Back Monitoring & Evaluate Specialist

The Capacity Development for Local Government (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country. These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank. The Government of Sri Lanka will implement the Local Development Support Project (LDSP) in four provinces – North, North Central, Eastern, and Uva – to strengthen local service delivery and local economic infrastructure and enhance bottom-up approaches to support public engagement in local decision-making processes, including through participatory planning and feedback mechanisms for service delivery. Specifically, LDSP will focus on developing Local Area Participatory Development Plans (LAPDP) at the LA level, based on aggregated plans from the ward level, and synergized with sector plans of ministries.
The overall objective of the CDLG project is to strengthen the capacities of LAs to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable and be able to plan, enhance resilience, and deliver better services. The capacity development support, coupled with the fiscal support (through Basic Transfers and Performance Transfers provided through LDSP project) for inclusive service delivery and economic investment, is aimed at strengthening the role of elected representatives at the local level. It is about improving local governance systems and making local governments “fit for future”, as well as increase downward accountability of elected officials and local governments. The project also aims to strengthening mechanisms for public engagement in local decision-making processes.
CDLG’s capacity development approach is informed by a body of knowledge and practice known as 70-20-10, where 70 percent of the capacity development support is through learning by doing, 20 percent is through feedback and guidance from mentors, and 10 percent is through formal trainings.
This emphasis on “learning by doing” facilitates local councillors and administrators to not only learn about systems and processes in their work-place, but also supports local innovation (i.e. increase local capabilities) to improve efficiency and be more flexible and responsive to changes.  
CDLG project will focus on introducing new ways of learning that facilitate local authorities to improve their technical capacities but also focus on nudging behavioural change that would result in strengthening institutionalization of innovative and participatory processes and collaborative engagement in developing local solutions to address development challenges.

Post Context

In this context and under the direct supervision of the Project Manager- CDLG and guidance of the Portfolio Manager-SDG 16 and the M&E and Knowledge Management Specialist  the M&E Specialist - CDLG will be responsible for ensuring regular monitoring and reporting on the progress of the implementation of the project and supporting the implementation of the project activities by undertaking research and analysis of relevant data and information to fulfil the Monitoring and Evaluation requirements of the CDLG Project in line with donor as well as UNDP corporate requirements.


 

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Lead the formulation and roll out of the project’s M&E plans in line with the broader results framework and programme objectives of the CDLG project.
• Ensure that all project indicators are tracked in a database on a regular basis, using the stipulated baselines, means of verifications and data sources in the project results framework.
• Design, pilot and roll out simplified/innovative tools to support the project monitoring process.
• Work closely with Project teams and partners to strengthen systems for qualitative data gathering and analysis.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of information collected and carry out regular verification of reported information for accuracy.
• Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of results-based project monitoring.
• Support to ensure that proper field level context, gender, conflict and risk analyses are conducted, as necessary.
• Support for reviewing the M&E strengths and weaknesses of implementing partners and devising means for improvement.
• Lead and/ or support evaluations (where relevant), including using innovative evaluation methodologies/ practices, working in close consultation M&E and KM Specialist and relevant Portfolio and project managers.
• Lead and/or Support in identifying innovative methods to carry out assessments

Data Management and dissemination

• Maintain a data-base for the data management and analyse the trends of data to disseminate with stakeholders and partners to take necessary actions.
• Provide timely support to the project implementing staff to collect and verify accurate data for the project.
• Provide feedbacks on the data trends to the project for the improvement and/ or to make course corrections of the project.
• Support Learning and Knowledge Management Specialist and Reporting and Communications Specialist by providing relevant accurate data and sources to produce policy briefs and other knowledge products.

 
Communication and Reporting

• Compile project and field-based data and analytical information for the preparation of donor reports
• Prepare project data/information required for UNDP’s corporate reporting requirements such as Results Oriented Annual Report, Integrated Work Plan updates, etc as required
• Develop visual presentations aids of data trends and/or results for incorporation into reports, knowledge and/or outreach products.
• Support in developing dissemination products based out of studies and assessments conducted

Competencies and Selection Criteria

Description of Competency at Level Required

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work, and openness to the use of new technologies to improve local governance systems

Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Gender

Level 4: Ability to mainstream gender sensitivities into all aspects of monitoring/evaluation of the project.

Technical/Functional

Monitoring and Evaluation

Knowledge and expertise in results-based monitoring and evaluations. Ability to use both quantitative as well as qualitative data/information collection and dissemination tools and use in innovative ways. Ability to identify monitoring and evaluation related risks and opportunities and provide timely feedback to rectify/fill the gaps

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Local governance       

Knowledge and expertise in democratic governance, and local governance and local development issues in Sri Lanka

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Participatory Processes

Expertise in facilitating engagement and collaborating with different stakeholders on data gathering, management and dissemination including addressing multi-dimensional challenges.

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Education

• Master’s Degree in the areas of Statistics, Social Sciences, Business, Public Administration or Economics

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in the areas of Statistics, Social Sciences, Business or Public Administration or Economics with 03 years of relevant work experience

Experience

• Experience in leading M&E and capacity development programmes in large institutions, preferably public sector institutions.
• Experience with the logical framework approach and other strategic planning approaches
• Planning and implementation of results-based M&E systems, quantitative and qualitative M&E methods and approaches, usage of M&E tools, information analysis and report writing.
• Clear experience working at project level in diverse geographic locations in a M&E capacity, handling primary data collection firsthand.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in the UN System is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil with strong English Communication skills. Tri-lingual candidates will be at an advantage.  

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: One (1) year with possibility of extension