Vacancy #: 7112 Unit: ESARO - Coastal and Ocean Programme Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya Reporting to: Deputy Regional Head–Delivery and Operations - COR, Nairobi Work percentage: 100% Grade: P1 Expected start date: 01 March 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (26 months) Closing date: 06 February 2025 BACKGROUND THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION
BACKGROUND:
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together. Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,300 Member organisations and some 10,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous people’s organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development. Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) operates in twenty-four countries in the Horn of Africa, East Africa, southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. ESARO’s Programme focuses on biodiversity conservation through a diverse portfolio of projects and programmatic initiatives ranging from activities at the level of individual protected areas to shaping regional policy on biodiversity conservation. ESARO defines and delivers on its programmatic priorities in collaboration with IUCN members, commissions and other strategic partners.
The Coastal and Ocean Resilience (COR) Programme is responsible for marine and coastal issues, including biodiversity conservation, development and management of marine protected areas, other effective conservation measures (OECMs) and their networks, blue economy, ecosystem and fisheries management, High Seas, blue carbon, marine spatial planning, marine pollution, integrated management and governance of coastal areas, adaptation to climate change and disasters risks reduction.
In order to accelerate and scale up efforts in the region towards coastal and ocean resilience, IUCN has been coordinating efforts, together with countries and partners, in developing the Great Blue Wall initiative. The Great Blue Wall is a Western Indian Ocean (WIO)-born, Africa-driven roadmap to achieve a nature positive world by 2030. It aims at unlocking unprecedented nature-based recovery efforts through the establishment of a transformational movement. Its goal is to dramatically accelerate and upscale ocean conservation actions while enhancing socio-ecological resilience and the development of a regenerative blue economy by catalyzing political leadership and financial support. JOB DESCRIPTION MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
As the lead for monitoring, evaluation and learning work for the Coastal and Ocean Resilience thematic area, this position has overall responsibility for the monitoring, evaluation and programme learning functions and the quality of MEL outputs in the COR portfolio. In addition, S/He will contribute to steering the performance and assurance of the COR portfolio of projects implemented in the WIO region and contributing to ensuring quality in the design and development of the portfolio.
S/He will also lead the implementation of IUCN’s MEL policies, practices and systems. As the COR focal point for the MEL function, this position is expected to liaise with the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Unit to collaboratively build the MEL capabilities to COR team and partners.
This position provides subject matter expertise in MEL to support COR programme and projects implemented in the WIO region. S/He will contribute to the management of project evaluations. This position will report directly to the Deputy Regional Head, Delivery and Operations and with functional/matrix reporting to the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Manager.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Head, Delivery and Operations, the Impact Officer- COR will work closely with the COR team to track the progress of COR programmes based on performance indicators of the program. S/He will collect and analyze the data required for monitoring and evaluation purposes by leading, coordinating and ensure effective and efficient monitoring, evaluation, learning and risk management functions in the COR programme, specifically:
Planning, monitoring and reporting;
Coordinate COR input from projects managers to ESARO Annual Cycle of planning, monitoring and reporting (reports include progress reports, country quarterly, semi-annual or annual reports; reginal offices reports).
Develop and implement Regional COR performance measurement framework, aligned to ESARO performance/results framework.
Guide the identification and designing of performance questions, key indicators and targets for each program component.
Coordinate and oversee the preparation of ToR and implementation of outcome surveys at country level, other relevant surveys, special studies and research efforts, providing overall technical guidance and supervision of organizations that are sub-contracted to implement special surveys or studies required for evaluating program effects and impacts.
Determine information needs of the portfolios, grantees and other key stakeholders.
Identify and design data collection and reporting systems and structures and set procedures to ensure data quality.
Identify and develop mitigating actions for the MEL plan risks and problems.
Support program teams to establish professional linkages with development partners, resource centers and institutions in monitoring and impact evaluation.
Contribute to the development and implementation of regional performance criteria to steer a strategic and effective portfolio.
Track, monitor and evaluate COR projects portfolio implementation in the IUCN Programme and Project Portal and through any tools used in the country/region.
Evaluation and learning;
Evaluates the COR program metrics to ensure contribution to organizational effectiveness.
Develop and ensure adequacy of COR evaluation framework in consultation with the Regional M&E Manager and maintain the register of evaluations and management responses.
Coordinate and implement the review and analysis of the performance of project partners using agreed upon indicators and targets to measure progress, and make recommendations for improvement to partners, and to management.
