Historique

Severe flooding hit much of the country in January and February 2015, causing widespread damage and economic losses. Heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow in many locations, and 44 out of 80 municipalities, with roughly 170,000 people were affected in all. The floods caused major damages to roads and bridges, interrupting transport, and drainage and irrigation systems were also damaged. Much agricultural land was also flooded, causing extensive losses to farming families. 
The European Union approved a 10 million EUR flood recovery programme as part of a broader strategy to improve capacities for flood protection and mitigation in the most affected areas. The programme comprises two separate components focusing on: a) recovery of transport infrastructure (a more mature project at advanced stages of implementation: b) recovery of water infrastructure (ongoing project with number of remaining construction projects). 
More specifically, the goal of this EU-funded programme is to assist the country’s recovery efforts in the aftermath of the floods that occurred in early 2015 by reconstructing damaged transport infrastructure, and rehabilitation of priority regulated river sections and drainage networks in the affected Crna Reka and Strumica River Basins, as well as improvement of stability and flood control function of four priority dams. The “building back better” approach is being applied to maximize resilience to future floods and mitigate the risk of floods in priority sensitive regions of the country.
The Monitoring Officer’s primary role will be to support the implementation of the EU Flood Recovery Programme through monitoring and coordinating the work of the multitude of construction contractors, supervising engineers, designers, reviewers, civil engineering consultants, and suppliers of equipment and materials. 68% of her/his time, the Monitoring Officer will commit to the implementation of the the EU Flood Recovery Programme for the water infrastructure. The remaining 32%, the Monitoring Officer will dedicate to other UNDP-implemented projects that include infrastructure recovery/development activities (e.g., Reducing Flood Risk in the Polog Region; Reducing Flood Risk in Kumanovo Municipality). 
The Monitoring Officer shall make every effort to create added value and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of all planned interventions within the EU Floods Recovery projects by making synergies with other relevant ongoing interventions with the goal of supporting the advancement of the EU agenda in the country.
Under direct supervision of the EU Flood Recovery Programme Manager and overall guidance of the UNDP Head of Energy, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, the Monitoring Officer will implement assigned project components, develop project resource profiles and timelines, assess delivery issues and work with national counterparts to build common understanding and coordination on project activities. S/he will be expected to support the reporting and evaluation of implementation of the project activities. The greatest proportion of her/his duties would be focused on monitoring of the construction works. S/he shall work in close collaboration with the Energy, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction Team, other CO Programme and Operations teams, as well as with partner institutions and organizations (e.g., municipalities, Water Management Organization, etc.). 
Considering the nature of duties and responsibilities, the ideal candidate shall possess qualification in civil engineering (e.g., design, review, execution and supervision, preferably of hydraulic structures), combined with soft skills in project management, construction contract management, monitoring functions, reporting and similar, as well as excellent command of English. 

Duty station: The staff member will be based at the UNDP premises in Skopje with regular travel to the projects’ sites.

Devoirs et responsabilités

1. Monitoring and evaluation of project implementation 
2. Technical support to the project team, partner institutions, organizations and stakeholders in implementation of project activities
3. Project implementation support 
4. Supports the Project Manager in mainstreaming gender equality

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

1.    Expected results: Monitoring and evaluation of project implementation

•  Monitor the implementation of the project work plans and activities and report on their timeliness and quality; 
• Serve as direct link for relevant stakeholders with UNDP by maintaining regular communications, collecting information from various sources;
• Undertake field visits to spot-check progress in implementation of the activities;
• Provide input to drafting of various project reports on the assigned project activities (based on the monitoring and evaluation efforts);
• Alert on any delays, problems and issues during project implementation and offer solutions; 
• Ensure active participation and interaction of various stakeholders in the project activities as per the work plans and objectives
• Assess the level of satisfaction of the project partners and beneficiaries and advise/ recommend improvements to achieve the planned objectives, as needed. 

