democracy and development.

These objectives will be pursued through six distinct and inter-related programming components:

Strengthening of the National Assembly;
Strengthening of Political Parties;
Improvement of the Electoral Process;
Increased Capacity and Performance of Civil Society;
Reinforcing the role of the media;
Empowerment of Women.

Under the guidance and overall supervision of the Project Director as the direct supervisor, the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist is expected to be the focal point for the Project Management Unit (PMU) in the overall M&E activities, and to support implementing partners and advisors in the submission of quality outcome-focused reporting, internal and external reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Functions / Expected Results:

Ensures Monitoring And Evaluation focusing on achievement of the following results:

Implementing partners’ work-plans have appropriate reporting to provide the information outlined in the M&E Framework;
Quality of reporting from the implementing partners and consultants within each DGD project component are properly reviewed, monitored, and reported on;
Guidance and support to implementing partners and consultants sufficiently provided to improve their reporting of outcomes and effectiveness (i.e. not just expenditure and activity implementation);
Capacity of DGD staff and key partners enhanced to make use of Monitoring and Evaluation tools;
Compilation of baseline data for all identified results and impact indicators completed.

Ensures effective management of the evaluation process in DGD, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Substantive inputs into the Terms of Reference (TOR), consultant and evaluation team selection, technical feedback on evaluations and budget oversight;
Guidance on DGD evaluation policies, procedures and practices to project managers concerned with evaluation, consultants and/or members of the evaluation team;
Provision of technical advice at the design stage of the project setting up a framework with defined indicators to facilitate the evaluation at the later stages;
Provision of evaluation feedback for policy/project design, including comments on various documents;
Timely preparation of sound analytical documents with well-reviewed and sound positions on areas evaluated, assessment of the impact and effectiveness of DGD’s project activities;
Follow up on the implementation of evaluation recommendations;
Ensuring the optimal use of evaluations by providing guidance in the preparation of a timely management response to all mandatory evaluations and by developing a communication plan.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of Monitoring and Evaluation, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Collaboration and coordination with other UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations on Monitoring and Evaluation issues;
Organization and realization of results-oriented Monitoring and Evaluation trainings in the Country Office and DGD.

Participation in the evaluation community remaining abreast of latest development and professional norms, standards, tools and methodologies.

Preparation and implementation of the project Monitoring and Evaluation plan in a timely manner as required and indicated in the project document and work plans.

Quarterly review and revision of the M&E framework and as needed.

Identification of issues, challenges, and lessons learned and regular provision of recommendations for corrective actions on project implementation procedures and processes.

Identification and formulation of evaluation findings, lessons learned and recommendations to be integrated into broader Evaluation Office knowledge management efforts.

Contribution to the implementation of the Evaluation Knowledge Management and Learning Strategy.

Other tasks as assigned to him/her as requested by supervisor

Impact of Results:
The M&E Specialist is expected to ensure that the following results are achieved:

Project Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation are undertaken properly, timely and in compliance with UNDP and donor requirements and standards per the agreed schedule;
Project lessons learnt are documented, updated and widely accessible to be disseminated and up-scaled within UNDP Nigeria.

Competencies

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 an enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP and setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing as the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies:

Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
Researches linkages across project activities to identify critical points of integration;
Monitors specific stages of the project's implementation.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
Documents successes and uses them to project a positive image;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor;
Identifies and compiles lessons learned.

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;
Keeps abreast of new developments in the 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.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at the country level.

Client Orientation

Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Development, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Science, Law or a related field.

Experience:

At least 5 years experience in M&E, working with NGOs, UN agencies or donor organizations is an advantage;
Experience in democracy and governance an asset;
Strong documented understanding in quantitative and qualitative analysis;
The ability to work on a variety of issues at a time and the ability to effectively set priorities;
Strong presentation skills and computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point) and familiarity with use of Statistical and database programming packages;
Familiarity with the Nigerian CSO landscape is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

Strong skills in written communications in English;
Excellent spoken English is also required.

Interested Candidates should apply online through the website by clicking on the Apply now button. The system will prompt you to upload a CV on the next page.

Please note that instead of a CV you're required to download the UNDP Personnel History Form (P11) from the following link http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc Complete it and upload when prompted.

Applications without a fully completed P11 form will not be considered. Only applicants that are shortlisted will be contacted.

The system will only allow for one attachement.