Monitoring/Evaluation Analyst

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBLAC) in collaboration with the UNDP Caribbean network of offices – Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Barbados and the OECS undertook the formulation of a first Caribbean-wide Human Development Report (CHDR) on Citizens’ Security. Using Global UNDP HDR processes, analysis and methodologies, the Caribbean HDR reviewed crime and security in the Caribbean with data analysis and information from a human development perspective. The report defines short and medium term  policy recommendations  based on the social aspects of  security which impact on citizen safety, youth violence, education, unemployment and inequality, inclusive economic growth, migration, and drug use and alcohol abuse.  One of the primary recommendations from the report is the urgent need for the region to shift from traditional concepts of state security to a broader multidimensional concept that focuses on citizen security and safety and wellbeing of Caribbean citizens.   

While the CHDR victimization survey points to high levels of fear of violent crime amongst citizens and the failing of existing policies and approaches, stimulating robust public discourse on the topic presented a challenge. Given the region’s dependency on tourism as its main foreign exchange earner, enlisting the full and unconditional support of regional parliamentarians on the matter of facilitating rigorous public debate is critical. Reliable crime statistics are critical for measuring changes in crime levels, monitoring of national and regional responses, developing and evaluating effectiveness of citizen security policies, supporting the analysis and understanding of national and regional crime trends. Collection and organization of data into a statistical form is required to produce valuable information for use in decision-making and to allow for comparison of crime statistics across time and between countries. Lack of reliable and comparable national, sub-regional and regional statistics makes it difficult to fully comprehend the impact of crime and violence, and to inform the citizen security policies and strategies needed to effectively respond to these challenges.

An assessment of youth, insecurity and juvenile justice systems, conducted by USAID/ESC in the Caribbean point at the lack of standardized data on crime and violence and their drivers. Raw data is available in different forms and at different stages of the criminal justice process due to the diversity of entities that generate security statistics, the absence of clear guidelines, and weak inter-institutional coordination and information sharing.

National consultations and assessments conducted by UNDP in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean point at four interrelated key problems: 1. Deficient evidence-based citizen security policies due to 2. Lack of reliable and comparable national and regional statistics, 3. Weak coordination at national, sub-regional and regional levels, and, 4. Weak institutional and CSO capacities. 4) The importance of up-to-date data inform prevention programme design, monitoring and evaluation.  

The data gaps resulting from these challenges are further aggravated by different definitions of security concepts, non-standardized indicators and inconsistent use of information; dispersion of information and a multiplicity of information sources; sporadic initiatives in the area of information management; lack of unified technical criteria and permanent technical capacities within the national and regional institutions; absence or lack of understanding of a preventive focus in information management; low citizen participation in discussions on citizen security; and absence of mechanisms and capacities to mainstream gender into the analysis and management of citizen security related information and public policies.

Based on this, UNDP seeks  to work with countries in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago to improve institutional capacity for evidenced based decision making on youth crime and violence policy making and programming.  The focus of this project will be in improving data collection, analysis and use of data for decision making on youth crime policy making and programming.  The project intends to achieve two components: 1) improving the quality, comparability and reliability of data and information and youth crime and violence; 2) and regional collaboration and networking on youth crime and violence strengthened. These components will be achieved by improving regional and national institutional capacity to collect, monitor, and analyse citizen security and apply it to decision-making and policy formulation at both levels.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Team Leader, the Regional Monitoring & Evaluation Officer will work in close collaboration with national implementation units and UNDP Country Offices (CO) in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago to ensure the effective monitoring and evaluation of the project is met. The incumbent performs quality assurance functions to ensure the quality and compliance of the programme with UNDP and the project donor’s rules and procedures for efficient and effective programme management. He/she will coordinate and manage the effective implementation of UNDP’s M&E policy and ensures that minimum M&E requirements for the project are met. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the other members of the project team based in the UNDP Barbados and OECS project team and in the national implementation unit, UNDP Evaluation office staff in the Panama Regional Service Hub and Headquarters to ensure project implementation and project evaluation is carried out according to schedules and that findings and recommendations are implemented and followed up.

Summary of Key Functions:

The Regional M&E Officer will liaise with the Regional Team Leader and project team regarding M&E approaches and methodologies, ensuring that the project meets the UNDP corporate requirements for M&E, including the conduct of mandatory project evaluations;

Directly responsible and accountable for the implementation of evaluation policies and strategies as well as producing the project monitoring and evaluation reports on a regular basis.

Manage and coordinate the implementation of evaluation policies and strategies

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing on monitoring and evaluation

Develop the capacity of the implementing and responsible parties to monitor project baselines and indicators as specified in the project document.


Supports effective management of the project implementation and evaluation process in the Country Office and national implementation  units, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Oversee all aspects of the performance measurement support for the project. Ensure that all project staff has a clear understanding of the results framework including definitions;

Develop and update the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) and performance indicators.

