Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Job Summary

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

 

Job Requirements

Job Specific Context 

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist will be part of the Aid Coordination and Effectiveness Section of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UN RCO) in Afghanistan. The incumbent will support implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting under the UNSFA and the humanitarian-basic human needs coordination architecture, and will help strengthen system-wide data coherence and evidence-informed policy advice. The incumbent will report to the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office and will submit activity reports and other required documentation to UNOPS in accordance with applicable contractual and administrative procedures. 

Role Purpose 

The M&E Specialist will strengthen system-wide monitoring, evaluation, learning, data analysis and reporting across the UN’s engagement in Afghanistan. The position will ensure the effective tracking of results, quality and coherence of programme, financing and performance data, and provide evidence-based analysis to support strategic planning, informed decision-making, accountability and learning under the UNSFA and the humanitarian-basic human needs-development nexus. The role will also contribute to strengthening inter-agency M&E systems, results frameworks, reporting mechanisms, data governance and capacity development across UN entities and partners.`

Functions / Key Results Expected 

 

• Coordinate and support inter-agency monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting efforts, and provide technical advice to the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office. 

• Maintain and strengthen a comprehensive, risk-informed and conflict-sensitive system for monitoring and reporting on the UNSFA, its Joint Work Plans and relevant humanitarian-basic human needs linkages.  

• Serve as the UN RCO focal point for M&E within the Programme Management Team (PMT), its relevant task teams and other inter-agency mechanisms. 

• Support the PMT in developing and updating UNSFA Joint Work Plans, results frameworks, indicators, baselines and targets, and coordinate timely and quality-assured updates in UN INFO.

• Coordinate agency-specific monitoring and reporting capacities and engage, as appropriate, with the Afghanistan Coordination Group (ACG) and other partners to promote coherent approaches, reduce duplication and improve the use of evidence.

• Liaise closely with UN agency M&E, data and reporting focal points, and with relevant ACG members, to collect, validate and analyse accurate information on implementation progress, results, financing, geographic coverage and identified gaps.

• Work closely with the UNCT, PMT and relevant results groups or thematic mechanisms to facilitate data collection, analysis and the preparation of periodic and annual collective reports in a One UN voice.

• Work closely with the Data and Visualization Officer and relevant technical teams to develop and maintain accessible dashboards, maps, infographics and analytical products based on verified UN and partner data.

• Ensure that results and monitoring frameworks comply with results-based management principles and integrate human rights, gender equality, leave no one behind, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity and risk-informed programming.

• Consolidate, analyse and synthesize collective UN results and financing data for periodic reporting through UN INFO, the UNCT Annual Results Report, funding and indicator fact sheets, and other strategic products.

• Support independent evaluations, reviews and evaluability assessments of the UNSFA and other collective frameworks, including preparation of terms of reference, evidence repositories, stakeholder consultations, quality assurance, management responses and follow-up tracking.

• Coordinate with the UNCT on the timely provision, validation and reconciliation of programme, results and financial data, and document data limitations and methodological caveats.

• Serve as secretariat support to the inter-agency Data Working Group and engage relevant task teams and stakeholders to advance common data standards, metadata, interoperability, data-sharing protocols and a harmonized approach across UN and partner data systems.

• Contribute to Common Country Analysis updates, strategic foresight and trend analysis, end-of-cycle reviews and the design of subsequent UN strategic frameworks, as required.

• Develop and improve UN reporting templates, guidance and quality-assurance tools, and strengthen staff capacity in M&E, data quality, analysis and reporting.

• Develop training packages and organize capacity-development activities for relevant UN personnel and partners.

• Prepare evidence-based briefing notes, talking points, presentations and other analytical products for the Resident Coordinator, the RCO, senior delegations and visitors on UN results, financing, vulnerabilities and operational trends in Afghanistan.

• Prepare and distribute concise records of decisions and action points from relevant coordination meetings, and monitor follow-up.

• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor. 

Skills  Analytical Skills, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Data Visualization, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, Quality Assurance, Strategic Planning, Results oriented Competencies  Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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. Education Requirements 

Required

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in monitoring and evaluation, statistics, economics, social sciences, public policy, development studies, data science or another relevant field is required.

• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

 

 

Experience Requirements 

Required

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, data collection and analysis, strategic planning or reporting is required. 

• Proven experience in developing results frameworks, indicators, M&E systems and reporting or data-visualization tools is required. 

 

Desired

• Experience with UN INFO or comparable results-reporting platforms, data-quality assurance, and quantitative and qualitative analytical methods is desirable.

• Experience working in a complex humanitarian, fragile or conflict-affected setting is desirable. 

• Familiarity with the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, inter-agency coordination, evaluations and strategic foresight is desirable. 

Language Requirements 

Language	Proficiency Level	Requirement
English	Fluent	Required