Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist

UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi Country Office is recruiting for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist position (Program Management Support) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Organizational Context

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Horn of Africa Multi Country Office

Established in 2009, Ethiopia Multi-country office, now referred to as the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks within the region. The HAMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Addis Ababa which manages a portfolio of engagements in four (4)  Horn of Africa countries  (Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan). HAMCO focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services across a wide range of sectors including Health, Education, Agriculture, Resilient infrastructure, among others.

Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners through  delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in the countries in the Horn of Africa.

The primary role of Programme Office (PMO) is to provide the MCO with the structures, tools and techniques needed to ensure that it has the right programmes and projects in place, that operational and change priorities are balanced, the governance and decision making is facilitated and it has the resources and capability to deliver them consistently well.

The functions and services of the Programme Units include:

• Strategic Planning/Portfolio Support: Ensuring UNOPS is focused on doing the right projects and contributing to the design new projects that mainstream best practices in portfolio programme and project management, infrastructure, GESI, PSEAH, Do No Harm and ensure projects Leaving No One Behind
• Delivery Support: Ensuring UNOPS is doing projects the right way, by actively supporting project managers and their teams to plan, implement and report on outputs and outcomes
• Best Practices: Applying best practices and UNOPS systems in portfolio programme and project management, infrastructure, GESI, PSEAH, Do No Harm and ensure projects Leaving No One Behind, building capacity and encouraging consistent working practices and ensuring appropriate application.

Through these functions and services, the Monitoring and  Evaluation and Learning Specialist contributes to the PMO’s mandate by ensuring that UNOPS policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the organization, international and national codes and standards.  The PMO strongly contributes to moving the office towards achieving its mission-focused goals and objectives.

II. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The purpose of the Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning Specialist position is to provide technical expertise and support in the planning, development and implementation of M&E systems, tools and measures across the HAMCO.  The Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning  Specialist will be responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant M & E standards and guidelines.

The scope of the assignment includes providing M&E technical and advisory support to programme and projects, MCO portfolio and programme level reporting, including ensuring visibility and visualisation of projects at project, program and portfolio level, stakeholder management and coordination, knowledge management, innovation, and personnel management. The duties of the M & E Specialist will require travel to project sites as necessary. This position reports to the PMO Team lead and will supervise the work of the Data Analysts.

The incumbent will ensure the quality and timeliness of execution of services and of submission of key deliverables in the programmatic M&E and Learning areas, and if needed, propose innovative and proactive solutions.

The Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning Specialist will be responsible for the  below listed responsibilities.

1. Strategic perspective and M&E plan development

• Lead the development and delivery of a functioning monitoring, evaluation and learning systems, which will be coherent with project documents, project appraisal documents, project operations manual, UNOPS Project Proposal and the Project M&E Implementation Plan and in line with M & E guidelines
• Design, develop, pilot and roll out M&E plans for the projects in close consultation with the project managers and  with donors and UNOPS guidelines;
• Formulate  initial operational results frameworks (ORF) in consultation with relevant stakeholders
• Engage in the strategic plan review and development of a new strategic plan of the MCO and country offices business plan.
• Develop an M&E plan for the MCO strategic plans, monitor progress and make sure there is an informed decision for the senior leadership team of the MCO.
• Plan and organise for assessments (Baseline, MTE and Endline as needed) as guided by the project implementation plans
• Provide oversight and support on M&E and performance issues to different projects
• Contribute to the integration of M&E in emerging policies, processes, systems, and guidelines for portfolio, programme and project management.
• Extend technical support to facilitate the design of projects, programmes and portfolios’ results frameworks and theories of change, means of verification and reporting tools.

2. Project Monitoring and Reporting

• Lead in design, operationalising and custodianship of MIS at portfolio, programme and project level within the MCO.
• Contributes to monitoring the implementation and performance of M&E systems across the portfolio and programme
• Contribute to development of standard recording  and reporting formats for different projects based on the results frameworks and reporting requirements;
• Data analysis; analyse both qualitative and quantitative data collected from project performance activities, assessments and studies.
• Reporting: Contribute to preparing various written reports, documents and communications,
• Work with the communication unit to provide periodic report to internal and external reports (monthly, quarterly, semi annual and annual)
• Assist project management team to provide project performance report to funding sources and clients.
• Ensure alignment of reports with corporate, donors or other stakeholders reporting templates and regulations.
• Ascertain data quality:
• Maintain high data quality standards and ensure the collection of data follows the UNOPS guidelines.
• Conduct regular data quality checks.