Support project and programme evaluations and reviews, including advice on evaluation ToRs, advise on and provide evaluation management in alignment with IUCN guidance on evaluations and reviews, ensure projects comply with the IUCN Monitoring and Evaluation Policy requirements for evaluation.
Facilitate learning across the portfolio by applying international best practices to enable adaptive management and organizational learning and participating in regional exchanges.
Support resource mobilization efforts for MEL through the provision of subject-matter expertise on MEL requirements, and by ensuring projects are designed with performance frameworks, meet ESMS standards, and budget appropriately for MEL staff time and activities (implementation of the project costing framework).
Guide the identification and design of performance questions, key indicators and targets for each program component.
Institutionalization of MEL Tools and Standards;
In collaboration with the Regional Monitoring & Evaluation Unit, implement IUCN’s MEL policies, practices and systems, specifically:
Institutional annual cycle planning, monitoring and reporting requirement
Project Guidelines and Standards (PGS), including Project Appraisal and Approval System (PAAS)
Programme and Project Portal (project data forms and project workflows that control project status)
Enterprise Risks Management Policy and internal control framework
Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS): contribute to ESMS quality assurance, supported by the Regional ESMS Specialist at ESARO.
Guide COR project leads implementation of policies and standards for MEL, ensuring policy understanding and providing a control and quality assurance role.
As the subject matter expert and the focal point, provide capacity building briefing and coaching to internal COR (IUCN) and external (partners) staff to effectively implement the MEL policies, practices, and tools.
Provide project assurance through managing evaluations for COR projects including facilitating appropriate feedback on draft reports, compliance with the IUCN M&E Policy, and facilitating the preparation of management responses; and leading and participate in project supervision missions.
Advocate for and facilitate the proactive use of MEL information in decision-making and adaptive management across the COR portfolio.
Share lessons, provide advice, raise issues, and identify current or emerging risks to the implementation of the policies and controls
Supervise and build capacity for COR project MEL officers.
Other duties;
Follow up on implementation of audit and evaluation recommendations; ensure the optimal use of evaluation findings by providing guidance and a clear dissemination plan.
Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the direct and functional/matrix line managers. REQUIREMENTS • POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education;
Master’s degree in environmental studies, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, or statistics and data science.
Work Experience;
At least 7 years of experience in programme and project performance management and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL).
Proven experience with the implementation of institutional performance and assurance approaches and systems.
Knowledge of the application of environmental and social safeguards, working experience in this area a plus.
Demonstrated experience in results measurement methods and management in conservation, development or other relevant sectors.
Demonstrated experience designing, implementing and managing complex, multi-partner and multi-sectors projects in conservation, development or other relevant sectors.
Excellent organization and communication skills with a proven ability to engage across levels of an organization and across geographies.
Experience with change management and the people skills to build a culture of accountability and learning.
Excellent group facilitation skills and experience with the application of monitoring and evaluation methodologies
Ability to deliver analytical reports to facilitate management decision-making.
Proficiency in data management and analysis, with strong statistical skills highly desirable
Proficiency with statistical and data management software and tools, project management software or tools.
Experience with institutional knowledge management and learning is an asset.
Capacity to work collaboratively within a diverse team.
Language Proficiency ;
Fluency in English is a requirement and working proficiency in French language is desirable.
Core Competencies;
Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner, provides clear guidance to ensure that members of the team understand objectives and desired measurable results.
Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provides a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach
Functional competencies;
Strong analytical and research skills; ability to see patterns in data and understand the cause and effect.
Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; and office technology equipment.
Excellent knowledge of statistics and research methodology including sampling techniques and use of statistical applications such as SPSS, SAS, or STATA; advanced Excel skills with the ability to create excel based tools using complex formulas, pivot tables, create graphs etc. experience in Remote Sensing and GIS is a plus.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with the ability to work effectively within multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to collaborate well with the teams, including those working at remote locations, while also taking initiative to complete assigned tasks with high competence.
Capacity to produce high-quality briefs and reports.
Detail-oriented, flexible and hardworking.
Creative, engaging, full of initiative, resourceful.
Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
Demonstrable good understanding of the nature conservation seascape, challenges, opportunities and priorities in the WIO region.
Experience with mainstreaming gender indicators into M&E plans and frameworks will be an added advantage. APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the \"Apply\" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
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