Back Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Portfolio)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

UNDP positions itself as a development partner that brings global knowledge, through a multi-sectoral approach – the key comparative advantage of UNDP - and concentrates its work on 3 programmatic fields: i) Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, ii) Inclusive and Democratic Governance, iii) Climate Change and Environment. In addition, UNDP also plays a key role in supporting the Government of Turkey with the refugee response through its Syrian Crisis Response and Resilience Programme- relying on its experience in these three major areas (i.e. livelihoods and facilitation of job creation, municipal service delivery, youth empowerment and protection/ social cohesion).

ISG Portfolio benefits from the interplay between UNDP global strategic priorities and national priorities and consolidates complementary CO initiatives with a view to bringing further coherence to programmatic work in this area. The emphasis of the ISG Portfolio is on “inclusive growth”. The ISG is positioned to address structural economic problems, such as productivity, the middle-income trap, multi-dimensional poverty, energy security and regional disparities, as well as challenges with both social and economic repercussions, such as urbanization, resource efficiency, health transformation and community-based development. Gender Equality and Women’s empowerment is addressed from an economic perspective (e.g. women entrepreneurship and gender equality in labour force participation), ensuring complementarity but avoiding duplication. Partnerships with private sector targets to build inclusive markets that can advance sustainable development, foster innovation, provide jobs and livelihoods, ensure gender equality, and create businesses that aim at a triple bottom line (profit, environmental responsibility and social value added). 

In principle, the ISG Portfolio focuses on productive employment rather than income redistribution, even though both are critical issues. The work on social policies and services will promote equal access to opportunities and therefore, will contribute to equitable growth. Hence the emphasis will be not only on employment growth but also on productivity growth. The two programme areas that ISG covers are a) Competitiveness, Economic Growth and Innovation (CEG+), and b) Public Policies and Inequalities (PPI).

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is a continuous management function to assess if progress is made in achieving expected results, to spot bottlenecks in implementation and to highlight whether there are any unintended effects (positive or negative) from an investment plan, programme or project (“project/plan”) and its activities. Therefore, in order to have good planning, monitoring and evaluation and to enhance the contribution of UNDP by establishing clear links between past, present and future initiatives and development results, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&E Officer) position in scope of ISG Portfolio is planned to be announced. 

The M&E Officer will support the development and evolution of organizational performance management framework as well as specific program M&E needs to ensure the quality, and effectiveness of program implementation. S(he) will provide assistance to the programme staff in developing performance monitoring plans and results frameworks during program design and implementation, creating M&E system, processes and tools, contributing to measuring, analyzing, and reporting results.

The M&E Officer will play a critical role in the implementation of the projects by providing advice on: (i) how to strengthen the adaptive management and monitoring function of the projects; (ii) how to ensure accountability for the achievement of the objectives; (iii) how to enhance organizational and development learning; and (iv) how to enable informed decision - making.

This evaluation and monitoring function will be initiated by the M&E Officer within the scope of ISG Portfolio and aims to provide Portfolio Managers with strategy and policy options for more effectively and efficiently achieving the project’s expected results and for replicating the results. It also provides the basis for learning and accountability for managers and stakeholders.

The M&E Officer will provide ISG Portfolio and UNDP with complete and convincing evidence to support its findings/ratings. Particular emphasis should be put on the current project results and the possibility of achieving the objective and outcomes in the established timeframe, taking into consideration the speed, at which the projects are proceeding.

The M&E Officer will identify potential project design problems, assess progress towards the achievement of the objectives, identify and document lessons learned (including lessons that might improve design and implementation of projects and to make recommendations regarding specific actions that might be taken to improve the projects. S/he will serve all ISG Portfolio to validate and fill the gaps in the initial assessment of relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency obtained from monitoring. The M&E Officer’s evaluation will provide the opportunity to assess early signs of projects’ success or failure and prompt necessary adjustments.

Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to carry out Evaluation and Monitoring function for ISG Portfolio. Under the supervision of the Portfolio Managers of ISG, the M&E Officer will be responsible for assessing the overall projects’ progress, to make sure that the projects are on track to deliver the agreed outcomes and produce recommendations on any adjustments needed on Portfolio Basis.

The purposes of the Evaluation and Monitoring are:

(i)      To assess overall performance against the projects’ objectives and outcomes as set out in the Project Documents, sub-project documents, Annual Work Plans etc.

(ii)     To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the projects;

(iii)    To analyze critically the implementation and management arrangements of the projects;

(iv)    To assess the progress to date towards the achievement of the outcomes;

(v)     To review planned strategies and plans for achieving the overall objective of the projects within the timeframe;

(vi)    To assess the sustainability of the project’s interventions;

(vii)   To list and document initial lessons concerning project design, implementation and management;

(viii)  To assess projects’ relevance to national priorities;

(ix)    To provide guidance for the future project activities and, if necessary, for the implementation and management arrangements;

Key Results Expected and Measurable Outputs

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of ISG Portfolio is expected to assess progress in meeting project targets as identified in ISG portfolio projects’ results frameworks, identifying any difficulties in project implementation and their causes, and recommend a corrective course of action.

The SC is expected to assume the following tasks:

Measurable Outputs

% of time

1.         Data Collection, securing data backups, Developing M&E system and plan

• Develop the M&E system with the support of M&E Analyst, setting up standard procedures and processes to ensure credible, reliable, timely and cost-effective monitoring data needed to inform ongoing management decisions, strategic planning, learning, and uphold accountability.
• With the support of M&E Analyst, develop SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) indicators supported by clear and concise indicator guidelines which define the data sources, data collection methods, frequency and audience.
• Develop and implement ISG Portfolio’s strategy in results - based management, results monitoring and reporting framework according to UNDP Global, regional and national based plans.
• Develop and strengthen monitoring, inspection and evaluation procedures.
• Monitor and evaluate overall progress on achievement of result and the sustainability of the project's results;
• Build substantive knowledge and knowledge sharing on monitoring - evaluation and reporting.
• Coordinate the development of knowledge management tools for the Projects.
• Establish an inventory of reliable, secondary data sources of key statistics to contribute to M&E, and to reduce the use of time and resources needed in primary data collection.
• Mainstream gender equality, women’s empowerment and other cross-cutting issues into all M&E tools and methods.

30

2. Carrying out analysis, coordinating, reporting and training staff

• Coordinate and provide support to PM/ project team to develop project database linked to project outcome indicators by closely liaising with government counterparts.
• Collect data and reporting protocols linked to project outcome indicators.
• Coordinate and support project teams to undertake data analysis to generate information for regular reporting and knowledge sharing
• Provide data and information for regular project reporting
• Provide support to the project team to identify M&E related challenges and develop a methodology to resolve the issues and improve the capacity
• Serve as a portfolio focal point for M&E, coordination with Quality Assurance Unit of UNDP
• Coordinate with project staff, projects coordinators and portfolio managers of ISG portfolio and M&E Analyst to ensure accurate, thorough and useful monitoring and reporting of project activities and impacts, both internally and externally. This includes particularly close collaboration with the ISG Portfolio Managers and the area-based staff to ensure that data needed for monitoring are properly collected and reported.
• Coordinate and oversee monitoring of projects within ISG Portfolio, ensuring that they are timely and useful using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods and various participatory methodologies to monitor performance and evaluate impact.
• Coordinate with M&E Analyst for the commissioning and delivery of high-quality independent evaluations of ISG projects
• Coordinate with the project managers/projects coordinators to get their respective timely and adequate inputs.
• Inform ISG staff, primary stakeholders and implementing partners, as necessary, on project/programme design, monitoring and evaluation concepts, sense-making studies, skills and tools.

40

3. Identifying best practices, participation to PSC Meetings

• Identify and summarize good practices and lessons learned from the overall Project and deliver presentation to relevant coordination forum.
• Ensure that lessons learned from programme M&E to improve future programme decisions, design and implementation. This includes liaison with external organizations to identify and distribute good M&E practices.
• Participate in "Project Steering Committee" meetings as a focal point of ISG Portfolio and provide the representatives of the relevant members with M&E related inputs; make relevant presentation to the programme steering committee

10

4. Reporting

• Coordinate and prepare the overall reporting of ISG Portfolio, ensuring timely and quality submission of reports, ensuring that progress is highlighted, impact documented, gaps identified, and corrective measures recommended.
• Facilitating and assisting of Result Oriented Annual Report.
• Collaborate with M&E Analyst and integrated operations teams on the preparation of reports including, but not limited to donor reports; plans monitoring.
•  Provide feedback to the Project Manager on project strategies and activities.
• Contribute to the preparation of "RRF, M&E plan, risk log" sections in “Progress Reports” in projects under the "ISG" Portfolio.
•  Provide inputs, information and statistics for quarterly, annual and other reports to Project Management Team and UNDP.
• Liaise with the Portfolio Administrator for financial progress of the projects and ISG Portfolio Managers and the ARR (Programme) for programmatic issues in the production and submission of reports.
• Work Close collaboration with M&E Analyst of UNDP. CO Turkey to develop and contribute to the implementation of CO M&E Framework and corporate M&E requirements.
• Perform other duties as required;

20

Reporting Structure

The M&E Officer reports to the Portfolio Managers of ISG.

Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results

• The M&E system with the support of M&E Analyst is developed to ensure credible, reliable, timely and cost-effective monitoring data needed to inform ongoing management decisions, strategic planning, learning, and uphold accountability.
• SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) indicators supported by clear and concise indicator guidelines which define the data sources, data collection methods, frequency and audience are developed.
• Submission dates of Progress Reports to Donors are monitored on time, and inputs are provided for ISG
• Project Review meetings are held at least annually and on time
• Annual Project Quality Assurance is carried out to identify project strengths and weaknesses and to inform management decision making to improve projects.
• Independent Evaluations of ISG portfolio are coordinated with M&E Analyst
• Data collection processes and database systems are functional and updated on a regular basis.
• M&E results are communicated systematically to the management for informed decision making.
• Progress data against the results indicators in the Results and Resources Framework (RRF) of projects are collected and analyzed to assess the progress of the project in achieving the agreed outputs.
• Contributed to the  preparation of "RRF, M&E plan, risk log" sections in “Progress Reports” in projects under the "ISG" Portfolio,  Identify and monitor risk management actions using a risk log. This includes monitoring measures and plans that may have been required as per UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards.
• Knowledge, good practices and lessons are captured regularly, as well as actively sourced from other projects and partners and integrated back into the project.
• Review of data and evidence from all monitoring actions are undertaken to inform decision making.
• ATLAS entries of projects are updated regularly as per the frequency identified in the M&E frameworks of Project Documents.
• ISG inputs to Result-Oriented Annual Reporting (ROAR) are coordinated with M&E Analyst for high quality reporting of annual results.

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

The incumbent should possess the following qualifications and experience.

Minimum Requirements

Assets

General Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Statistics, Econometry, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related disciplines

or

• In the absence of master’s degree, Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Econometry, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related disciplines with additional 2 years of relevant professional experience.

• Advanced degree in Statistics, Sociology, Development Studies and Social Sciences

• Full proficiency in English and Turkish;

• Excellent command of office software, such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases and/or good knowledge of Research Methods.

• Proficiency in statistical software such as SPSS, PSPP etc.

Experience

Professional Experience and Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Statistics, Econometry, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related disciplines + 8 years of experience in the relevant area of expertise

or

Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Econometry, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related disciplines + 10 years of experience in the relevant area of expertise

Specific Experience and Qualifications

• At least 6 years of experience in the design and implementation of M&E in projects implemented by national/international NGOs / UN bodies/ Government

• Minimum 3 (three) years of experience with internationally funded development projects.
• Demonstrated experience in field work in the form of extended monitoring missions, verifications, on-site checks, use of qualitative and quantitative research methods in the field.   

Nationality

Turkish

Notes:

• Internships (paid/unpaid) are not considered professional experience.
• Obligatory military service is not considered professional experience.
• Professional experience gained in an international setting is considered international experience.
• Experience gained prior to completion of undergraduate studies is not considered professional experience.

The incumbent of the position should strictly avoid

• any kind of discriminatory and abusive behavior including gender-based discrimination 
• any kind form of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse 

The incumbent of the position should ensure that 

• human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
• activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
•  any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
•  differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
•  inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
• necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced;
• zero tolerance principle to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse is prioritized.

UNDP prioritizes gender equality and women's empowerment approach in all its actions, workplace relations and implementations as well as gender parity in representation to create a workplace which is equally inclusive of women, men and persons with other gender identities. Temporary special measures will be instituted to ensure appointment of personnel of under-represented genders at grades and in roles where they are under-represented

Other Considerations

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Duty Station: UNDP Premises, Ankara, Turkey (with frequent travels to projects’ sites)

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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Contract Duration: 12 months, possibility of renewal based on the satisfactory performance and availability of funding