Provide training to project staff on the PMP, the performance indicators, and how to collect the needed data from the partners

Coordinate and support Results Based Management (RBM) and M&E based programme and project formulation including annual work-planning and reporting exercises in line with UNDP and USAID requirements;,

Maintain, coordinate and ensure compliance of the project setup and in ATLAS and other corporate systems (such as Integrated Workplan, Quarterly Programme Reviews, Results-oriented Annual Reporting, Programme Dashboard) and provide accurate and timely input information into these systems as required;

Establish and manage internal systems for effective and efficient programme and project monitoring and reporting;

Establish effective mechanisms for monitoring the project implementation;

Ensure that project annual work plans are set up in line with the project document; monitor on a regular basis national project activities including annual and quarterly reports, ongoing monitoring of overall financial status of regional programming;

Provide technical advice and support at the design stage of programmes/projects to facilitate monitoring during programme implementation;

Provide technical advice at the design stage of programmes/projects to facilitate monitoring during programme implementation;

Manage and monitor the ATLAS project management module and related tools; all ATLAS attributes are created accordingly and maintained regularly;

Coordination and management of audit strategies and processes; follow up on implementation of recommendations, ensuring the optimal use of audits by providing guidance in preparation of timely management response;

Facilitate developing project monitoring and evaluation tools and techniques for the project as the Results and Resources Framework (RRF);

Develop project monitoring tool and ensure collection of the project monitoring data on a regular basis; if needed train local project staff on data collection, processing and transmission in collaboration with Data Management Specialist

Produce quarterly and annual M&E reports on the project activities and disseminate to key stakeholders, including but not limited to UNDP, USAID, national ministries and regional institutions or as guided by Project Team Leader;

Collect, synthesize, and interpret M&E data for USAID reporting requirements

Prepare regular progress reports on activities undertaken, results achieved against targets and plan for follow up actions; and where necessary, collaborate with Project Team Leader and project staff on production of regular narrative reports to the project’s donor;

Undertake regular field visits to ensure compliance and timely execution of planned activities and collect M&E data as needed and defined in the M&E plan;

Support key project implementation partners develop and manage their M&E project plans;

Continuously monitor and track progress of the implementation of the project;

Liaise with implementing partners and other beneficiaries to gather feedback and comments to support project implementation and improve results;

Ensures the effective implementation of evaluation policies and strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support the planning, management and oversight of project and activity evaluations and other types of evaluations conducted in the project implementation unit; ensure implementation of evaluation recommendations and provide guidance in preparation of timely management response;

Identify and formulate lessons learned from evaluations and studies to be integrated into broader CO knowledge management;

The Regional M&E Analyst will ensure that data and findings from monitoring and evaluations are used for improving project implementation and design and contributing to improving its priorities and results;

Support the development of evaluation tools and processes, innovative approaches in evaluation that meet the requirements of the project and UNDP

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of monitoring and evaluation, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Collaboration and coordination with other UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations on monitoring and evaluation issues;

Participation in evaluation community remaining abreast of latest development and professional norms, standards, tools and methodologies;

Support project staff with effective use of tools and methodologies for planning, monitoring and reporting; support to project staff for the implementation of the M&E system, project coherence, benchmarking and measuring of indicators at outcome level;

Promotion of evaluation standards, quality assurance/control and capacity development in the project team and with the national implementation units;

Support to project staff in identification, documentation, drafting of best practices and lessons learned;

Develop evaluation tools and processes, innovative approaches in evaluation that meet the requirements of UNDP;

Effective showcase to external stakeholders on progress made and impacts delivered;

Participation in results-oriented monitoring and evaluation training efforts as required.

The key results have an impact on the overall implementation, monitoring, evaluation and success of the project. Accurate data analysis, progress reporting, capacity building and presentation of information that provides the most effective showcase to external stakeholders on progress made and impacts delivered.






 

Functional Competencies:        

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
Identifies and clearly communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate

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
Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders
    
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches
Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things

Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization
Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors and contributes towards Resource Mobilization and Partnership Strategy
    
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things

Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches
    
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks

Analyzes the requirements and synthesizes proposals

Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning

Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
    
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals
Maintains a functioning network of contacts with the Government, the media and civil society
   
Client Orientation
Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion

Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
 

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  

Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment

Self-development, initiative-taking

Acting as a team player and facilitating team work

Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively

Creating synergies through self-control

Managing conflict

Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member

Informed and transparent decision making

Knowledge of Results Based programming and tools such as Prince2, UNDP Monitoring and Evaluation Guide
 

Education:

Master’s in Public Administration/Project Management or any related.

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years progressively relevant experience at the national and/or international level in monitoring & evaluation, audit management or public policy;  

Experience in monitoring and evaluation with a background in the analysis of citizen security  and related policy matters;

Experience in policy implementation and/or project management will be a distinct asset;

Previous experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.);

Previous work in any of the beneficiary countries is highly desirable;

Experience in working with governments, donors, non-governmental organisations and international development organisations would be highly desirable;  

Previous work experience in a UN agency/within the UN Common System would be a distinct asset.
 

Language Requirements:

Fluency in oral and written English