Back Monitoirng & Evaluation Specialist (TFMU)

The United Nations in Afghanistan is scaling up programming within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and in line with the global Agenda 2030 and the National Development Plan.   

The re-establishment of LOTFA as a Multi Partner Trust Fund was completed in Q3/2018, when UNDP, in close consultation with the Government of Afghanistan and LOTFA donors, appointed the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Office as the Administrative Agent (AA) of LOTFA.   

In line with the principles of Agenda 2030, the Trust Fund will follow a human rights-based approach and take into consideration the specific needs in Afghanistan and uphold the principle of “leaving no one behind”. Through this lens, UN Afghanistan is committed to strengthening programming in resilience, durable solutions and other humanitarian-development-peace ‘nexus’ related areas which requires additional focus and coordination at the design and consultation phases of programming.

The Trust Fund Management Unit (TFMU) is the entity responsible for the operational functioning of the Fund and it is hosted by the UNDP CO in Afghanistan. The TFMU provides technical and administrative support to the TF Steering Committee and the Technical Working Groups (TWG) and organizes the processes of project proposal(s) revisions, Fund’s monitoring, evaluation, and reporting as well as risk management.  

The TFMU will be led by the Trust Fund Manager who will support the Trust Fund governance structures to engage with Government of Afghanistan, donor community, and development partners through the TF Steering Committee mechanism. The Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist will report directly to the Trust Fund Manager and will supervise a Data Management Specialist and a M&E Specialist (National Officer)

1.   Lead  TFMU’s implementation of a cutting edge and evidence-based Monitoring and Evaluation System:

• Lead on the development and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation strategy of the TFMU;
• Provide substantive technical advice and oversee the development of Terms of References and other relevant documentation for outsourcing quantitative and qualitative research expertise to set up effective M&E systems, conduct assessments, surveys and/or other required assignments;
• Coordinate the M&E team's inputs into the development of Project Documents, results frameworks, evidence-based monitoring and evaluation plans, following Steering Committee decisions and guidance instructions and UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP);
• Keep abreast of cutting edge data collection and monitoring tools to produce evidence-based analytics;
• Support the Trust Fund Manager in establishing a robust empirical evidence-base with quantitative and qualitative data to inform fund allocations, programming and project design;
• Support the Trust Fund Manager in the facilitation of appropriate coordination mechanisms between projects implemented under the Trust Fund's Thematic Windows to ensure optimal synergy, complementary and cost effectiveness  between these with informed M&E data/information ;
• Provision of strategic policy and programme advice on issues related to the Thematic Windows and to the projects implemented under these, based on evidence-based data collection and analyses;
• Support the Trust Fund Manager in overall quality assurance of projects (including spot-checks and  monitoring visits) and data collection strategies implemented under the Trust Fund, in accordance with quality standards of UNDP, and in coordination with the respective Programme Officers responsible for these projects facilitating and applying real-time data collection and analysis tools;
• Coordinate overall funding approvals and budget coordination for all related evaluations, baseline and end-line assessments, studies, research and etc.

2.  Ensure coordination and oversight of operationalizing all fund-level and thematic window/project level M&E frameworks:

• Serve as primary focal point on monitoring and evaluation for the MPTF, including its programme and projects;
• Organize and participate in MPTF coordination and information sharing for a through close collaboration with the Rule of Law and Human Security Unit's programme management team;
• Oversee, quality assure and provide technical guidance on the implementation and coordination of M&E related initiatives and activities under each thematic window of the  MPTF, in close coordination with the government, donors and other stakeholders;
• Engage with thematic windows project managers and their thematic advisors to establish respective M&E frameworks, revise and adjust these on regular basis, supported by the M&E team;
• Facilitate decision making for a suite of real-time monitoring tools  and  approaches  to  support  the  M&E framework  reporting requirements;
• Ensure regular reporting produced for different TFMU stakeholders as well as for UNDP corporate planning and reporting procedures (Results-Oriented Analysis Report, Integrated Work-Planning and etc.) using the data produced from the analytical dashboards.

3.    Oversight of establishing the TFMU knowledge- and result management platform:

• Facilitate the development, set-up and maintenance of a tailored digital platform for data collection and analysis (etc. LOTFA Information and Results platform);
• Supervise  the implementation of the TFMU Information and Results platform;
• Guide Thematic Window project managers in the development of the thematic digital dashboards;
• Advise on data analysis to assess programme results, improve quality and inform future decision-making processes;
• Set up collaboration and coordination mechanism with other UN agencies, Government agencies, NGOs, and other organisations on monitoring and evaluation issues as well as lessons learnt;
• Organise meetings with relevant stakeholders on M&E activities implementation to ensure synergies with Government partners and other development actors, partners, etc.;
• Participate in the monitoring and evaluation communities, inter-agency working groups to remain abreast of latest developments in the country;
• Ensure that M&E Team's results have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of UNDP's interventions and activities in achieving the country's development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

4.    Lead strategic communications and stakeholder engagements:

• Coordinate development of TFMU’s Strategic Communication and stakeholder engagement Plan;
• Oversees that results are regularly communicated to Government, national/ international partners and the Afghan people;
• Establish effective communications channel to regularly share the results of the TFMU;
• Ensure constant social and traditional media engagement for two-way communications processes (feedback from citizens and results communications);
• Ensure strategic stakeholder engagement and feedback on the Government's Strategies, policies and plans to inform TFMU’s strategic directions and management decisions;
• Utilize innovations for all communications related activities in order to showcase TFMU’s achievements and progress to its diverse range of partners.

5.    Coordination and oversight of M&E team and other external parties/ vendors:

• Supervise and manage M&E Team ensuring their smooth and independent individual work, teamwork, effective business processes, capacity enhancement and regular knowledge sharing among staff;
• Guide, supervise, coordinate and ensure quality delivery of services by external vendors (companies, individual consultants) recruited on short and long-term basis in support of the M&E activities;
• Monitor and manage M&E Unit's budgets, expenditures and authorizations for spending limits;

6. Enhancing knowledge management support for external relationships and partnerships by:

• Analysis and management of Fund's knowledge, including knowledge systematization, establishment of good practices and lessons earned and proposals of recommendations;
• Commission assessments, studies, surveys as instructed by the Steering Committee and the TWGs;
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals;
• Develop and manage new and existing partnerships to support evaluation practices in the country with relevant institutions.

Core    

Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work;   
Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them;

Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow;   
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers;

People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;   
Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others;

Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform;   
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others;

Delivery: Ability to get things done;   
Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions.

Technical/Functional    

Strategic Planning: Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission;
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise;

Monitoring and Evaluation: Knowledge of methodologies, tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations;
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise;

Risk Assessment / Management: Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them;
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise;

Data Measurement: Ability to set goals and indicators and to interpret and synthesize results into usable information to inform policy, strategy, and/or action;
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise;

Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals;
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise;

Quality Assurance: Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled;   
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise.

 

Education:    

• Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Evaluation, and related fields is required.

Experience:    

• At least seven years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation at  national or international level is required.
• Experience in development and/or use of monitoring tools and methodologies, design of evaluation is required
• Extensive knowledge of UNDP programming and in-depth understanding of M&E framework is required.
• Experience of working in large programme portfolios will be an advantage.
• Experience in use of SPSS and similar packages is an advantage.

Language Requirements:    

• Proficiency in written and oral English is required.

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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension