Monitor and Evaluation Officer

Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in approximately 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality and exclusion. The programme helps countries to develop policies, leadership and partnership skills, institutional capacities, and to build resilience to sustainable development results. UNDP implements several projects in different areas, offering its partners technical, operational and management assistance through access to methodologies, specialized knowledge, specialized advice and technical cooperation through its Global Policy Network.

ContextThe Monitor and Evaluation Officer- Conserving Biodiversity and Reducing Land Degradation using a Ridge-to-Reef approach, will become a key member of an innovative environmental conservation initiative focused on implementing the Ridge to Reef (R2R) approach in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This role will concentrate on monitoring, evaluation, and assessment of project activities related to Protected Areas (PA) management, Sustainable Land Management (SLM), and biodiversity conservation. Working within a diverse team of environmental specialists, the Volunteer will provide technical expertise to advance the project's comprehensive objectives. Operating under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with field teams and stakeholders, the position will focus on tracking project implementation, measuring impact, and ensuring alignment with Global Environment Facility (GEF) strategic objectives. The primary objective of this role is to establish and maintain robust monitoring and evaluation systems that support the project's multi-focal strategy across four key components: • Component 1: Monitor and evaluate the strengthening of institutional frameworks for protected areas, biodiversity conservation, and SLM/CSA (Climate Smart Agriculture) implementation. • Component 2: Track the effectiveness of management systems for new and existing Protected Areas covering 13,214 hectares (ha) of terrestrial area and 2,183 hectares (ha) of marine park. • Component 3: Assess integrated watershed management measures and their impact on sustainable livelihood opportunities. • Component 4: Evaluate knowledge management systems and their effectiveness in promoting SLM, CSA, and biodiversity conservation practices. This position will focus on developing and implementing comprehensive Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) frameworks to: • Track progress in addressing biodiversity loss drivers, including habitat fragmentation and land degradation. • Monitor the implementation of sustainable land management practices across the Buccament, Yambou, and Kingstown watersheds. • Evaluate the effectiveness of participatory approaches and gender-responsive programming. • Assess progress toward GEF Strategic Objective 3 targets and associated co-benefits. The Volunteer will be instrumental in documenting transformational changes in agriculture and forest sectors while ensuring that project interventions deliver measurable global environmental benefits through the Ridge to Reef framework.

Task DescriptionUnder the delegated authority and direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Monitor and Evaluation Officer will: • Develop, update, and manage the M&E framework to track the progress and impact of project activities in alignment with UNDP Quality Assurance principles. • Regularly update the M&E plan, including indicators, targets, and status reports, ensuring alignment with project objectives and donor requirements. • Design and validate new performance indicators in collaboration with stakeholders to enhance project monitoring and reporting. • Confirm and validate baseline data to establish benchmarks for evaluating project impact. • Develop and maintain a centralized Data Repository using GEF tracking tools for efficient data management and reporting. • Conduct data collection and analysis to generate evidence-based insights for adaptive project management. • Prepare and present quarterly reports, highlighting key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for improvement. • Organize and facilitate stakeholder workshops to share project progress, validate findings, and gather feedback. • Update project risk logs and contribute to the development of the Project Implementation Report (PIR) for the 2024-2025 cycle. • Support terminal evaluation activities, including data provision, document preparation, and stakeholder engagement. Results/Expected Outputs As a critical member of the project team, the Monitor & Evaluation Officer will ensure the effective tracking and evaluation of project outcomes. Expected outputs include: • A comprehensive and well-maintained M&E framework, including updated indicators, baselines, and targets. • Development and operationalization of a centralized Data Repository and tracking system using GEF tracking tools. • Accurate and timely quarterly reports presenting project progress, achievements, and recommendations. • Successful facilitation of stakeholder workshops for progress validation and knowledge exchange. • Updated risk logs and a comprehensive PIR for the 2024-2025 project cycle. • Support the completion of Quarterly reports. • Validation and documentation of performance indicators and baseline data. • Support for terminal evaluation activities, ensuring robust data availability and stakeholder involvement. • A final assessment report summarizing M&E activities, achievements, and key lessons learned to guide future project initiatives.

Competencies and values• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarksSaint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is an enchanting archipelagic state in the Eastern Caribbean, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity. Comprising 32 islands and cays, SVG is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike. The main island, Saint Vincent, boasts lush rainforests, scenic waterfalls, and the iconic La Soufrière volcano, offering countless opportunities for exploration and recreation. Temperatures range from 75°F to 88°F (24°C to 31°C) year-round, with refreshing sea breezes tempering the tropical warmth. An independent nation and a member of the Commonwealth, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines enjoys a vibrant culture shaped by its African, Indigenous, European, and Caribbean heritage. The country is known for its abundant agriculture, including the cultivation of bananas, breadfruit, and root crops, as well as a thriving fisheries sector. SVG is also a growing destination for ecotourism, with marine sanctuaries, coral reefs, and beautiful beaches dotting the Grenadine islands. The capital, Kingstown, is a bustling city known for its Georgian-style architecture and lively market square. It offers modern amenities such as hospitals, schools, and shopping centres. The city is the island’s hub for commerce and culture, with historical sites like the Botanical Gardens—the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. Kingstown's harbor is a key port for cruise ships and inter-island ferries, making it a lively centre for travel and trade. The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force maintains a strong presence to ensure public safety. Visitors and residents are encouraged to exercise basic security precautions in their daily activities. Housing options are readily available in safe, residential areas, and the country’s infrastructure includes reliable electricity, water supply, and internet connectivity. Public transportation is easily accessible through a network of minibuses and taxis. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the selected volunteer will primarily work in Kingstown, with occasional travel to project sites across the island and the Grenadines. Volunteers will be responsible for arranging their housing and other living essentials during the assignment. Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) and Deployment / Repatriation lump sums, among others, are available at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos