Job Description

The Position:

The Regional Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (ME&L) Adviser provides overall technical advice and quality assurance for results and evidence-based planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, and leads strengthening of capacities and knowledge generation, management and dissemination on these issues. More specifically, they provide oversight, leadership and coordination of the evaluation and results-based management function in the region. They provide expert advice on ensuring the quality of all evaluation processes and products in conformity with the UNFPA Evaluation Policy and UNFPA evaluation quality standards.

The Regional ME&L Adviser works in close collaboration with the Independent Evaluation Office which is the custodian of the evaluation function in UNFPA. On results planning, monitoring and reporting issues, they collaborate with the Programme Division.

The Regional ME&L Adviser reports directly to the Regional Director (and functionally to the Independent Evaluation office) for the evaluation portfolio, and to the Deputy Regional Director for monitoring and knowledge management portfolio.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Regional ME&L Adviser promotes a culture of results and evidence-based programme management in the region. He/ she provides leadership and guidance to the implementation of corporate policies, procedures, principles, monitoring, reporting and evaluation norms and standards at regional and national level, to ensure relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the work of UNFPA in the region. The adviser will work within an integrated and coordinated approach, which is fundamental to the Regional Office and UNFPA’s overall strategy.

You would be responsible for:

A. Strategic Results Support

Contribute to the formulation of the Regional Programme, drawing upon the analysis of evaluative evidence of UNFPA support in the region and evidence stemming from corporate evaluations.
Ensure the integration of evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations in regional and country-level programming;
Provide support for planning, monitoring, reporting of the regional, sub-regional and country programmes in the region, ensuring the design and implementation of robust results and resources frameworks;
Promote results-based monitoring and use of monitored data in the country offices.
Provide oversight of regional and country programmes;
Develop and lead the implementation of annual work plans for regional programme and/or thematic evaluations;
Ensure result-based monitoring and evaluation plans are implemented, and results acted upon at country and regional levels

B. Capacity Development

Conduct regional and country-level capacity-building initiatives and workshops in order to strengthen a culture of results and evidence-based programme management in UNFPA and partner institutions;
Ensure that all M&E officers/ focal points and staff in the region are knowledgeable about UNFPA M&E policies and procedures, norms, standards and guidance;
Participate in Independent Evaluation Office and Programme Division training and workshops;
Contribute to the development and adaptation of tools and guidance as well as training materials and manuals in monitoring and evaluation and support their use for capacity development of partner institutions and UNFPA staff in the region;
Contribute to monitoring and analysis of reports on humanitarian, economic, political and social factors in development and management of population and development programmes, such as the UNFPA-supported country programmes and sub-regional programme;
Contribute to identify and validate regional monitoring and evaluation experts;
Coordinate the Country Offices M&E Focal Points Network to highlight innovations and Programme Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) bottle necks in the region;
Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and tools for monitoring and evaluation, to the efforts of Program Support Division and the independent Evaluation Office respectively;

C. Evidence and knowledge development, management and dissemination

Contribute to the analysis, synthesis and dissemination of state-of-the-art knowledge and new approaches to monitoring and evaluation practice, in particular best practices, and make recommendations for their adoption at regional and sub-regional levels;
Support the Regional Office in ensuring the incorporation of monitoring and evaluation results and lessons learned in the updating of specific substantive strategies, policies, tools and approaches, and ensure their availability in the organizational system for lessons learned;
Disseminate to country offices HQ initiatives on results-based approaches;
Develop a comprehensive and interactive Learning and Knowledge management strategy and work plan for the RO, which will promote the learning and uptake of cutting-edge research and materials by and for the country teams, the regional office teams, partners, and target audiences. This includes maximizing opportunities to link and promote strategic collaborations between relevant partners, experts and resource persons, especially including the regional office and 23 country offices.
Lead and/or contribute to production of key program reports and publications drawing on innovative use of technology for wider use
Develop and/or Identify platforms and networks for knowledge dissemination