2.    Expected results: Technical support to the project team, partner institutions, organizations and stakeholders in implementation of project activities 

• Provide input in the preparation of TORs/Specifications, techical documentation, etc. 
• Overall project support primarily through technical monitoring of the implementation activities;
• Provide overall support to partner institutions, organizations and stakeholders in terms of ensuring smooth implementation of project activities, including in substantive, technical monitoring, administrative and operational issues;
• Regular field visits to important project sites that would involve inspection of ongoing work, meeting with stakeholders, facilitation of project activities and similar;
• Active participation in transfer of knowledge among relevant project stakeholders; 
• Provide regular information and clarification about the objectives and procedures applicable to implementation of the programme to the relevant stakeholders at central and local level;
• Continuous promotion of project vision, concepts and goals among local stakeholders.

3.    Expected results: Project implementation support 

• Provide techical advise to improve project activities particularly related to the performance of Contractors and/or management of the contract for construction works (support to adaptive management);
• Ensure effective organization of the technical documentation (e.g., studies, engineering designs, supervision reports, commissioning reports and other);
• Support the preparation of project work-plans, operational and financial planning process processes, based on the monitoring work and consultation with the local stakeholders;
• Keep track of the payments/disbursements by UNDP toward contractors in charge of the assigned project activities;
• Prepare agendas, briefs and arranges field visits of visitors to the project (appointing meetings, attending meetings, facilitating communication, translation services);
• Prepare minutes from the visits / meetings as well as prepares fields visits reports as required; 
• Regularly feed-in information for  ATLAS, as required;
• Participate in selections committees and other bodies stated as required.
• Ensure effective mainstreaming of gender equality

4.    Supports the Project Manager in mainstreaming gender equality;

• Supports preparation of gender equality background materials for use in discussion, correspondence and briefing sessions;
• Ensures that all the data, when collecting and compiling inputs relating to the Project, are gender disaggregated;
• In the preparation of meetings/consultations/trainings/commissions ensuring a minimum of 30% participation of the other sex.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

The Monitoring Officer’s performance will be measured in accordance with the following indicators of success:

• Timely and efficient monitorign and assessment of activities
• Timely completion of envisaged deliverables including support to beneficiaries
• Proactive role in the implementation of the on local level activities
• Established and maintained good relations with the project partners, including central and local authorities and other relevant local stakeholders

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

•  Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
•  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Development and Operational Effectiveness: 

• Ability to support strategic planning, results-based programming, management, reporting as well as resource mobilization efforts;
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation and networking skills; 
• Ability to support formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development Programmes and projects;
• Demonstrates outstanding oral and written communication and presentation skills; 

Management and Leadership: 

• Analyses complex problems systematically and efficiently. Focuses on critical details while managing a broad perspective. Draws accurate conclusions and makes sound decisions;
• Results Oriented: Uses initiative to deliver required outputs and planned results in accordance with time and budget targets;
• Demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability. Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Demonstrates strong conflict resolution skills;
• Handles confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Communication - ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

• Listens to develop awareness for client needs
• Respects difference of opinion 
• Finds common ground to solve problems
• Gains trust of peers, partners, clients
• Presents complex, conceptual ideas in practical terms to others

Technical Competencies

• Practical experience in design, review and/or implementation of construction work;
• Experience in monitoring and assessment and identification of needs;
• Ability to organize and plan events;
• Knowledge of the applicable national legislation (e.g. Law on Construction; 
• Knowledge and sensitivity of local politics and culture as well as community related issues.
• Capability for traveling, field work and work under pressure; 
• Driving licence 

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• University degree in a civil engineering (preferably civil engineering) or architecture. M.Sc. in relevant field is a strong asset.

Professional experience:  

• At least 3 years (two years for the candidates with M.Sc.) of relevant professional experience in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of construction projects. Experience from implementation of similar projects funded/implemented by international organizations shall be a strong asset.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills in Macedonian and in English; Knowledge of other local languages shall be an asset.