Monitoring, Evaluation and Communications Officer

Monitoring, Evaluation and Communications Officer

Job categories: Project Management
Vacancy code: VA/2023/B5516/26913
Department/office: AR, SAMCO, Nepal
Duty station: Kathmandu, Nepal
Contract type: Local ICA Specialist
Contract level: LICA Specialist-8
Duration: Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or satisfactory performance

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Background Information – Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been supporting Nepal by implementing projects since 2007. It was established as a country office for Nepal in 2015 and operates under South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), Colombo.

The UNOPS Nepal Office has implemented Projects in all seven provinces of Nepal with key government partners; the Nepal Police (Ministry of Home Affairs), the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Provincial Governments. Supporting Nepal’s development plan and the 2030 Agenda, the Nepal Office is implementing projects in post-earthquake reconstruction, security and justice, field monitoring and coordination and in recent times– immediate health support to respond to Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) crisis. Within the reconstruction portfolio, the Nepal Office provided socio-technical assistance to individual households, developed innovative approaches for retrofitting earthquake-damaged homes and delivered services to the most vulnerable households, ensuring nobody is left behind.

With a steady growth of the country portfolio in recent years and a new strategic direction, UNOPS Nepal is looking to strengthen the Monitoring and Evaluation capacity of the country office as well as ongoing and upcoming projects under the country office..

Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager the M&E and Communications Officer is responsible for developing and implementing the M&E plans for the Nepal Office as well as projects implemented by the Nepal office and ensuring all reporting requirements are timely met..

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager the Monitoring, Evaluation and Communications Officer is responsible for efficient reviewing, monitoring and evaluation of the project’s planned activities and implementation progress. They contribute to the design of monitoring tools to collect relevant and required data for monitoring of project activities, and provide training as necessary to Facilitating Partners (FPs) and other stakeholders on the monitoring tools and plan.

Summary of Key Functions

1. Planning and monitoring
2. Training and support
3. Data management and reporting
4. Evaluation and learning

1. Planning and Monitoring

• Lead on the development of detailed monitoring plans for the projects, covering all aspects of the projects that need to be reported upon, in a time bound manner. The plans will include monitoring responsibilities, key indicators, frequency for monitoring, etc., allocated for the key relevant actors of the projects. The plan should cover all indicators stated in the legal agreements, the Results Framework, and/or in the Project Initiation Document (PID).
• Design monitoring tools to collect the required data to respond to the project’s Results Framework indicators, to monitor implementation quality and to adhere to the Project Initiation Document (PID).
• Conduct monitoring and supervision field visits, and support other relevant stakeholders in conducting the monitoring field visits, against the approved monitoring plan.
• Prepare communications strategy and plan for the Nepal Country Office and monitor the plans regularly.

2. Training and Support

• Train field level staff and project personnel in the use of the project related documents and the data collection methodology.
• Training all relevant staff and personnel on the Monitoring Plans created for the projects and the country office.
• Support the Partnerships team in preparing project concept notes and project proposals.

3. Data Management and Reporting

• Develop an efficient database for compiling, analyzing and reporting monitoring findings for various projects under the Nepal Country Office.
• Compile and analyze data and prepare monthly and quarterly detailed monitoring reports in line with project requirements, ensuring all key findings from the monitoring of the reporting period for projects are summarized and highlighted for the management’s attention.
• Prepare monthly internal quantitative/output-based reports for quick review for the management.
• Prepare the UNOPS sections of the Project based monthly/quarterly progress reports and submit the same to the Project Managers within 14 days of the close of each reporting month and quarter. This includes updates on all indicators in the Results Framework for the projects implemented by the Nepal office.
• Support the project management teams to prepare for Implementation Support Missions’ (ISMs) overall management, M&E sessions, including data collection, analysis, reporting, presentation preparations, attendance and participation in the sessions.

4. Evaluation and Learning

• Support all the project management team in coordinating and/or conducting short, thematic internal evaluations to analyze trends, deviations from procedures, challenges, gaps, lessons learned from the implemented projects actively contribute in the regular updating of project related implementation policies or procedural guidelines etc.
• Support the partnerships team to incorporate lessons learnt from completed projects while developing new engagements.
• Support the country team in conducting impact evaluations as necessary for the completed projects.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer ensures the project is delivered according to the Project’s design and as per the Results Framework, that key data is regularly shared and is accessible to key stakeholders, and that projects are in compliance with Environmental and Social safeguards requirements. It confirms UNOPS’ role as a key and trusted partner to the donors, and UNOPS’ position as a critical service provider, in all challenging work environments. Given the current political and humanitarian situation in Nepal, the projects implemented under the Nepal office would support and strengthen UNOPS presence and visibility in Nepal.

Monitoring and progress controls will be in accordance with work plans developed under the various projects that the Project Managers and the incumbent will prepare at the beginning of each assignment.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree is the minimum academic requirement for this role.
• Bachelor Degree, preferably in monitoring and evaluation, business administration, development studies or public administration or any relevant field is highly preferred.
• A Master degree will also have an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of progressive experience (or more depending on academic credentials) in monitoring, evaluation, communication and reporting and data analysis is required
• Experience in humanitarian and development project experience, including social mobilization and monitoring and evaluation activities is desirable.
• Experience in liaison with government authorities, development and humanitarian agencies and community based organizations is desirable.
• Experience in pre and post community based technical assistance, quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation activities will be an asset.
• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills including the use of software to present data is desired.
• Experience in field based qualitative social research methods will have an added advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English and Nepali language is required.

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Application period: 20-Dec-2023 to 03-Jan-2024