D. Oversight and technical support to regional and country offices in the implementation of the UNFPA Evaluation Policy

Advise regional director, deputy regional director, and country representatives/heads of office on planning and funding for evaluations of projects and programmes, as well as evaluation staffing and evaluation management arrangements;
Contribute to IEO efforts to develop country office evaluation capacities and support the development of evaluation capacities of UNFPA partners, including young evaluators;
Support the implementation of IEO-managed activities in the region and managing the regional elements of the evaluation pooled fund, once established;
Lead the development and implementation of the regional evaluation strategy, including the identification of innovative evaluation methodologies, approaches and tools and promoting their incorporation into UNFPA decentralized evaluations in the region;
Lead the preparation and implementation of the regional office costed evaluation plan;
Provide technical advice and quality assurance of evaluations managed by country offices, including technical supervision;
Guide country offices in preparing quality costed evaluation plans (CEPs) and monitor the implementation of CEPs in the region;
Quality assure country programme evaluations (CPEs) and project evaluations (as per CEPs) undertaken by country offices, including review and approval of the terms of reference, pre-qualification of evaluation teams, review and approval of evaluation deliverables;
Quality assure management responses to decentralized evaluations to ensure their timely release and follow up;
Support partnerships with evaluation networks, professional evaluation bodies, national and regional institutions, UN partners, UNEG and other development partners, and promote peer-to-peer learning to further reinforce national evaluation capacity;
Together with the regional communications team, lead and implement strategic communication plans for regional evaluations; foster a culture of communicating and utilizing country level evaluations; cross-fertilize evaluation lessons across country offices and partners; and facilitate the long-term utilization of evaluation evidence in programming and decision-making.

E. Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Key performance indicators

Timely and quality advanced technical support and guidance to country offices in line with workplan
Quality and timely systems for tracking/monitoring developed and implemented
Timely synthesis and submission of quality and accurate reports
Number of monitoring visits to programme countries/ country offices/ implementing partners
Quality and relevant trainings to personnel
Quality and timely support to evaluation processes
Quality and timely implementation of the regional Knowledge and Learning management strategy
Consistent improvement in knowledge accessibility and usage

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Masters degree (or equivalent) in public health, social science, demography, gender, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, management or other related field.

Additional training on monitoring and evaluation are an asset.

Knowledge and Experience:

At least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in international development, of which five years at the international level
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in managing complex regional, country or programme level evaluations including inter-agency and joint evaluations
Strong track record of innovative leadership in managing evaluations, and proven ability to produce high quality evaluations
In-depth, up-to-date understanding and knowledge of global and regional geopolitical issues relevant to UNFPA mandate and the implications for evaluation policy
In-depth, up-to-date understanding and knowledge of methods and techniques to advance international planning, monitoring, and evaluation
Excellent knowledge of programme formulation and implementation and Results Based Management
Experience from Country Offices is a strong asset
Experience in the United Nations, UNFPA and/or other multilateral organization, field work experience, are highly desirable
Experience in one of UNFPA transformative areas is an asset
Strong quantitative, qualitative and analytical research skills
Strong communication skills, ability to translate results, indicators and measurement language into actionable steps for programme colleagues
Ability to synthesize disparate measures, indicators, and results into cohesive narratives on programmatic progress for the purposes of reporting to senior management and donors
Excellent planning, goal setting, prioritization and organizational skills
Strong people management and conflict resolution and negotiation skills
Ability to work across geographical locations

Excellent computer / information systems skills (MS Access, MS Excel, MS Project, MS Word, CS Pro, SPSS, Stata, NVivo, kobo collect, Power bi)
Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence is an asset

Languages:

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable.

Values:
•     Exemplifying integrity,
•     Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
•     Embracing cultural diversity,
•     Embracing change

Core Competencies:
•     Achieving results,
•     Being accountable,
•     Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
•     Thinking analytically and strategically,
•     Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
•     Communicating for impact
Managerial Competencies
•     Providing strategic focus
•     Engaging staff and partners
•     Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance
•     Making decisions and exercise judgment.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

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