National Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Expert

​Requisition ID: 4544 
Grade: SB4 - Local Professional (Junior & Mid Level) 
Country: Moldova, Republic of 
Duty Station: Chisinau 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 1 year (with the possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 26-Sep-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)  

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI).

This position is located under the MSME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/MDJ) which supports micro, small and medium manufacturing enterprises (MSMEs) in Member States to take advantage of new technologies, business and organizational support, investment promotion, cluster development and partnerships to improve their businesses for advancing the overall economic competitiveness.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Project SAP ID 220009: Improving the standards compliance through increased national capacities for residue monitoring (Joint financing EU/UNIDO).

The overall objective of this Action is to enhance national consumer safety and access to safe, healthy and nutritious food and to improve trade opportunities and create a conducive business environment for SMEs, thus contributing to resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic development as well as paving the way to a fully-fledged Green Deal for the Republic of Moldova.

The specific objective of the Action is to increase national capacities for residue monitoring in animal feed and products of animal origin (pesticides, veterinary medicine, contaminants and prohibited substances).

The Action will pursue three technical Outcomes, thus responding to the limited capacity for residues monitoring and the main compliance challenges identified in the Republic of Moldova:

Outcome 1: Improved practices of competent authorities (ANSA and MAFI) through strengthened institutional and analytical capacities, revamped legal and regulatory framework and effective enforcement of official control at central and regional levels

Institutional strengthening of the ANSA and MAFI through capacity building, use of best practices, skills development, and implementation of management systems.

Outcome 2: Improved practices of public and private laboratories through expanded testing capacities, demonstrating proof of compliance.

Strengthening both the public, national reference, and private laboratories through capacity building, use of best practices, skills development, procurement of additional laboratory equipment and implementation of management systems, accreditation, and validation of methods to ensure quality and international recognition of their services with a focus on pesticide and veterinary drug residues.

Outcome 3: SMEs and FBOs application of best practices enhanced, quality awareness raised and culture for quality among producers, consumers and support institutions promoted in the value chains of meat, poultry and milk products.

Improving compliance capacity and awareness through specialised training and capacity building for SMEs and FBOs and awareness-raising activities to introduce a consumption pattern, which prioritizes purchasing and consumption of quality products.

This Action is proposed in line with the European Green Deal and the Farm2Fork strategy and will directly contribute to the EU’s Annual Action Plan for 2021, in particular: Output 1.3: National capacities for residues monitoring in agri-food products increased.

The Action will contribute to the accomplishment of the 2nd General Objective of the National Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy (SNDAR) 2023-2030 “Development of the food industry and diversification of markets”, and the Food Security Strategy of the Republic of Moldova for 2023-2030.

The Action will promote SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production through its contribution to UNIDO Country Programme for Moldova 2019 – 2024 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) of the Republic of Moldova 2023-2027.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

National Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Expert works under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator and in close cooperation with the project team in the field and HQ. National MEAL Expert is responsible for developing a comprehensive MEAL system enabling the project to demonstrate the impact of its response ensuring greater accountability. National MEAL Expert ensures data quality management and data analysis, development and use of different qualitative and quantitative methods, knowledge management, capacity building and training, e.g. (M&E framework design and planning, data collection and management, accountability, evaluation, learning). S/he will also contribute to building a constructive learning environment at all project levels, promoting good practices and key recommendations for ensuring sustainability, lessons learned and ideas for future interventions. National MEAL Expert reports directly to the Project Manager for all administrative issues.

A detailed description of the proposed assignment is provided below:

Main activities

1. Design and periodically update the project M&E system to ensure monitoring, including:

• evaluating the needs of the project in terms of monitoring systems, data collection and reporting;
• harmonizing project, UNIDO’s and EU’s M&E requirements, KPIs and targets;
• developing a comprehensive M&E plan, including adequate disaggregation by sex, data collection tools, systems and methodology, and templates for reporting, including data visualization software (such as MS Excel or PowerBI).

      2. Ensure the implementation of the M&E plan and framework, including:

• monitoring project M&E plan with continuous updates of project indicators, including through the use of data visualization software/tools;
• supporting the project team in planning and implementing project reviews and producing reports for capacity-building and awareness-raising activities.

      3. Build the capacity of the project team, experts and contractors on the data collection tools, methodology, reporting, etc., to ensure that M&E tools and processes, accountability and learning initiatives are understood, properly.

      4. Ensure the establishment and promotion of a learning environment, promote good practices and produce analysis, including supporting:

• development of relevant learning and accountability initiatives for the project in line with UNIDO rules and regulations;
• development of case studies, lessons learned, etc.;
• linking M&E data with learning by contributing to the development and implementation of learning agendas, reflection workshops and other learning opportunities and products to effectively inform adaptive measures and evidence-based programming.

      5. Reporting and Documentation (for example, regular reports on MEAL activities)

      6. Contingency (As requested by Project Manager)

      7. Prepare and submit for approval to the Project Manager a final report.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core values:
WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key competencies:
WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in political or social science, international development, international relations, law, business administration, economics or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least three (3) years of work experience in M&E framework design and implementation for the technical cooperation project is required.
• Experience in design, monitoring and results reporting for EU-funded projects, including through OPSYS, is required.
• Experience with and knowledge of data analysis and visualization software is desirable.
• Experience with and knowledge of gender mainstreaming and collecting and formulating gender-responsive indicators and sex-disaggregated data, is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Romanian is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly Russian, is desirable.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org