Job Description

Background

UNCDF  
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) leverages its unique role within the UN system to deploy grants, loans, and guarantees that crowd-in finance for scaling development impact. With a deliberate focus on the least developed countries, UNCDF supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Programme of Action (2022–2031).

As outlined in its Strategic Framework, UNCDF functions as both a development organization and a development finance institution. It responds to Member States’ requests by providing technical and financial advisory services, designing tailored financial structures, undertaking de-risking of investments, and enhancing the investment readiness of SDG-aligned projects. In partnership with private sector actors, UN organizations, international and local financial institutions, development finance institutions, foundations, and philanthropy, UNCDF works to strengthen local financial systems, foster new markets, and mobilize capital from public and private sources.
Driven by a partnership mindset, UNCDF applies its capital capabilities in flexible, responsive ways to catalyze investment flows—particularly from the private sector. By structuring impactful transactions that multiply the value of its limited resources, UNCDF positions itself as a preferred partner for diverse stakeholders.

UNCDF’s work centers on five priority areas:

• Climate, Clean Energy, and Biodiversity Finance
• Local Transformative Finance
• Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Sustainable Food Systems Finance
• Inclusive Digital Economies

Following a recent restructuring, UNCDF’s organizational setup includes: the Investment and Implementation Division (IID), the Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), the Operations and Oversight Division (OOD), and the Executive Office Directorate. Staff are based in regional hubs in Dakar, Nairobi, and Bangkok, with sub-regional offices in the Caribbean and Pacific. The Executive Secretary, based in New York, leads the organization. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321 (XXII), the UNDP Administrator also serves as UNCDF’s Managing Director. Oversight is provided by the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA, and UNOPS.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The M&E and Learning Analyst will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Digital Finance Project Manager of the Afghanistan Digital Prosperity Project. 

The M&E and Learning Analyst will work closely with the Digital Finance Project Manager, UNCDF partners, from the private sector (including but not limited to commercial banks, mobile network operators, fintech, payment institutions, microfinance institutions, remittance service providers etc), as well as development partners, such as other UN Agencies, donor organizations, civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations to implement a robust M&E framework.

Support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for UNCDF Country Office (CO): 

• Lead on the development of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks for the initiatives for UNCDF Afghanistan, collecting and analyzing data, and providing insights to inform decision-making and improve project performance. 
• Define the indicators, data collection methods, and evaluation methodologies by reviewing project documentation, consulting stakeholders, and aligning with best practices; 
• Design and implement a monitoring mechanism to check and ensure the timely implementation of all activities in country including development of performance indicators and success criteria 
• Develop, implement, and maintain systems and processes to capture, organize, store, retrieve, and share knowledge within UNCDF; 
• Leverage data-driven insights to improve the effectiveness of training programmes, identify areas for improvement, and drive overall learning strategy; 
• Conduct data analysis and interpret the findings on digital transformation and data-driven insights for the data collected from the relevant partners and stakeholders;  
• Assess the effectiveness and impact of the initiatives within UNCDF projects in Afghanistan. 
• Follow up on the implementation of evaluation recommendations, ensuring the optimal use of evaluations findings by leading in the preparation of timely management responses as required 
• Support in the data quality assessment process, collecting and quality assuring data for the reporting and result measurement.  
• Participate in the events, meetings, discussion and other gathering required by the UNCDF.  

Ensures the monitoring and data collection from partners  

• Develop the data collection instruments, piloting and using the tools for regular data collection required by the UNCDF. 
• Conduct regular data quality assessments to ensure accuracy, and M&E data should be analysed to assess progress, identify trends, and measure outcomes. 
• Provide support in assessing the effectiveness and impact of the initiatives within UNCDF projects in Afghanistan. 
• Work closely with the relevant stakeholders such as financial institutions, and other identified by the UNCDF. 
• Collect regular data on digital payments and financial interventions from the relevant partners and stakeholders with active collaboration to gather and disseminate relevant reports and case studies .
• Producing visual contents from the data collected from the implementing partners, and Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) for UNCDF initiatives. 
• Conduct site visits and share the visit findings with project manager and program associate for improvements. 
• Review the reports and data shared by the implementing partners, stakeholder and other entities.  

Support data management, knowledge sharing, and learning: 

• Optimizing, and enhancing learning and development initiatives for UNCDF projects in Afghanistan. 
• Develop the knowledge products considering the data collected from the implementing partners. 
• Share and follow-up on recommendations, and using M&E findings to provide feedback for continuous improvement and decision-making process; 
• Provide technical support to the team in drafting knowledge products such as knowledge briefs, success stories, evaluation and other reports; 
• Provide support in organizing events, developing reports, and producing success stories in collaboration with project associate and project manager; 
• Store the knowledge and learning products including progress reports, evaluation and studies, and briefs in the share folders;
• Contribute to building the capacity of other team members to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of the projects; 
• Prepare presentations and briefings including performance monitoring charts and tables on all the results achieved by the projects, or as deemed necessary for internal or donor reporting.  
• Analyze, optimize, and enhance learning and development initiatives for UNCDF projects in Afghanistan. 
• Develop, implement, and maintain systems and processes to capture, organize, store, retrieve, and share knowledge within UNCDF. 
• Be responsible for leveraging data-driven insights to improve the effectiveness of training programs, identify areas for improvement, and drive overall learning strategy 

Support resources mobilization and projects formulation: 

• Create insights for the decision making on the basis of data analysis related to the UNCDF, and share those insights and results with management to formulate new inititatives;  
• Develop the TOR for the evaluation, researches, and studies required for the UNCDF initiatives, and review the reports and provide technical inputs; 
• Visualize the M&E and research data includes; tabulating the data, creating charts and themes, and using the visualization for progress; 
• Prepare background information and documentation, update relevant data for the project and compile background material for donors 
• Support the development of project proposals – particularly the performance indicators and M&E plans

Support the measurement of Project outcome  

• Provide technical support to the project team in terms of measuring the intended results or programme outcome; 
• Develop the TOR for measuring the result or impact of UNCDF initiatives that includes mid-term review and evaluation of the digitalization initiatives; 
• Store the result measurement products, such as result reporting, project evaluation reports, studies, and documentaries; 
• Provide technical insights related to the project results/outcomes collected and share with the relevant staff to use for future initiatives within UNCDF.  

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
 

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy 

• Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system 

Business Management 

• Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management 
• Results-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making 

Digital 

• Data Storytelling & Communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Economics or associated field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in defining projects/programmes performance indicators, data analysis and results collection.

Desired skills:

• At least 2 years of experience in defining projects/programmes performance indicators, data analysis and results collection with UNCDF or any other UN agencies.   
• At least 2 years of proven experience working in development project teams, with specific responsibilities in results-based management, data collection, analysis, and reporting for donor-funded initiatives.
• Proven experience in preparing analytical reports, briefs, and presentations, ensuring clarity of findings and actionable recommendations.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• At least 2 years of practical experience in monitoring and evaluation of development projects, particularly in private sector development, financial inclusion, or women’s economic empowerment. 
•  Experience with international development and donor-funded projects; 
• Prior experience with UN or similar organizations.
• Proficiency in statistical and data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, Power BII or advanced Excel).
• Experience in designing and conducting research, assessments, and surveys.  
• Project implementation experience with the international development organization. 

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Pashto and Dari is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.