Programme Specialist (M&E and Reporting), PREP - (DPF Post)

UNDP Somalia is comprised of three main programmes, Rule of Law and Security (ROLS), Poverty Reduction & Environment Protection (PREP), and Governance (GOV). PREP programme adopted the MDG-based development framework and monitoring system to target the most vulnerable groups to support and expand their livelihood opportunities. Concurrently, PREP promotes the creation of employment, mainly through green jobs such as climate adaption schemes through building disaster resilience for vulnerable communities, promote the energy sector, and though recycling and reforestation programmes. UNDP will carry out value chain analyses, promote public private partnerships, and enhance skills and capacities through vocational training, entrepreneurial skills development, and knowledge sharing, innovative financing schemes and business development. These initiatives cannot move forward without the establishment of a conducive environment and the compliance with UNDP corporate standards, policies and procedures for programme and financial management. The Country Office (CO) completed its Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2011-2015. A key priority of the CPD is to develop and support the country office, programmes, and projects in implementing a comprehensive M&E framework. Under the direct supervision of the Head of PREP Programme, the Programme Specialist will be responsible for the development of a PREP Programme M&E framework that is aligned with the CPD. In this regard, the Programme Specialist will ensure that the PREP activities are correctly formulated, implemented and reported through focus on strategic approaches and programmatic tools such as results based management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), communications, reporting, Atlas, and Prince2. The Programme Specialist will provide support to reporting to ensure that projects and all other reports produced under PREP are of high quality. The incumbent will also provide training to programme and project teams where necessary and support Sub Office staff to ensure the effective implementation of the M&E framework. The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the Partnerships and Planning Unit PPU) and programme teams in the CO. He/she will also liaise with UNDP’s M&E Office staff and local partners to ensure that project evaluations and audits are carried out according to schedules and that findings and recommendations are implemented and followed up.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions: Implementation of monitoring and evaluation policies and strategies Ensures effective management of the monitoring and evaluation process Ensure Effective Management of Audits and Risks Support effective reporting of the programme activities Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing on M&E Support quality assurance Support PREP Resource Mobilization activities Ensures the implementation of evaluation policies and strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results: Responsibility for planning, preparation, budgeting, reporting and oversight of project evaluations and other types of evaluations conducted under the PREP programme. Support tracking and reporting of donor resources towards outcomes. Responsibility for promotion of evaluation standards, quality assurance/control and capacity development within the PREP Unit. Ensures effective management of the monitoring and evaluation process for the PREP programme, focusing on achievement of the following results: Provision of technical advice for projects within the PREP portfolio, including setting up an M&E framework with defined indicators to facilitate evaluation at later stages. Provision of evaluation feedback into policy/programme/project design and ensure optimal use of evaluations by providing guidance in preparation of timely management response to all evaluations. In collaboration with the PPU, provide methodological support to various programme units during the formulation, approval and implementation of M&E procedures and instruments and select RBM tools, in particular related to monitoring. In collaboration with the PPU, carry out programme analysis, at outcome and sub outcome level, in order to capture lessons learned and ensure that risks are properly monitored and mitigated. Undertake regular field visits to ensure compliance and timely execution of the planned monitoring & evaluation by various programme and project units. Ensures effective management of audits and risks: In consultation with head of the management oversight unit, assess risk areas and work with project staff to minimize risk exposure levels. Prepare annual audit plan for projects and CO. Coordinate with senior management and PMSU, partners and counterparts regarding audit exercises of PREP activities. Monitor the implementation of previous audit recommendations of PREP activities. Ensure Effective reporting of Programme Activities focusing on the following areas: Ensures proper documentation of the experience of UNDP assistance through its projects. In this regard, prepares monthly, quarterly and annual project reports, publication serials and information/communication materials. Similarly, ensures use of UN and other web sites for dissemination of information. Provides thorough progress reporting and contributes to analysis of the achievements, facilitates project reviews, evaluation and audits. Ensures proper maintenance of sound filing system and appropriate use and recording of all UNDP experience, best practices, activities and results. The Monitoring and Reporting Specialist should be, with the CO communications officer, the first point of contact for local press inquiries, and should participate in planning a press relations strategy to ensure a wide dissemination of information concerning UNDP/ PREP objectives, the progress of its projects and their concrete outputs and achievements. He/ She shall ensure that full acknowledgement of the financing role of donors and UNDP is given in such information. In Collaboration with PPU ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of monitoring and evaluation, focusing on achievement of the following results: Orient and train staff in understanding and applying monitoring & evaluation policies, tools & methods, particularly at outcome level and in collaboration with PPU. Facilitate dissemination of best practices & advocate UNDP/PREP successful experiences in results-based monitoring & evaluation as well as substantive areas of expertise through global knowledge networks. Provide quality assurance in programme activities in the following areas: Support the development of systems to foster improvements in the application of internal control systems and in the maintenance of compliance standards in PREP programme. Advise project staff and implementing partners regarding control systems, assess their effectiveness and general operational compliance with UNDP rules, regulations and policies. In consultation with the PREP Programme Manager, assess work processes and PREP unit structure to ensure that tasks are carried out with maximum efficiency. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the PPU focusing on achievement of the following results: In collaboration with PPU, Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities. Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization. In collaboration with the PPU, draft a plan and strategy for resource mobilization in support of the achievement of the PREP objectives. Impact of Results: The M&E and Reporting Specialist post aims to have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of UNDP’s development interventions in the Poverty Reduction and Environment Protection Programme, and in support of the Country Programme strategy. Effective implementation of M&E policies and procedures, as well as efficient management of the M&E process will enhance the organization’s accountability, transparency, evidence base and learning for implementation of valuable programmes with sustainable outcomes.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work Results-Based Programme Development and Management Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation Building Strategic Partnerships Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignment Innovation and Marketing New Approaches Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations Documents successes and uses them to project a positive image Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations) Identifies and compiles lessons learned Promotes and encourages country office action with local missions of donor countries as well as appropriate government authorities for increased contribution to UNDP resources, including cost sharing modalities Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level Client Orientation Anticipates client needs Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective Core Competencies: Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents Building support and political acumen Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation Building and promoting effective teams Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication Creating an emotionally intelligent organization Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member. Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking Prince 2 training and certification

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced university degree (Masters Level) in Social Sciences, International Development, International Relations or related field. Experience: 5 years professional progressive work experience in monitoring and evaluation, project management, social research etc. Field experience is required, preferably in conflict / post conflict environments. Substantive knowledge of development issues in general and UNDP’s practice areas desirable. Strong knowledge of monitoring and evaluation tools is required, in particular results based management. Experience in the development and implementation of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Experience in developing and facilitating participatory, competency based trainings. Experience in usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web based management systems. Knowledge of Results Management Guide of UNDP and Prince2 is an asset. Experience in UNDP monitoring and evaluation an asset. Language Requirements: Strong written and spoken English skills.

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Programme Specialist (M&E and Reporting), PREP - (DPF Post)