Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, P3, Niamey, Niger #130934 (Temporary Appointment: 364 days)

The Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist is a member of the FCSE Management Unit reporting to a Head of Unit/Coordinator of the Education Sector Common Fund. The role is the responsibility of the FCSE Field Unit Coordinator for supervision. The Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the FCSE by implementing a variety of technical and administrative tasks to assist with the planning, implementation, execution monitoring planning and reporting of the evaluation process to ensure that evaluations are completed in accordance with the planned timeline and that the results and recommendations are implemented and monitored.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Results.

UNICEF's core mission is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does – in its programmes, advocacy and operations. The equity strategy, which focuses on the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have the opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, free from discrimination, bias and favouritism. To the extent that a child does not have the same opportunities in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — his or her rights are violated. It is increasingly clear that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens – by addressing inequality – will not only give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential, but will also lead to sustained growth and stability in countries. This is why the focus on equity is so important. It accelerates progress towards the realization of the human rights of all children, which is UNICEF's universal mandate, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF, in its capacity as GPE's grant agent and coordinator of the education sector pool, has set up a management unit whose main role is to coordinate the implementation mechanisms of the pooled fund, reduce fiduciary risks and report to all partners of the pooled fund on the performance of the fund according to the mechanisms and procedures of the Procedures Manual.  the priorities defined in the partnership framework and the objectives assigned in the programme document.

The education sector common fund is a multi-partner support to Niger backed by the country's Finance Laws, implemented by the Government and governed by a manual of procedures inspired by national systems.

UNICEF's role is to coordinate support from partners, facilitate the use of authorized procedures, monitor the appropriate and effective use of resources made available and report on results achieved in the field for the benefit of the Nigerien learner.

The mission of the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist is to support the FCSE Coordinator and the Ministries in charge of the education sector, to coordinate the reviews by the TFPs of the PAAB, to coordinate the development of periodic reports to the partners of the common fund and to the GPE and to monitor the implementation in the field as well as to coordinate closely with CAMOS and the technical assistance cell for the periodic meetings of the GPLE, the Technical Committee and the Steering Committee.

How can you make a difference? 

The Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist is a member of the FCSE Management Unit reporting to a Head of Unit/Coordinator of the Education Sector Common Fund. The role is the responsibility of the FCSE Field Unit Coordinator for supervision. The Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the FCSE by implementing a variety of technical and administrative tasks to assist with the planning, implementation, execution monitoring planning and reporting of the evaluation process to ensure that evaluations are completed in accordance with the planned timeline and that the results and recommendations are implemented and monitored.

Main responsibilities:

Establish standards for planning and monitoring program performance

• Provide the necessary technical support to the review and approval process of Annual Budgeted Action Plans by all contributors to the FCSE, including reporting on the progress of the equity and gender marker as outlined in the Partnership Pact and the Programme Document. 
• Provide technical support as needed in the organization and management of annual/mid-year/mid-term/end-of-term program reviews ensuring consistency with the objectives and goals set out in the program document and the partnership framework and the FCSE Procedures Manual. 
• Monitor underperforming conventions and help develop adequate solutions to consolidate performance. 
• Support sectoral ministries in collaboration with the Technical Assistance Mechanism and CAMOS to effectively monitor and report on the results of the sector program to facilitate program coherence and convergence, as appropriate.

Supporting the implementation of evaluations

• Draft and/or develop terms of reference for external consultants and initiate the recruitment process to ensure timely selection and recruitment of assessors. Manage the various evaluation and/or selection processes of the consulting and evaluation teams to facilitate the recruitment/selection process
• Organize the necessary documents, briefings and administrative arrangements to ensure that external consultants receive appropriate and complete information to effectively and efficiently initiate and continue the conduct of evaluations.
• Keep abreast of evaluation progress to proactively respond to evaluators' information needs or other related issues to ensure delivery of results as planned and allocated.

Building Networks and Partnerships

• Provide technical and operational support to a wide range of stakeholders and evaluators on UNICEF and UNEG policies, practices, standards and norms.
• Build and maintain close and effective working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through the active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate evaluation and strengthen their capacities for evaluation planning and implementation.
• Participate in appropriate sector meetings/events on evaluations to collaborate with ministry and CAMOS partners/colleagues on FCSE operational planning and readiness.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned from evaluations to integrate them into broader knowledge development planning and management efforts.
• Research and report on leading best practices in planning, the development of knowledge products and evaluation systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to improve the skills of clients/stakeholders.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced University Degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics, Planning Development, International Development Studies, Law.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the field of analysis of education systems in developing countries.
• Experience in writing analyses on the quality of learning or training-to-work issues for post-primary levels.
• Proven skills in terms of training in the analysis of educational policies, in particular in the fields of learning assessment or education/training policies related to employment.
• Proven oral presentation skills on issues of educational policy analysis for a wide range of different audiences.
• Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, leads and manages people (1)
• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.