Background
ย Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:ย we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a โleave no one behindโ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
ย 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.ย
The Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) was established on 20 October 2021 as a pooled funding instrument to help address basic human needs across Afghanistan, in complementarity to the ongoing humanitarian assistance. The Fund ultimately seeks to support vulnerable Afghan communities withstand, in a sustainable manner, the multiple crises that arose from the new operating environment that came into place after the powershift of August 2021. ย The Trust Fund Management Unit (TFMU) is the Fund Secretariat for STFA: it is the entity responsible for the operational functioning of the Fund and provides technical and management support to the STFA's Steering Committee (SC). TFMU works under the direction of, and reports directly to, the STFA SC and its Chair, the UN Resident Coordinator; UNDP CO Afghanistan provides operational and logistical support to the unit for its day-to-day administration.
STFA constitutes an important vehicle to enable the operationalization of the recently launched UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA), 2023-2025, through joint, inter-agency, โDelivering as Oneโ (DaO) initiatives. ย Programmatic activities under the UNSFA, undertaken alongside the humanitarian response, aim to mitigate, and hopefully avert, the immediate impact of the crises on lives and livelihoods of vulnerable Afghans. The Fund serves as also enables multiple contributing partners to channel their resources and coordinate their support for the implementation of the UNSFA and the UN joint programmes developed under it. The three outcome areas under UNSFA (on services, livelihoods and rights) remain key programmatic priorities under the scope of STFA's Terms of Reference.
Under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, housed in the TFMU, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist is responsible for design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, systems, and tools, including conducting programme quality assurance; lead coordination of and support to monitoring, reporting, evaluation and results-based management of joint programmes and projects; facilitate knowledge building and sharing on monitoring, evaluation, and results-based management. The M&E Specialist also works in close collaboration with the Programme Management, Finance and Communications teams in the TFMU as well as with the M&E focal points of the Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs).
Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe M&E Specialist works under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the international M&E Specialist.
Development of planning, M&E tools and systems:ย
Contribute to programme design, oversight and evaluation, by providing analytical work to better understand the expected results and priorities and advising on results framework formulation as well as on applicable guidance.ย Assist in the planning, prioritizing and sequencing of STFA activities for strategic and optimal result-oriented programming. Draft evaluation plans and lead on development of terms of reference/scope of work for assigned evaluations. Provide technical advice and quality assurance to staff of Participating UN Organizations on programme evaluations, including through review of terms of reference, evaluation methodology and draft reports.ย Advise on the preparation of work plans, progress reports, presentations and other programme related documents and correspondence as may be required.ย Prepare high quality documentation for dissemination to the relevant stakeholders.ย Develop and implement innovative M&E tools as well as establish systems and metrics for data collection and analysis, and production of routine reports. Develop and set-up effective standard operating procedures for commissioning evaluations, reviews and exercise quality assurance role when applicable.Coordination of and support to monitoring reporting, evaluation and results-based management of joint programmes and projects:
Oversee implementation and application of efficient and evidence-based results monitoring, and as applicable, quality assurance work for programme and project development and delivery using integrated portfolio approach. Ensure timely identification of potential implementation problems and bottlenecks and advise the management and programme/project teams on strategies/corrective measures to address them. Ensure donor reports are timely prepared in line with established requirements. Prepare analysis of results of projects, and other periodic information and reports for the Fund, donor community and other key stakeholders. Advise on data use and interpretation to assess country programme results, improve programme quality, identify trends, and inform future decision-making processes.ย Ensure consistent maintenance and monitoring of relevant scorecards and quality assurance tools such as the Social and Environmental Safeguards. Provide support to the management and coordination of third-party monitoring and/or any other data collection interventions in the Fund. Undertake regular monitoring visits to review and assimilate data related on programmes funded by the Trust Fund. Collect and report accurate, reliable and coherent data, achieving the right balance of qualitative and quantitative evidence.ย Coordinate monitoring and evaluation-related events, products, and technical assistance needs.Extract and analyze critical lessons learned and good practices from evaluation, audit and monitoring reports.ยProvide substantive contributions to facilitate knowledge building and sharing on monitoring, evaluation, and results-based management:
Evaluation Management:
Effectively manage and contribute to the evaluation stages including a) evaluability assessment b) preparation; c) implementation and management; and d) use of the evaluation. This includes serving as Evaluation Manager for assigned evaluation exercises. Provide accurate and timely guidance on draft terms of reference for evaluation, reviewing evaluation reports, management responses, lessons learned, and other relevant information within the specified time frame.ย Participate in the selection/recruitment of external evaluators and ensure safeguarding the independence of evaluations. Ensure provision of technical and administrative support and required data and documentation. This includes review and comment on inception reports including evaluation questions and methodologies, circulating draft and final evaluation reports; collecting and consolidating comments on draft evaluation reports and sharing with the evaluation team for finalization of the evaluation report. Contribute to the development of management responses and key actions to all recommendations from evaluations. Facilitate, monitor and report on status of management responses and key actions. Advise TMFU and other stakeholders regarding results of evaluations and any lessons or management/operational issues that should be addressed.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
Competencies ย Core competencies: Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsย Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:Business Managementย ย ย ย
Monitoring and Evaluation. Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. Portfolio Managementย . Ability to select, prioritize and control the organizationโs programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management. Communication. Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. Results based management. Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.Business Developmentย ย ย ย
Knowledge Generation. Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectivenessย ย ย ย
Effectiveness. Programming (PPM) policies and proceduresBusiness Direction & Strategyย ย ย ย
System Thinking. Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the systemย Required Skills and Experience ย Education: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Development, Development Studies, Monitoring & Evaluation, Economics, Statistics, Business Management, Social Policy is required; orย A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: Minimum 5 years (with Masterโs degree) or 7 years (with Bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in M&E, programme management working with quality assurance instruments, results-based management models, and multiple stakeholders is required. Proven technical knowledge of the results-based management cycle and/or monitoring and evaluation is required. Proven experience in designing monitoring and evaluation systems for large programme portfolios or joint programmes is required.ย Proven ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data, and appropriately use qualitative data /information collection tools in innovative ways is required. Experience in designing, implementing and/or managing results frameworks for large programme portfolios or joint programmes is highly desirable. Experience conducting joint monitoring exercises, donor missions and reporting on findings is highly desirable. Experience in supporting and coordinating third party monitoring and evaluation exercises is highly desirable. Prior experience of joint programme donor reporting is desirable. Experience in the usage of database, data analytics and data visualization packages is desirable. Working experience with diverse and multi-cultural teams is desirable.
Required languages:
Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is required. ย Disclaimerย Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)ย
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ย Non-discrimination
ย UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.ย ย
ย UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.ย
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