Background Information - Job-specific
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. 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.
Diversity
With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce โ a strength that helps us better understand and address our partnersโ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.
Local Context
UNOPS has been active in Sierra Leone since 2000 and has delivered a variety of infrastructure projects nationwide, particularly in the fields of Renewable Energy, Health and Security Infrastructure, and has implemented and procured a variety of vehicles, non-medical health related items, medical equipment, and Solar Photovoltaic systems.
Project Information:
Poor access to electricity is recognised as a binding constraint to long-term economic growth in Sierra Leone. The country is currently experiencing a net deficit of power and is in desperate need of new power sources. The Ministry of Energy, Sierra Leone has developed an Energy Sector Roadmap and action plan with initiatives to increase energy access through technical and non-technical interventions. Part of the roadmap strategy is to incorporate Sierra Leone's great Renewable Energy resources to provide security of electricity supply to rural communities and to boost the economy. To help address the energy infrastructure needs, UNOPS on behalf of the Ministry of Energy, is implementing projects to increase renewable energy based mini-grid electricity accessibility to households, businesses, health centers, schools public services etc. and enhance economic growth in underserved rural communities.
The project aims to expand energy access to remote villages, leading to improved development outcomes in health, education and productive use to beneficiary communities. The project is in support of the Ministry's objective of increasing access to electricity in rural communities, exploring a variety of alternative sources of renewable energy. It is envisioned that the project will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 addressing multiple development initiatives. Job Specific:
The M&E Senior Associate will report directly to the M&E Specialist. She/he will be expected to support the rollout of M&E strategies across the country office projects and conduct regular missions to project locations to monitor and interact with project stakeholders in the execution of the projects. Functional Responsibilities
His/her duties include:
Monitoring and Evaluation:
Contribute to formulating, rolling out and managing M&E strategies and plans, logframes and result tracking toolkits including gender-sensitive performance indicators and establishing baselines and methodology.
Coordinate with the mini-grid operators to get regular updates on result framework indicators.
Also, manage the update results in the google sheets, conduct analysis on the status and prepare periodic presentations for donors and UNOPS internally.Conduct periodic spot-check visits to the project sites, collect M&E information and manage the project trackers. Also, visit the field data collection process (impact evaluation surveys) conducted by the third-party contractors.
Undertake necessary steps to clean and analyze M&E result related datasets (regular result management, impact monitoring and impact evaluation).
Undertake regular monitoring visits to the project sites independently or together with the Project Manager and the Project Team to ensure that performance indicators and targets remain relevant and in accordance with the project design and work plan.
Perform any other duties as requested by the supervisors and Project Manager.Reporting and Documents Control:
Ensure that all the required datasets are in place for the donor review processes engaging the relevant stakeholders.
Contribute to the periodic assessments and surveys (e.g. site selection assessments, longitudinal study etc.) in terms of background document reviews, preparing updates and infographics for visualizations etc.
Prepare progress and monthly highlight reports in coordination with the project team, the Programme and Partnership teams.
Ensure timely and quality submission of reports as identified in the project agreement through coordinating inputs and drafting reports related to project activities.
Knowledge Management:
Contribute to finalizing the questionnaires and toolkits for capturing the most significant change stories, best practices and other impact stories. Also, coordinate data collection, analysis and report preparation.
Prepare presentations, infographics, fact sheets on M&E updates and results. Coordinate the communication of the results with the relevant stakeholders.
Contribute to developing, rolling out and managing the project dashboards.
Share knowledge with the project team members ensure coordinated delivery of activities and synergies. Education/Experience/Language requirements
A. Education
Completion of Secondary School is required.
First Level University Degree (Bachelorโs Degree) in Social Sciences, International Development, International Relations, Project Management, Development Studies, Statistics, or relevant disciplines with 3 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the 7 years of relevant experience outlined below.
A Master's Degree (Advanced University Degree) in Social Sciences, International Development, International Relations, Project Management, Development Studies, Statistics, or relevant disciplines with 1 year of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the 7 years of relevant experience outlined below.
B. Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in supporting program/ project monitoring and reporting is required.
Experience in the renewable energy, humanitarian, and/or development sectors is a distinct advantage.
High proficiency with computers, and other software/ platforms related to the position's field of expertise. Good experience in working with the G-Suite platform including Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides is a distinct advantage.
Excellent communication, coordination, and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders, is an asset.
Experience with an international donor organization and/or UN agencies is an advantage.
Experience in preparing, coordinating, and leading donor reporting processes is an advantage.
Ability to analyze online communications using performance indicators is a distinct advantage.
C. Language Requirements
Fluency in written, reading and spoken English Language is required.
D. Certification
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Freetown, Sierra Leone is a family duty station.
Terms and Conditions
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.