3. Evaluation and Impact Assessment

• Manage and lead evaluations conducted by UNOPS.
• Develop and implement evaluations protocols  to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance and sustainability of the project.
• Develop TORs for evaluation consultants.
• Supervise and monitor consultants assigned for the evaluation.
• Provide recommendations based on evaluation results to improve project performance.
• Provide specialist support to the PMO Team Leader, HoP and Project Executives in the implementation, monitoring and reporting of mid-term and end-of-year reviews.

4. Coordination and leadership

• Act as custodian of the MCO M & E community of practice
• Conduct  capacity building and on the job trainings on monitoring, evaluation and reporting as required
• Liaise with project team members and communication unit to upload UNOPS contributions to the UNifo (UN common reporting platform).
• Lead in annual review of the MCO strategic plan
• Work with the project team in conducting a lesson learned workshop and document properly the actions for the next project cycle.
• Provide technical guidance for the implementation of the MCO level M&E plan, through training and other on-site support;
• Based on the monitoring and evaluation data, support the projects in developing performance improvement plans; and
• Build capacities of implementing partners in M&E through workshops based as needed.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the PMO Team Lead to support the implementation and oversight of the projects.

5. Stakeholder engagement and Communications

• Take part in meetings and/or workshops with government, UNCT, donor M&E as well as related partner meetings to ensure improved coordination in monitoring and evaluation of the projects.
• Represent UNOPS in the UNCT M&E system, make sure UNOPS plans and reports are properly recorded in the UNCT wide system
• Collaborate with the Communications team in the elaboration of projects Communication and Visibility strategy and implementation plan that is in line with donors and UNOPS guidelines;
• Ensure that all communication material, press and digital, include verified data prior to publication.

6. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Develops strategies and approaches that foster a common vision for maturity in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, and strive towards harmonizing good practices across projects in the MCO;
• Develop process for knowledge management within the programme including recording of lessons learnt and best practices;
• Establish mechanisms to use HOACO knowledge and experience, including feeding into: a) HOACO own programming; b) programming by other donors in the sector, and c) policy dialogue with government
• Proactively remain abreast of new developments, innovations and tools related to Portfolio, Programme and Project Management (P3M) practices promoting a common approach and frame of reference;
• Supports the PMO to ensure lessons learnt are identified, captured and shared in a timely and appropriate manner
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.
• Participate in, and advocate PMs’ participation in, relevant Communities of Practice;
• Actively contribute to piloting and mainstreaming digital solutions and efficient tools for the implementation of MEL systems
• Coach, mentor, train and otherwise support the Programme and Project Management Teams to fulfill their objectives and potential;
• Act as an advisory resource for other Programme Team members as appropriate;

7. Personnel management (as assigned)

• Lead, Motivate and Manage the pool of M&E practitioners;
• Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely;
• Actively contributes to the implementation and further refinement of the Resources Pool Management Strategy; promoting synergies across the MCO;
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed;
• Contribute to instilling a culture of excellence, best practices, continuous improvement, and lesson learning in the delivery of projects;
• Take a leadership role in the implementation of the Operational Excellence Agenda; ensuring M&E aspirations of the MCO are well understood and implemented;
• Identify emerging resources needs and proposes solutions to ensure uninterrupted and consistent support the Project Managers in project delivery;
• Promote and support a learning culture by empowering team members to take charge of their learning and development aspirations, and plan/ facilitate learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility;
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.
• Providing induction briefings to newly recruited staff and render support to consultants in the course of their assignment;

Impact of Results: 

The Monitoring  and Evaluation and Learning Specialist directly impacts on achievement of Portfolio Programme and Project results by assisting the Head of Programme, PMO Team Leader, Project Executives and Project Managers to design of M&E systems in line with the Horn of Africa MCO’s vision and corporate policies and systems.

This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services

Education

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Qualitative Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Business administration, Public administration, Public health,  International relations, Development studies, Social Sciences or related field is required.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Qualitative Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public health, International relations, Development Studies, Social sciences or related field  with a combination of an additional two  (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Work Experience 

• Minimum of five (5) years’ of relevant experience in design, development and/or implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems in humanitarian programing is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years experience in dashboard and MIS design and implementation is required
• A minimum of five (5) years experience in an online data collection system is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years experience in data analysis and management is required.
• Experience in management/oversight/support of various implementing partners in donor funded programmes is an added advantage;
• Experience in providing monitoring and evaluation of multi partner programmes is an added advantage.
• Strong ICT background required including understanding of programming and SQL is desirable
• Experience working with national governments, capacity building, knowledge management and experience with major donors/ Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) is an added advantage;
• Experience in disaster risk management and evidence based data and information is an added advantage;
• Prior experience in the UN system is an added advantage;