Monitoring Specialist (TFMU)

UNDP has administered the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) and supported the payment of salaries of Afghan National Police (ANP) personnel, the institutional development of the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOIA) and police professionalization of the ANP since 2002. Based on consultations conducted in 2017, a growing view emerged that the scope of LOTFA should be expanded to include the entire justice chain (police, courts and corrections) and cover all institutions across the entire Rule of Law sector, with an increased focus on anti-corruption.  Accordingly, the LOTFA Steering Committee approved a new Trust Fund Terms of Reference (TOR) with four Thematic Windows: 1) Security; 2) Justice; 3) Anti-Corruption and 4) MOIA Payroll.

New project(s) are currently being designed and developed in alignment with the national strategies, plans and policies and with the Fund’s Strategic Framework. The new projects are intended to provide justice chain related advisory and institutional support to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The new Trust Fund Terms of Reference (TOR) and Strategic Framework specifically emphasize on the establishment of a robust M&E Framework for LOTFA. M&E sits at the heart of LOTFA. LOTFA is building a compelling evidence base about what works and what doesn’t in Afghanistan’s law and justice sector so that it can confidently plan and implement initiatives that bring greatest impact to the lives of Afghan citizens. LOTFA is rolling out a comprehensive M&E approach: M&E will be part of all project designs through to implementation and wrap-up and will provide real time information flow and feedback to support a flexible, adaptive management approach and an evidenced-based understanding of LOTFA outputs and impact.

The improved M&E system will enable LOTFA stakeholders, donors and national institutions to make informed decisions on the direction of future Trust Fund planning and programming.  It will enable the use of evidence-based adaptive management alongside traditional methods so that it meets the requirements for local solutions that respond to local needs.

Under the direct supervision of the M&E Advisor, the Monitoring Specialist will provide technical assistance and advice on establishing a bespoke M&E system for LOTFA along with other Monitoring and Evaluation specialists and experts, focusing specifically on the “data” side of the new M&E system.

The Monitoring Specialist will work closely with a wide range of LOTFA’s teams and consultants as well as its external stakeholders, donors and partners. S/he will advise the LOTFA teams and managers on various aspects of the monitoring and evaluation, research and data analysis for evidence-based decisions and successful projects implementation.

Summary of key functions:

1. Support LOTFA in establishing a robust and innovative Monitoring and Evaluation  System across all thematic windows (Security, Justice, Anti-Corruption, Payroll)
2. Implementation and Coordination of Monitoring Function for LOTFA
3. Data Analysis from Monitoring Activities
4. Knowledge Management

Specifically, the Monitoring Specialist will be responsible for achieving following results.

1) Support LOTFA in establishing the Monitoring and Evaluation System for all thematic windows (Security, Justice, Anti-Corruption, Payroll

• ​Design and develop robust Monitoring Strategies for LOTFA (incl. new innovative monitoring standards, quality assurance/ control approaches and new M&E capacity development approached);
• Suggest and align UNDP monitoring policies, procedures and practices for LOTFA’s needs;
• Track incoming routine monitoring data and ensure its utilization for evidence-based day-to-day management purposes within LOTFA’s thematic window projects;
• Manage and coordinate the overall monitoring function across the Fund;
• Liaise with donors and think tanks on monitoring related matters;
• Liaise regularly with UNDP Country office M&E team.

2)  Implementation and Coordination of Monitoring Function for LOTFA

• Support LOTFA managers and project staff in conducting monitoring activities, gathering routine data for day-to-day management decisions and oversight;
• Prepare and where necessary, advise on development of monitoring plans together with LOTFA thematic window and project teams;
• Support LOTFA thematic windows in formulating results frameworks and indicators;
• Support LOTFA M&E team in conducting various assessments, surveys for informed and evidence-based decision making
• Identify and formulate lessons learned from monitoring, routine data collection, short-term assessments;
• Provide technical advice at the design stage of programmes/projects setting up a framework with defined indicators.

3) Data Analysis from Monitoring Activities

• Support LOTFA in applying real time data analysis derived from monitoring activities;
• Support LOTFA in introducing new innovative data collection approaches, tools and systems focused on routine monitoring and tracking projects’ progress;
• Support strengthening and capacity building of local data collection and analysis institutions in the country and in the partner line ministries (MoIA, MoJ etc.)

4) Knowledge Management

• Identify and formulate lessons learned from monitoring activities;
• Support the implementation of a knowledge management and learning strategy;
• Set-up collaboration and coordination mechanism with other UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations on monitoring issues;
• Organize and conduct monitoring related trainings in the Country Office;
• Work in close conjunction with the Technical Specialist Research & Evaluation.

Monitoring and Evaluation 

Knowledge of methodologies, tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations

Strategic Planning 

Ability to make decisions that align with strategy and vision

Results Based Management 

Ability to synthesize monitoring data and make changes throughout the life of the programme or project

Development Planning 

Knowledge of development planning processes at macro and sectoral levels and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Data Measurement 

Ability to set goals and indicators and to interpret and synthesize results into usable information to inform policy, strategy, and/or action

Partnerships 

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

Relationship Management 

Ability to engage with other parties and forge productive working relationships

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Business Administration, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Economics, Law or related field or Bachelor’s Degree and 2 additional years of related technical experience.
• Practical training in programme management and evaluation (including Results Based Management), survey and research analysis, or applied statistical data would be an advantage.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience or 7 years with bachelor’s degree in international development at national and international levels.
• Experience in monitoring complex projects and programmes
• Experience in working on Results Based Management, including effective planning, monitoring and reporting of results essential
• Experience in delivering and facilitating innovative approaches and solutions to development programming would be an advantage
• Experience of working with UNDP, UN agency, or international organization with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of the project cycle including M&E would be an advantage
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills
• Strong ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS 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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