UNOPS LICA 7 Snr Monitoring and Evaluation Associate

Location:                                    Skopje, North Macedonia
Type of Contract:                       UNOPS Local Individual Contractor Agreement, Level 7


1. Organizational context

The Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Associate is based in a Country Operation; it is part of the Programme Unit or the Executive Office and reports to the Programme Officer or Executive Management.
The purpose of this position is to support the Operation in achieving the intended results by ensuring that interventions are designed in a results based manner, progress is tracked against the set plans, informed decisions are made and resources are allocated optimally. The incumbent will be instrumental in determining what works, or does not work, and why and grounding future planning and activities on quality data and evidence. In this vein, the Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Associate will provide guidance and support to develop and implement monitoring and evaluation plans.
The work of the incumbent will be guided by UNHCR¿s Manual, UNHCR's corporate and regional strategic priorities, operation plans, UNHCR¿s Evaluation Policy and Strategy, UNHCR¿s Decentralized Evaluation Guidelines, and other relevant institutional rules and regulations.
The incumbent will work together with all units in the Operation, particularly with Information Management and Project Control, and with partners, persons of concern, the UN, private sector and other relevant stakeholders in line with the overall UNHCR directions. S/he is expected to work in line with the results-based management (RBM) and multi-functional team (MFT) approaches, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.

2. Duties and responsibilities

Monitoring and evaluation
¿ Contribute to the design of strategies and operational plans; develop related monitoring and evaluation plans and frameworks, define processes, tools (quantitative and qualitative) and indicators across all implementation modalities (partnerships, direct implementation, operational partnerships), to measure, analyse and understand progress and impact of different interventions under the Multi-Year Strategy, in line with the age, gender and diversity approach.
¿ Provide technical support for the implementation of the M&E plan by performing a variety of technical, operational and administrative tasks, preparing related materials/documentations.
¿ Harmonize monitoring and evaluation across different levels (COMPASS, UNSDCF and projects) and ensure alignment with RBM and MFT principles.
¿ Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) and multi-partner meetings/events on evaluations to collaborate and select and design indicators for multi-partner initiatives.
¿ Support collection of M&E data, including data from partners, primary, secondary, qualitative, quantitative and disaggregated in close collaboration with the Programme and IM staff.
¿ Compile, review and analyse monitoring reports and data of partners and teams, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies. Generate monitoring and progress reports on a regular basis.
¿ Support the management of monitoring systems, including entry, aggregation, analysis, reporting and sharing of data based on agreed protocols and standards.
¿ Work with the MFT in planning and conducting monitoring activities and visits, the documentation of findings and the follow up to recommendations.
¿ Based on the evaluation plan, draft terms of reference for external consultants and initiate the recruitment process to ensure the timely selection and recruitment of evaluators. Facilitate the selection process of consultants and evaluation teams. Ensure that a wide pool of suitable and qualified candidates are aware of potential consultancy opportunities.
¿ Organize materials, briefings and all required administrative arrangements to ensure external consultants are provided appropriate and comprehensive information to successfully conduct evaluations.
¿ Support the preparation of the evaluation budget. Monitor and verify the use of resources for compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure quality of evaluations and evaluative reviews through careful management of the process. Report on critical issues/findings to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
¿ Provide appropriate advice, where relevant, with those responsible for delivering the evaluation recommendations. Follow up with stakeholders to facilitate implementation of evaluation recommendations based on the findings.

Learning and collaboration
¿ Consolidate data, lessons learnt and best practices from various activities to make informed decisions and implement necessary changes to existing and future interventions. Prepare analytical documents highlighting critical areas for management, progress monitoring, oversight and action.
¿ Mainstream evaluation culture across staff and support the building of capacities in project monitoring and data collection and use of such information in development of project/program reports.
¿ Support UNHCR and partners in streamlining UNHCR¿s results-based management monitoring and evaluation standards and procedures and build their capacities for evaluation planning and implementation.
¿ Work with units and multi-functional teams to develop and promote the use of standard and good practice indicators, baselines and M&E practices across the Operation.
¿ Support the development of innovation initiatives and utilize appropriate tools to measure the impact of innovation and collect evidence.
¿ Support the communication team in developing and disseminating results, best practices and success stories based on learning and data collected to showcase impact.
¿ Keep abreast of the latest industry developments in M&E and network with other organizations for best practices.
¿ Perform other related duties as required.

3. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education
- 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
- Field(s) of Education: economics, data science, psychology, sociology, education or other relevant field.


b. Work Experience ¿¿¿¿¿
- Minimum 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Essential
¿ Demonstrated experience in program/project monitoring and evaluation and related processes.
¿ Demonstrated experience in data analysis, management and quality assurance.
¿ Proficiency in written and spoken English and Macedonian. Knowledge of other local languages is an asset.

Desirable
¿ Experience in programme management training and capacity building activities.
¿ Experience with evaluation systems for measuring impact of innovation programs and collecting evidence.
¿ Experience with mainstreaming gender indicators into M&E plans.
¿ Knowledge of and practical experience with Results Based-Management.
¿ Experience with the UN system is an asset.


c. Key Competencies
¿¿¿¿¿
Functional Skills

*MS-Monitoring & Evaluation
*IT-Computer Literacy
DM-Data Management
PG-Planning
PG-UNHCR¿s Programmes
PG-Programme Management
PG-Results-Based Management
PG-Assessments and Surveys
IT-Microsoft Excel
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential

Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation


Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management
Change Capability and Adaptability
Political Awareness HOW TO APPLY

Internal candidates:
Interested internal candidates should apply through MSRP - Self-Service - Recruiting Activities - Careers (please search by Job Opening number or by Location). Please update your personal profiles with all required information in order to be able to apply.

External candidates:
Interested external applicants are also invited to apply online and complete the mandatory motivation letter.  External vacancies are posted on the external UNHCR website and applicants who do not have internal status must apply through the external UNHCR website.  https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html  Careers Career opportunities  Other Opportunities  Vacancies sort by Location or search by Job Opening number.  In case of technical problems, please login with a different browser.

For any technical problems encountered during the online application, please contact the following email address: mcdsk@unhcr.org prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time to resolve the issues.

CVs will not be accepted by email. Only those applications sent through the system will be considered. Applications received after the closing deadline or the ones that are not complete will not be considered. We do not confirm receipt of applications or report on the status of the process. Only the short-listed candidates will be contacted. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

The short-listed candidates will be requested to sit for a test.

UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms gender, disability, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Monday 27 September, 2021 - 00h00 - Geneva time